Search - Clyde Mcphatter :: 18 Hits, Volume Two

Second choice, but not second rate.

10/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those seeking a definitive Dominoes collection on one disc the best choice is "Sixty Minute Men", for that encompasses their entire stay with Federal/King and contains all the hits along with the best of the rest for a stellar twenty track lineup and tells their story well in the liner notes. But for those who simply can not get enough of Clyde McPhatter's lead vocals (and by definition that should include anyone with ears) then this will make for the ideal complimentary package, for it contains all the songs on which Clyde appeared with the Dominoes that did not make "Sixty Minute Men", along with a few that appear on both collections. That means you get a full 8 additional Clyde-led songs to fill your waking hours with joy.This disc comes from the first serious overview of the Dominoes run on the Federal and King labels and originally appeared as part of a four series collection. Volume One has the legitimate hits ("Sixty Minute Man", "Have Mercy Baby", "The Bells" etc.) plus some filler to round it out. Volume Three focuses on the years after McPhatter left and Jackie Wilson took over lead vocals and led them in a more consciously pop direction. Volume Four is a hodgepodge of remaining sides. Though the notes in all of them are skimpy and the pictures (save the cover drawings) non-existant, the full four volume set actually gives you the most Dominoes for your buck. But since inevitably there are those who want just the essentials on one disc the more recent releases fit that bill, adding pics, notes and discography to make a more uniform "Best Of" collection.That being said these other discs are vital in examining the full scope of the Dominoes who were without a doubt the most exciting and versatile R&B group of the day. Even their eventual abandoning of rock 'n' roll for mainstream acceptibility and Vegas lounges was groundbreaking (though not welcome). But "Volume Two - 18 Hits" is before that sad fate, when Clyde McPhatter, the greatest lead vocalist in rock history was at his very best, mining all avenues of song in his inimitable fashion. Okay, so "Sixty Minute Men" is the best place to start (or Vol. One of this series), but to fill in the blanks you must buy "Vol. 2 - 18 Hits" eventually. One listen to "Don't Leave Me This Way" (sort of a reworking melodically of their hit "I'd Be Satisfied"), "Yours Forever", or "Deep Sea Blues" and any questions as to the practicality of buying a second Dominoes collection will have been answered. Life just isn't complete until you hear every note Clyde McPhatter sang with the Dominoes. Nobody ever sang better. Maybe nobody ever will."