Search - Joey Dee & Starlighters :: Hey Let's Twist: Best of

Almost Perfect

03/13/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The only thing wrong with this fantastic album is that it doesn't include all the tracks that were on the original "Live at the Peppermint Lounge" album--which I would love to see re-released. But it includes several of them, and they are definitive early-rock live tracks. You can practically feel the heat and the crowds as these guys get into grooves that are just brilliant. The organist, in the days before those tinny electronic organs, can suddenly swoop in and move everything to a whole new level of intensity--especially on the "Hot Pastrami" jam. And the drummer's left hand must have been a blur all night long--beautiful high-speed shuffle work that just doesn't quit. I used to sit in my room in the midwest when I was about 12 and listen to this album and dream of having a club like this with music like this in my town. Unfortunately, there never was another one like this."

A Super Twist CD From The 60s

05/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have this CD and love it. I personally saw The Starliters live at The Peppermint Lounge in New York City when I was a teenager of 18, back in the 60s. They simply blew my socks off, especially the organist. They have something very special that will never die! Maybe that's why, at every wedding or party I've gone to, they always play "SHOUT". It's the one song that gets everybody out of their seats and onto the dance floor, both young & old. The sound quality is excellent too. I strongly recommend adding this CD to your collection."

Breeding Ground For Some Great Stars

09/04/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One thing I noticed straight off. If you search under artists name this particular volume will not pop up. Amazon may wish to correct that.



In the meantime, how many are aware that actor Joe Pesci once played guitar with this band in 1961 while at the Peppermint Lounge in New York City? OR, that Jimi Hendrix also worked briefly with the group while they performed at Joseph DiNicola's [Joey Dee] Starliter Club in 1966? OR, that later members Felix Cavaliere, Gene Cornish, and Eddie Brigati went on to form the Young Rascals/Rascals in the late 1960's? You can't get much more influential than that! Are you listening R&R Hall of Fame Foundation?



As for this album, it's a dream for completist collectors in that, unlike many claiming to offer the "best of", this one delivers, including five pages of informative liner notes by Steve Kolanjian, David Brigati and Kate Blacklock, and several nice shots of Joey and the group in action. There is also a complete discography of their work.



In 1962 and 1963 Joey, organist Carlton Latimor, drummer Willie Davis, and vocalists/dancers Larry Vernieri and David Brigati, put nine songs into the Billboard Pop Hot 100, and ALL are here, along with three of the uncharted B-sides.



Their first was also their best as Peppermint Twist - Part 1 [inspired by the famous Peppermint Lounge] rose to # 1 Hot 100 and # 8 R&B early in 1962 for the Roulette label (Part 2 was the B-side). Keeping with the prevalent twist theme, Hey, Let's Twist peaked at # 20 Hot 100 in March while the flipside, Roly Poly, made it to # 74 on its own.



Their second-best followed in May when Shout - Part 1 went to # 6 [Part 2 - the B-side - is omitted], and in September the Johnny Nash-penned What Kind Of Love Is This? from the film Two Tickets To Paris hit # 18 Hot 100 [its flipside, Wing-Ding, is also omitted]. 1962 then ended with I Lost My Baby, billed only to Joey Dee, reaching # 61 Hot 100 b/w Keep Your Mind On What You're Doing.



Joey was also the only credited artist on Baby, You're Driving Me Crazy which only made it to # 100 in February b/w Help Me Pick Up The Pieces. The entire group's name then appeared on their last Top 40 in May when Hot Pastrami With Mashed Potatoes -Part 1 reached # 36, while Joey again appeared as the only name on Dance, Dance, Dance, a # 89 in August 1963 b/w Let's Have A Party [not here].



Those who lament the omission of some album cuts should have heeded the title, for this is indeed, in every way, shape and form, "the best" of Joey Dee & The Starliters."