Customer Reviews

Nice Work If You Can Get It: Best of

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I saw them a few years ago in Atlanta, and they still sound great!

These are from their earliest recordings, before they moved to Columbia. Most of these tracks were released on a double album by MCA in the mid-80's.

Isn't it great that we can buy quality music from over four decades ago?

The Columbia recordings, many of them with reknowned arranger and bandleader Frank Comstock, showcase not only the Hi-Los technical superiority and sense of humor, but also define the style that gave rise to some of today's top pop groups like Boyz 2 Men and the incomparable Take 6.

In fact, on these and other groups' album liner notes you'll often find an aknowledgement of appreciation for the Hi-Los, and particularly for Gene Puerling, the quartet's baritone and the vocal arranger of most of their tunes. (He solos on their version of Hoagy Charmichael's "Skylark" - it's the best interpreted I've heard).

If you want to hear more of this super-tight harmony, take a listen to a group called Singers Unlimited. This acaplela quartet made their recordings in the '70's, and consisted of two Hi'Los (Puerling and 2nd tenor Don Shelton) bass Len Dresslar and a female singer, the silky-toned (and gorgeous to boot) Bonnie Herman. This group picked up where the Hi-Los left off, overdubbing and multi-tracking their own voices to create the effect of an entire choir.

But this is getting way ahead of ourselves. "Nice Work..." is the perfect introduction to this most innovative under-appreciated vocal group. This is one you have to own.

Despite a few personnel changes; the Hi-Lo's were one of the top male vocal groups in the 50's-early 60's. I remember seeing them on most of the big variety shows over the years and always admired their singing. It's easy to see where later groups like The Lettermen;Four Freshmen and others learned from. An altogether enjoyable album.