PIONEERS OF SOUL
Lynn Walker | Providence, RI United States | 12/30/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD shows the hard driving groove of the Five Royales at their best - guitar showmanship of Lowman Pauling, leads by Johnny Tanner and the fine harmonies that came from their Gospel days (Royal Sons) are briefly remembered before their risque and rocking secular explosion into the bluesy R&B that was just getting into the shooting star that launched the well-known "godfathers of soul". Listening to this disc shows that the spark was alive and well pre-1955 with these dudes - they had all the elements of the best soul groups - only their genre of music lacked a specific name. What was obvious then 'til now is the smooth arrangements, the perfect timing. It's as great to hear now as it was then."