Customer Reviews

Lion Sleeps Tonight / La Bamba / Nothing But Girl

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The song, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," was based on an South African Zulu folk song "Wimoweh" made popular by the classic folk group the Weavers in the 1950s. However, the Weavers were political in the best sense of the folk tradition and fell out of favor among the common folk who thought them Communist sympathizers of varying hues along the spectrum of the color red. However younger music listeners might remember Robert John's version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," which made it to #3 on the Pop charts in 1972 and was included on the soundtrack for "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective."

The group, the Tokens, was a doo wop group out of Brooklyn, who originally included Neil Sedaka when they were known as the Linc-Tones (they were students at Lincoln High School). In the early 1960s the group was reformed by Hank Medress with Phil Margo, Mitch Margo, Joe Venneri, and Jay Siegel as the Tokens. In 1962 the Tokens recorded "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," which hit #1 on the Billboard Pop charts. It was far and away the biggest hit the Tokens ever had and this CD-Single basically includes the two songs that are arguably the best of the rest of their inventory. "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and "La Bamba" were both off of the Token's debut album, while "You're Nothing But a Girl" was from a later 1966 release, "The Tokens Again." However, if you like doo wop, then my suggestion would be to pick up one of the three pretty solid collections of Tokens hits (e.g., "Wimoweh: The Best of the Tokens"). But if this song leads you to track down some of the recordings of the Weavers, that would be a thing of great good as well.

I would like to give credit to the hair-raising background soprano that contributed to the success of the song (Wimoweh) The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Her name is Dolores Boswell a.k.a. Dee Tigue. She is a critically acclaimed, internationally known coloratura soprano. She is my vocal coach, piano teacher and mentor as well. She is a wonderful lady with a heart of gold, and deserves to be given credit for her awesome performance on the Wimoweh track.

The Tokens did an incredible job on this one! I love the music, and the voices are awesome. 38 years later and it still is one of the best songs I've heard.

Don't where the idea came from that it was a woman named Delores.

It was Anita Darien, a well known opera singer, who was brought into the studio for the Tokens recording.

I heard this song -the lion- for the first time 20 years ago ( I was 4 years old)... And it is still spinning in my head!!! Only Bamba comes nearby in quality!!! therefor I give'em 5 stars. My heart is pounding EVERYTIME Tokens are in the radio!

This is The Tokens most acclaimed hit and in my view, their greatest work.The Tokens are one of the best old time bands and this cd is their best work, pick one up today!

Great arrangement, lyrics, and music. Only wish the soprano background singer received credit. Her voice MAKES the song...makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Something seldom done, but done wonderfully with this song.

THIS GROUP IS STILL FULL OF TALLENT AND EXPLOSIVE ON-STAGE PERFORMING. I MET THEM IN BRANSON,MO IN 1997 AND WAS PRIVY TO A BACKSTAGE JAM SESSION AT TONY ORLANDO THEATRE. NORMAN BERGMAN WAS AN ORIGINAL MEMBER OF THE TOKENS AND WAS THEN THE MUSIC DIRECTOR FOR ORLANDO. THE TOKENS PERFORMED MANY SONGS OFF THIS ALBUM AT MUTTON HOLLOW AND MADE A HUGE IMPRESSION ON THE AUDIENCE LEAVING THEM BEGGING FOR MORE....GOOD TO SEE SALES UP AGAIN AS SHOULD BE!!!!!!!

I got this CD for my wife and we are both very happy with the purchase. It is well worth the price.

What a classic! One of the best by the Tokens. My lions, errr cats love to listen to it. If I had 5 thumbs, they would all be up! Bowemowep!