Search - Hi-Lo's :: Nice Work If You Can Get It: Best of

Adult music with the verve of youth.

02/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw them a few years ago in Atlanta, and they still sound great!These are from their earliest recordings, before they moved to Columbia. Most of these tracks were released on a double album by MCA in the mid-80's.Isn't it great that we can buy quality music from over four decades ago?"

The one to get if you're only going to get one Hi-Los album

gdpiel@mcmanntate.com | Boston, Massachusetts | 10/12/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Columbia recordings, many of them with reknowned arranger and bandleader Frank Comstock, showcase not only the Hi-Los technical superiority and sense of humor, but also define the style that gave rise to some of today's top pop groups like Boyz 2 Men and the incomparable Take 6. In fact, on these and other groups' album liner notes you'll often find an aknowledgement of appreciation for the Hi-Los, and particularly for Gene Puerling, the quartet's baritone and the vocal arranger of most of their tunes. (He solos on their version of Hoagy Charmichael's "Skylark" - it's the best interpreted I've heard).If you want to hear more of this super-tight harmony, take a listen to a group called Singers Unlimited. This acaplela quartet made their recordings in the '70's, and consisted of two Hi'Los (Puerling and 2nd tenor Don Shelton) bass Len Dresslar and a female singer, the silky-toned (and gorgeous to boot) Bonnie Herman. This group picked up where the Hi-Los left off, overdubbing and multi-tracking their own voices to create the effect of an entire choir.But this is getting way ahead of ourselves. "Nice Work..." is the perfect introduction to this most innovative under-appreciated vocal group. This is one you have to own."

Great collection of their work

gdpiel@mcmanntate.com | 08/11/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Despite a few personnel changes; the Hi-Lo's were one of the top male vocal groups in the 50's-early 60's. I remember seeing them on most of the big variety shows over the years and always admired their singing. It's easy to see where later groups like The Lettermen;Four Freshmen and others learned from. An altogether enjoyable album."