Search - Du Droppers :: Golden Classics

Often Overlooked

09/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rarely, if ever, does a retrospective on the early 1950s vocal groups include The Du Droppers. Too bad because they possessed one of the best harmonious sounds of that era. Why they didn't have more success [just two charted singles] is puzzling, especially considering that, unlike most black groups of the day, they had the backing of a major label - RCA Victor.



Furthermore, lead singer Caleb Ginyard from New York City had a solid backround, leading The Jubalaires from 1936 to 1946 and was a big part of two 1946 R&B hits by Andy Kirk And His Clouds Of Joy [I Know and I Don't Know What I'd Do Without You]. In 1948, as lead singer for The Dixieaires, he scored again with Go Long [# 9 R&B].



Caleb then merged his deep booming voice with those of Willie Ray, Harvey Ray, and Bob Komegay to form The Du Droppers in the early Fifties, and in 1953 had back-to-back R&B hits with the up-tempo I Wanna Know [# 3 R&B] b/w Laughing Blues [tracks 7 and 8] and, shortly thereafter, an "answer" song to their first hit, I Found Out [What You Do When You Go 'Round There], also a # 3 R&B. Unfortunately the b-side, Little Girl, Little Girl is not included.



What kept them from further hits is anyone's guess. They certainly showed they could handle fast numbers such as the two hits and Boot 'em Up [track 2], as well as melancholy ballads like Ten Past Midnight [track 10].



With them having many of the same qualities as The Ravens and Orioles, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this CD to anyone seeking the music that influenced many of the great groups to come, such as The Moonglows, Charms, and Flamingos.

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