Customer Reviews

Bingo: The Janus Recordings 1972-1974

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

Before the years with solor records,soul train records their was the janus lable.To me this is the real sound of the whispers you can hear the hunger in there,s a love for everyone.The classic somebodys loves you and i only meant to wet my feet are the whispers at their very best.If you are a fan of and the beat goes on and rock steady buy this cd and really hear how the whispers sound enjoy!

This is good old school soul, and I like it better than their late 70's and 80's material, BUT Unidisc had a two disc compliation of ALL their recordings with Janus from '69 to '72, that's four lp's worth on two discs. That's quite a bargin for the money (I paid $20). Look for that one. Grrrrrrrrrreat stuff. With all due respect to those fans of their more recent stuff, I have to disagree that The Whispers got better with time. Listen to the Janus recordings and you may agree.