Search - Shirley & Lee :: Let the Good Times Roll

Only part of the story

Zub | Forks Twp., PA | 07/21/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This compilation summarizes the musical story of the small independent Coed label during its relatively brief existence during the later 50s and early 60s. Many of the tunes are from two of the label's powerhouse artists, the Crests and the Duprees. Many of these groups' best-known hits are here ("16 Candles", "You Belong To Me", "Have You Heard", et al) along with some rarities not often found on CD such as Trade Martin's "That Stranger Used To Be My Girl" and non-charting 45s such as the Calendars' "I'm Gonna Laugh At You". As can be expected, Ace Records has done an excellent production job here with superior sound quality and many tracks in stereo (3,4,10,12-20,22-26,28-30). Some tracks, "Step By Step" for one, make you feel you're right in the studio recording session. There's a major disappointment here however, as one of Coed's biggest artists, Adam Wade, is not represented here at all, as his catalog did not stay with Coed after leaving the label. This omission keeps this disc from earning 5 stars as it can't really tell the Coed story without Wade's contributions. There's so much other great listening here though, that it's still a worthwhile addition to any collection of pre-Beatles classic American r'n'r."