Customer Reviews

Philadelphia Usa

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One can hardly fault Varese for using re-recorded versions of the original hits on this new Cameo/Parkway collection - they're the best renderings of these classic tracks currently licensable for release. Perhaps even more interesting than the actual tracks on this disc is the story of the original recordings, and the hazy reasons why they've never been available on CD.

Cameo/Parkway were the labels that brought the first wave of Philadelphia pop to the top of the charts in the late 50s and early 60s. Though "The Sound of Philadelphia" (or "TSOP") would eventually become associated with the Philadelphia International artists of the 70s (O'Jays, Blue Notes, Sylistics, etc.), the first blush of Philly style was heard from Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Dee Dee Sharp and others. Appearances on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" (yet to relocate to Los Angeles) helped push the Philly scene to a nationwide audience.

The labels' releases topped the charts several times, and launched numerous dance crazes, including the Twist and the Mashed Potato. In 1967 a majority interest in the labels was bought by Allen Klein, and a few years later the reissues and licensing rights for all of the recordings in the vault dried up. Klein is probably best known for his involvement with the Beatles (around the time of their dissolution), and the financial misfortunes of Cameo/Parkway became one of bricks thrown at Klein during the McCartney/Rest-of-the-Beatles legal fracas.

Klein issued a few compilations from the Cameo/Parkway vaults in the early 70s (on vinyl, on his own ABCKO label), and then proceeded to sit on the material. To this day he's neither reissued the material, nor licensed it to others (or, perhaps offered it at realistic fees) for reissue. Other than a few tracks that appeared on the early 80s "Oldies But Goodies" CDs, and sporadic bootlegs (all seemingly from vinyl sources), none of the original recordings have seen digital release.

Conflicting rumors have swirled for years, pitting ever-imminent box set projects against explanations of why nothing's actually been issued. The lack of releases has variously been attributed to Klein's supposed greed (i.e., exorbitant licensing fee requests), Klein's worry that a comprehensive box would not fare well (the supposed unimpressive sales of ABCKO's Phil Spector box set has fueled this rumor), and perhaps most intriguingly of all, the suggestion that ABKCO is not in possession of the original master tapes. The latter, according to rumor, posits that one of the labels' original owners, Kal Mann, managed to retain control of the original tapes in the buyout. The result is that Mann has the master tapes Klein needs to produce marketable CDs, and Klein holds the publishing rights that Mann would need to legally replicate the tapes. Stalemate? Or possibly just a really inventive rumor.

Whatever the truth of the matter, the result has been a lack of royalty revenue for the Cameo/Parkway artists, as well as a dearth of merchandise to support those who still tour. To unlock this situation, many of the artists re-cut their biggest hits (mostly in the early 70s - the liner notes are not specific), attempting to recreate the sound of the original sides as closely as possible.

Try as they might, the difference between a hit single and a cover (or even an alternate take from the very same session) is rarely lost on listeners, especially those who had the originals ground into every brain cell by the repetition of top-40 radio. As strong-voiced as these singers still were at the time they re-recorded their hits, and as willing as the bands were to reproduce the original arrangements, there's something vaguely unsatisfying about these recreations. It's as if a truly talented cover band recorded the star's act. These recreations, no matter how cleverly constructed, are the aural equivalent of meeting the twin of a lifelong friend.

That lengthy caveat aside, this is still a worthwhile disc to own. Why? Because those who haven't been lucky enough to hear the originals will find that the songs and singers retain much of the spark that made them hits and stars in the first place. From the Dovell's "Bristol Stomp" to Chubby Checker's "Twist," "Pony Time" and "Limbo Rock" to Dee Dee Sharp's "Mashed Potato Time," there are plenty of tunes to liven up your retro dance party. Chubby Checker and Dee Dee Sharp reprise their slinky, soulful duet "Slow Twistin'" superbly, and at further extremes from the dance tunes are the doo-wop "Silhouettes" from The Rays, garage rock "96 Tears" from ? and the Mysterians, and superb ballads from The Tymes.

To be sure, these sides don't always have the magic that made the originals hits hit, but for both those new to the catalog, and those awaiting the release of the originals, this is a great placeholder. Buy a copy, ring up some well-deserved royalties for the artists, and write Allen B. Klein to suggest he get off his rear-end and open up the vault.

3-1/2 stars if Amazon allowed fractional ratings.

Normally, a disclaimer indicating the songs on a CD are re-recordings would immediately end my consideration of that item, but Varese/Sarabande has been reliable for producing quality products for a number of years, and I couldn't resist the chance to finally own palatable versions of these Cameo/Parkway Philadelphia Sound classics on disk.

Sadly, although the effort to provide a true representation of the originals is there, the end result remains just another collection of tired remakes. The musicians tried hard to duplicate the original sound but no one who remembers the early '60s will have any trouble identifying the cuts as covers.

Of the vocalists, only the timeless Chubby Checker retains the brightness and enthusiasm that made these songs hits. His four dance staple tracks are good enough that I would not hesitate to use them at a party. There is just enough difference in his delivery to betray the cuts as re-records, but they are good enough that only the most stubborn (a group that I often belong to) will refuse to accept them as adequate. Slow Twistin' and Pony Time are particularly well-done.

Bobby Rydell and Dee Dee Sharp both gave it a good try, but their age is apparent in their inflection and pace. Dee Dee in particular is lacking that bubbly spark that made her dance tracks so enjoyable. Sharp's "Mashed Potato" and Rydell's "Forget Him" are both quite good but, again, they just don't quite measure up.

The Dovells and The Tymes sound like the all of the original voices are present. However, the tracks on the CD sound like something you would expect to hear at one of the free concerts that many "Golden Oldies" stations around the US sponsor annually. The names may be the same, and the people may be the same, but the voices have changed and there's no disguising it.

The Rays' and '? and the Mysterians' contributions to the compilation are markedly substandard, sounding like any of the other hundred thousand retread rip-offs flooding the music market.

Initially, I wanted to give "Philadelphia U.S.A." three stars but, the more I reflected on the CD, the more it just didn't hold up. The four Chubby Checker tracks are solid, but the rest just aren't good enough.

Sorry, Varese, but this effort I can't recommend.

Even tho' ABKCO is still sitting on the ORIGINAL Recordings, this set is not worth it. For years now, "they" are saying the catalog will be released. The rumor is VERY STRONG that this is imminent. Do the artists a favor and remember them as real hitmakers. Chubby Checker, Dee Dee Sharp, The Dovells, The Orlons, Bobby Rydell and the early 50's Cameo hits like Silhouettes/The Rays, Bad Motorcycle/The Storey Sisters, Dinner with Drac/Zacherle are almost here. WAIT!!!!

I love the oldies, and especially the original Philadelphia Sound. It was some of the best music around but remains virtually impossible to find. I flipped when I came accross this CD...most of the great songs are here except for a few notible exceptions like the Orlons tune...."Those Terrible Boots". I couldn't wait to plug it in to my player but unfortunately I failed to read the fine print that said "New Stereo Recordings". I'm sorry, I loved these entertainers and the music they made....but they simply do not sound the same now, as they did then. It's really sad to hear them straining to hit notes they blew away 40 years ago. I got a great idea. When they decide to do compilations like this why don't they simply include both the original and the new stereo recording (if they must). The CD media has the room and I can live with that. I listen to the Oldies to revive the emotions and sentiments I had years ago and to get my "Feel Good" juices moving....it's great! I really don't care to hear an entertainer reminding me how old I've become....come on folks wake up...give us what we want!

Such wonderful memories during my school years...remember watching every afternoon "American Bandstand" (Dick Clark), many of the artists featured on this CD ~ "PHILADELPHIA U.S.A"...Chubby Checker, The Dovells, Question Mark & the Mysterians, The Rays, Bobby Rydell (my all-time favorite), Dee Dee Sharp and The Tymes...would rush home from school (no vcrs then, couldn't tape it) would see my favorite regulars in the audience (guys & gals) and the artists who would perform their new release.

Bobby Rydell...he was a teen idol at the young age of seventeen, went on to do a musical "Bye Bye Birdie", got the Hugh Peabody part...glad to see a few of my favorite songs appear on this CD ~ "VOLARE" and "WILD ONE", took him to the top in the '60s...sound as good as ever, takes me back to the good ole days.

A lot of credit goes to ~ Cary E. Mansfield and Jeff Hubbard (collection producers), Varese Sarabande Records/Varese Vintage and the performers from Philadelphia who launched careers in the early days of rock and roll!

You might try other Varese Vintage releases, all worthy of a good listen ~ "Jerry Lee Lewis 25 All-Time Greatest Sun Recordings (302-066-129-2)..."The Champs 25 All-Time Greatest Recordings" (302-066-113-2)..."25 All-Time Greatest Summer Songs" (302-066-148-2)...check out my reviews on amazon.com/music.

Total Time: 44:55 on 18 Tracks ~ Varese Sarabande 302-066-212-2 ~ (2001)