Search - Clovers :: Clovers / Dance Party

"Mighty Clovers" Indeed

09/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dr. Jive hung the title for this review on the group, as indicated in the superb 9-page liner notes by Marv Goldberg, and when you listen to this amazing 25-selection CD from Collectables you'll see why.



From their first Atlantic hit in 1951 [Don't You Know I Love You - # 1 R&B] to their last in 1956 [Love, Love, Love - # 4 R&B and # 30 Bilboard Pop Top 100] they chalked up a total of 21 hit R&B singles. In this package, which pulls together two of their early Atlantic LPs, you get 14 of them, along with four of their uncharted flipsides.



In addition to Don't You Know I Love You, their other two # 1 hits are here as well: Fool, Fool, Fool from 1951 which was covered by Kay Starr in 1952, and Ting-A-Ling from 1952, recorded several years later by the great Buddy Holly. Other Clovers hits in this set fastened onto by others include 1954's Lovey Dovey [Buddy Knox in 1961], Blue Velvet from 1955 [Bobby Vinton in 1963], Devil Or Angel in 1956 [Bobby Vee in 1960], and its flipside Hey Doll Baby which the Everly Brothers did on one of their first LPs, and 1956's Love, Love, Love which was covered that same year by The Diamonds. My favourite is Down In The Alley from their original LP Dance Party which Elvis Presley did in his 1966 soundtrack LP Spinout.



Starting out as a trio in 1946 [Harold Lucas, Thomas Woods and Billy Shelton], they were soon joined by John Bailey. Before that decade ended Mathew McQuator had replaced Woods, Harold Winley took over from Shelton, and a fifth Clover was added in the form of guitarist Bill Harris. Following their first few hits in 1951/52 Bailey went into the army, being replaced by Billy Mitchell. When Bailey returned from service he re-joined the group which then became a sextet [a rare photo of which is featured on the back of the CD.



Alternating between raw beat ballads like the first hit mentioned above and Fool, Fool, Fool, they were also adept at harmonic ballads like Blue Velvet and jump novelty items such as 1952's Hey Miss Fannie [# 2 R&B] and Nip Sip, a # 10 R&B in 1955.



In 1958 they moved over to United Artists where their only single hit would also be their biggest: 1959's immortal Love Potion # 9 which made it to # 23 on both the R&B and the more lucrative Billboard Pop Hot 100 and which, of course, became a # 3 Hot 100 for The Searchers in 1965. Although not available in this Atlantic sessions set, it can be found on any number of compilation CDs.



One of the most influential groups leading into the birth of R&R, and long LONG overdue for recognition by that supercilious bunch running the R&R Hall of Fame, this is one you should have in your collection."

Just Plain Great Music

KC | Northern CA | 06/24/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I admit I know/knew nothing about the Clovers except for LOVE POTION #9 (not on this CD) but this CD two-fer is a lot of fun. Nearly every track is great doowop, rockin' r&b, early rock or simply great vocals. Even the sound quality is fine.



I presume most people will start with their greatest hits package but if you're looking for more great early rock 'n roll/doowop, you'd be hard pressed to find better CD's than this two-fer.



Great fun and the sound quality is even pretty good."