Door Is Still Open

The Cardinals | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 28, 2006)
• Original Release Date: March 28, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collectables
• ASIN: B000EGDBKQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #379,217 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Door Is Still Open

2. Shouldn't I Know

3. Lovie Darling

4. I'll Always Love You

5. The Wheel Of Fortune

6. Come Back My Love

7. You Are My Only Love

8. Under A Blanket Of Blue

9. Here Goes My Heart To You

10. For Awhile

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice little collection of one of rhythm and blues pioneer groups, April 5, 2006

By 

Paul Tognetti "The real world is so much more... (Cranston, RI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Door Is Still Open (Audio CD)

In the late 1940's and the early 1950's the streetcorners of the Baltimore/DC area were alive with aspiring young singers determined to make their mark in the music business. The region was developing its own unique sound which combined elements of gospel, blues and pop. Major record companies in New York began to take notice and several of these groups were rewarded with recording contracts. In 1951, a five man pop group from Baltimore that called themselves The Mellotones inked a contract with Atlantic records. Since the so-called "bird" group names were all the rage at the time Atlantic decided to change the name of the group to the Cardinals. Under the watchful eye of Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson Atlantic would make the decision to change the groups primary style from pop to R&B. It was a decision that would work to the benefit of everyone involved. For the next five years the Cardinals would become one of Atlantic's best selling acts. Now in 2006 Collectables has assembled 10 of the Cardinals finest Atlantic sides in a great new disc entitled "The Door Is Still Open". As far as I can tell, this is the first Cardinals collection ever to appear on CD in the United States.

To be honest about it "The Door Is Still Open" is strictly a low-priced no-frills compilation. But I will take it. This disc replaces several 45's in my collection. And what a fine collection it is! Some may find this music to be somewhat dated but I have always been a fan of the music of this period. What's not to like about the groups 1955 hit "Come Back My Love"? Great tune. Perhaps my favorite tune in the package is the spellbinding ballad "Here Goes My Heart To You". I have always enjoyed the groups take on the Kay Starr classic "The Wheel of Fortune" and can highly recommend the title track "The Door Is Still Open". One of the drawbacks of this collection is that it only offers a total of ten tracks. I gladly would have paid a bit more for a few more songs and some meaningful liner notes.

While the Cardinals never quite attained the popularity of a pair of other Baltimore/DC groups, namely The Orioles and the Clovers they were nevertheless a very important act from that era. Kudos to Collectables for finally bringing these tunes to CD! If you are a fan of R&B vocal groups or doo wop then this one would certainly be a nice addition to your collection. Recommended!