Customer Reviews

Cameo Parkway: The Greatest Hits

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It had really reached the point where I thought that I would never live to see the day. For more than three decades and for reasons that are still unclear, Allen B. Klein, owner of the Cameo-Parkway catalog, had kept all of these recordings off the market. Collectors simply could not understand what was going on. Being unable to purchase the original recordings of popular 1960's artists like Bobby Rydell and Chubby Checker left a huge void in many collections. Finally, in the spring of 2005, Klein saw fit to release the four disc box set "Cameo-Parkway: 1957-1967" and collectors like myself jumped for joy! The box set featured a total of 115 tunes from just about all of the Cameo-Parkway roster of artists many of which could not be found anywhere at any price. However, for many casual collectors of 1960's rock and roll this set was probably more than they wanted or needed.

So in October 2006 the aforementioned Allen B. Klein decided to release this single 25 track disc. Smart move. "Cameo Parkway: The Greatest Hits: features 25 chartbusters from the heyday of the Cameo Parkway family of labels. If you happened to grow up in the early 1960's you are sure to have fond memories of the many dance crazes that marked the period. Here is a great opportunity to once again enjoy Chubby Checker's phenomenal recording of "The Twist" which had the distinction of being a #1 hit in the summer of 1960 and managed to hit the top of the Billboard charts again when it was re-released just a year and a half later. This collection also includes the follow-up to "The Twist". "Let's Twist Again' remains my choice for the best dance record ever made. And while you're at it give a listen to some of the other dance records that kids were movin' and a-groovin' to during those years such as The Dovell's doing "The Bristol Stomp", Bobby Rydell's "The Cha-Cha-Cha" and Dee Dee Sharpe's "Mashed Potato Time". Fans of 60's pop are sure to enjoy a pair of memorable tunes from The Tymes. "So Much In Love" went all the way to the top of the charts in the summer of '63 and the follow-up "Wonderful, Wonderful" was a huge hit later that same year. Doo-wop fans will certainly enjoy hearing the Rays 1957 hit "Silhouettes". Add to that Charlie Gracie's "Butterfly" and the Orlons bouncy recording of "Don't Hang Up" and you can easily see why this is a disc you are sure to play again and again.

"Cameo-Parkway: The Greatest Hits" comes with a thoughtfully done booklet featuring notes on every one of the recordings in this collection. I found the sound quality to be outstanding. If you are considering purchasing this collection I would strongly recommend that you grab it right away. Given the history of the Cameo-Parkway catalog there is no way of knowing just how long this collection might remain available. The bottom line is that this is a highly enjoyable disc that I am very pleased to recommend.

Superb & generous selection of CAMEO-PARKWAY Labels Greatest Hits of the 60's. Sound quality is great. I chose this CD over the box set because I didn't want all those non-hit songs on the box. This has nearly everything I needed. The only song that's missing that I want is Bobby Rydell's FORGET HIM, which was a huge hit & still gets played today. Other than that hearing all these great songs combining R&B, rock and roll, ballads & show bizzy swing like VOLARE by Rydell, which really swings is well worth owning! I never had ANY of these songs on record or CD, so these hits by THE ORLONS, THE DOVELLS, CHUBBY CHECKER, QUESTION MARK, BOBBY RYDELL, and more is a time capsule of 60's pop released at last.

I know Cameo/Parkway released a box set of all their hits earlier. But that cost at least $50 and featured many obscure recording that most folks never heard of unless you lived in Philly. This best of set captures the essence of those great Cameo/Parkway records that were never released on CD until now. For any kid who grew up during the late 50's and 60's, this CD is a treasure of all the great hits, Bobby Rydell, Chubby Checker, The Orlons, Dee Dee Sharp, The Dovells, The Tymes (featuring one of the most beautiful pop records ever "So Much In Love",The Rays (Sillouettes),Charlie Gracie (Butterfly) "Dinner With Drac" etc. It takes me back to high school when these songs jumped out of your transistor or car radio. Most of these songs were recorded between 1957 and 1964 and they were all huge hits. I can't understand why they were never available until now. So kick back and relax and hear these hits for the first time in new improved sound. A must for early boomers!

Great collection of songs, and I want to emphasize what other reviewers have said--the sound is excellent. The booklet contains details about where each song was recorded, who the original engineers were, where each song placed on the Billboard, R&B and British charts, and so forth. Sadly, nothing about the history of Cameo Parkway or biographical info on the artists, but you can't have everything. If you truly want to feel like you're back in Philly during the early 60's, listen to this in conjunction with Cruisin' 1957 which features Joe Niagara, the voice of "Wibbage" (WIBG-AM), doing ads and announcements between more songs you'll remember.

Cameo Parkway: The Greatest Hits is chock full of exactly that--some great hits from artists who recorded on Cameo Parkway Records back in the day. There are quite a few recording artists on this single CD which makes it all the more valuable. The quality of the sound on this CD is very, very good; and I really like that artwork, too.

The CD starts with the immortal Chubby Checker performing his major hit entitled "The Twist." "The Twist" wasn't just a song; as you probably know it became a major dance craze and it's still fun to dance to tunes like this today. "The Twist" also makes an auspicious beginning for this album. Bobby Rydell's "Wild One" has a melody that is infectiously catchy; I always liked this tune and it's great to have it on a CD in my collection! The music couldn't be more energetic and "Wild One" is still quite a strong number. This is a terrific example of early rock and roll that took the airwaves by storm when it was first released. Dee Dee Sharp also delivers an excellent tune on "Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes);" this classic early rock song is also remarkably catchy and lots of fun to listen to even all these years later.

The Orlons also weigh in with their massive hit, "The Wah Watusi." Excellent! I also like "We Got Love" which was also performed by Bobby Rydell. Bobby sure had talent--this is yet another tune from Bobby that's lots of fun and it's all very nostalgic, too. "Silhouettes" by The Rays isn't the happiest of songs; but it sounds wonderful when The Rays deliver this faultlessly. Listen also for "So Much In Love" by The Tymes; The Tymes perform this with panache and this charms me with its beauty. "Limbo Rock" by Chubby Checker was another song that inspired the limbo game that so many people enjoyed over and over again; and there's a major gem when The Orlons perform "Don't Hang Up." The Orlons sing this with lots of energy and you can practically hear them giving blood to make this tune shine bright! They also perform "South Street" with all the same energy; "South Street" remains perfect for dancing.

Cubby Checker's "Let's Twist Again" couldn't be better; I loved this tune the very first time I ever heard it and it retains all of its positive glow every time I hear it. Don't be surprised if it makes you feel like dancing! "The Cha-Cha-Cha" by Bobby Rydell has a great musical arrangement and even a backup chorus to enhance this number; Bobby never sings a superfluous note. Bobby also does "Volare" with enough POW to make even Dean Martin take notice; and I really like "Wonderful! Wonderful!" by The Tymes. The Tymes were blessed with remarkable talent and they just don't get remembered the way they really should be remembered.

Bobby Rydell returns--yet again--to do his outstanding rendition of "Jingle Bell Rock;" and the CD ends very well with ? & The Mysterians performing "96 Tears." "96 Tears" is probably the most "modern" sounding rock tune on this CD; and just one listen will show you why.

Cameo Parkway: The Greatest Hits has so much to offer; it really is a staple for anyone into early rock and roll. People who are fans of these artists should consider this CD to be a "must-have" for their collections.

I will make this review short and sweet: This collection has the original version of "96 Tears". That fact alone should make any serious 60's music collector buy it!.

I was looking for Bobby Rydell (Wild One, We Got Love) and the Orlons (South Street, Wah-Watusi) but thought I'd have to get multiple albums to get the songs I wanted. This album has those songs plus songs by Chubby Checker (Twist, Limbo Rock) and Dee Dee Sharp (Mashed Potato Time, Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes) plus songs like Silhouettes, 96 Tears, and Bristol Stomp. This was just what I wanted and I was thrilled to find it to get some of the great oldies songs missing from my collection.

Good compilation of Philly area hits of the rock era. It nicely filled a

gap in my oldies collection. Bobby Rydell, Chubby Checker, Orlons,

and what a nice surprise: Charlie Gracie doing "Butterfly"! This is

a collection worth having, Only question I have, why did they take so long releasing it?