The best!!!
Kyle A. Alsberry | Tucson,AZ | 07/03/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This has been on my "Can't wait for the CD version"list for a long time.
I've owned (and still Do) have the vinyl version since way back when.
The arrangment and vocalese of my favorite Chicago group is something to behold. This is a great headphone Lp with fantastic stereo seperation of the voices and instruments. The Dells and Charles Stepney put their foot in this one!! The song selection and harmony is first rate, A must have for any Dells fan."
The absolute BEST vocal arrangements in music history!!!
T. Reynolds | 03/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yes, many individuals and groups have covered these classic Burt Bacharach and Hal David songs before, but no performances of this material by an individual or group are better than this legendary outing by the Mighty, Mighty Dells!
Simply put, the vocal arrangements here are stunning, amazing! Turn your music up, put your head phones on, sit back, relax and just become amazed by these extremely cleaver and rich vocal harmonies (with counter-balancing melodies, strong tenors and falsetto, rich bass and strong baritones, and wonderfully dynamic crescendos and decrescendos), which range from subtle to potent, from intro to coda. The musicianship here is extraordinary (arranged and produced through the genius of Charles Stepney) and, yes, the Dells are better than any other R&B group because, as with their highly rare "Freedom Means" album, they consistently hit all the marks, again and again and again from the 1950s through their performances today, in 2008. For example, there's Chuck Barksdale, the bass singer, singing lead on "Wives & Lovers" who punctuates the close of several measures hitting the lowest of low notes. And there's the counter-balancing background melodies (that right, not one, but several melodies) on "Walk On By" with Marvin Junior's distinctive baritone/tenor leading the way. Oh, and just "feel" the "sound" and the rhythm and bottom of "I don't Know What To Do With Myself" - and listen to Cash McCall on guitar, and Johnny Carter punctuating the rafters singing tenor/falsetto. Oh, yeah, these are The Mighty, Mighty Dells! Every member of The Dells has a turn or two this time out, with Verne Allison singing lead on a couple of songs and Mickey McGill providing great texture to some of the most complex harmonies you'll ever hear!
It does not get any better than this. Again, it does not get any better than this!!!
Buy this album/CD and purchase an additional copy for yourself as a back-up; plus, purchase several additional copies for members of your family, all of your friends, as birthday gifts, Christmas presents, etc.
Seriously, purchase this album/CD. You'll really enjoy it!
Love to all,
Triphewent"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1