Some of the best Whispers recordings...ever!
William Blackshear | West Orange, NJ USA | 12/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Alas, will this 2 cd import (Sanctuary/Castle), as certain others before it have, reach the point of "Here today, gone, and pricey tommorow"? The belief here is that all Whisper's fans who know of their history, dating back to the mid-60s, beginning with their debut release, of the now very rare album on Dore Records (commanding upwards of $250.00 for a mint copy), and their 2nd album release, on the Soul Clock label (1969), already have this great cd package safely tucked in their music collections, how not?. For those who do not possess, cd history shows us, prices soar on certain cds once out of print, especially imports. Because the Whispers history dates back to the 60s, their album releases cover several decades. For many Whispers fans, knowledge of their music is tied to the era the fan heard their music currently released at that time. The group's 2nd lp, on Soul Clock also commands a hefty price tag for a mint copy! For years and to this day, record collectors familiar with old school soul music, seek until they find the 3 albums released by the group on the Janus Label, and although they don't command as lofty the numbers of their 2 predecessors, nevertheless if unearthed in mint condition, they're not cheap. This stellar effort by yet another foreign music company provides the world with all 3 Janus albums-- "Love Story", "Life And Breath", "Bingo", AND to show they know their business, include the even harder to find 45s that were released on the Janus label, specifically the almost impossible to find 45 "All I Ever Do (Is Think About You)". For a Whisper's fan this "Complete Janus Recordings" provides all, in one "smooth as a Whispers ballad" move. Later 70s and 80s Soul Train and Solar label lps on cd have been availible also, however if the reader is not aware the first lp on Dore, still circulates, commercially released, on the market.
This release-- the title says it all "Bingo, The Janus Recordings"! 5 Stars the day it was released!"
Classic songs from the Whispers' early period
Preston | nc | 02/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Last year I got to listen to their 1974 song, Bingo, for the first time from their Anthology 2-CD set. So, from someone who's very familiar with their '80s/'90s hits like And The Beat Goes On, Lady, Rock Steady, Innocent, this is very smartly done for a collection to recall their Janus years. Bingo sounds so superb, its funky disco-driven rhythms and its casino driven themes in the song lyrics. Another good song here is Mother for my Children. Another favorite is I Only Meant to Wet Your Feet, one of their luscious ballads. The Scott brothers' harmonies along with the group anchor the songs so very sumptuously. This is a good chance for anyone to hear where it all started for the Whispers with their earlier songs."
Track Listings (36) - Disc #1