Nervous and retiring, Bernie Lowe hardly seemed the stuff of an indie-label pioneer. But when the musician and former music-school teacher teamed up with former student/struggling comedy writer Kal Mann in a fledgling songwriting partnership that eventually saw Elvis score with their "Teddy Bear," the die was cast. The pair had launched Cameo the previous year in Lowe's Philadelphia basement, showing a quick knack for scoring chart success with MOR pop (Charlie Grace's "Butterfly"), novelty kitsch (Zacherle's "Cool Ghoul"), and teen-idol rock (Bobby Rydell and others)--the latter thanks largely to serving as talent farm/bullpen for Dick Clark's then Philly-based American Bandstand. But it was Chubby Checker's era-defining dance smash "The Twist" that saw the label's fortunes soar (still the only record to claw its way to the top of the charts in two different years). This generous, 115-track, four-disc anthology of the label's long out-of-print catalog details those highlights and more, wending its way through even unlikelier novelty fare (Clint Eastwood's rasping tribute to his Rawhide TV character, "Rowdy"; RFK impersonator "Senator Bobby" orating a dizzy cover of the Troggs' "Wild Thing") to such '60s garage-rock staples as ? and the Mysterians' classic "96 Tears," the first American release by the Kinks, and promising early sides by Bob Seger. --Jerry McCulley
Cameo Parkway 1957-1967,Various Artists,Abkco,Garage Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,R&B,Rock,Rock & Roll,Rock/Pop Collections,Soul,V/a Compilations
Cameo Parkway 1957-1967 [Box set] [Original recording remastered]
Average customer rating:
|
Cameo Parkway 1957-1967
Various Artists Manufacturer: Abkco ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00081U6IW Release Date: 2005-05-17 |
Tracks:
- Butterfly - Charlie Gracie
- Fabulous - Charlie Gracie
- Race For Time - Jerry Arnold & The Rhythm Captains
- Sing Sing Sing - Benie Lowe Orchestra
- You're The Greatest - Billy Scott
- Over The Weekend - The Playboys
- Night Time Pete Antell
- Memory Lane - The Hippies (Formerly The Tams)
- Silhouettes - The Rays
- Daddy Cool - The Rays
- Back To School Again - Timmie Rogers
- The Class - Chubby Checker
- Bad Motorcycle - The Storey Sisters
- Shake A Hand - Mike Pedicin Quintet
- Dinner With Drac Part 1 - John Zacherle
- Mexican Hat Rock - The Applejacks
- Nine More Miles - Georgie Young and The Rockin' Bocs
- Birds And Bees - The Temptations
- Two Weeks With Pay - Georgie Young and The Rockin' Bocs
- Rocka-Conga - The Applejacks
- Kissin' Time - Bobby Rydell
- We've Got Love - Bobby Rydell
- The Twist - Chubby Checker
- Wild One - Bobby Rydell
- Swingin' School - Bobby Rydell
- Pony Time - Chubby Checker
- Teach Me To Twist - Chubby Checker & Bobby Rydell
- Let's Twist Again - Chubby Checker
- Bristol Stomp - The Dovells
- The Wah Watusi - The Orlons
- Merry Christmas - The Cameos
Tracks:
- Slow Twistin' - Chubby Checker (with Dee Dee Sharp)
- Mashed Potato Time - Dee Dee Sharp
- Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes) - Dee Dee Sharp
- Don't Hang Up - The Orlons
- Ride - Dee Dee Sharp
- Do The New Continental - The Dovells
- The Popeye Waddle - Don Covay
- Limbo Rock - Chubby Checker
- The Cha Cha Cha - Bobby Rydell
- Volare - Bobby Rydell
- Sweet Georgia Brown - Carroll Bros.
- Back To School One More Time - Jerry Blavat
- (I'm The Girl From) Wolverton Mountain - Jo Ann Campbell
- Rowdy - Clint Eastwood
- Forget Him - Bobby Rydell
- Mother Please! - Jo Ann Campbell
- Come On And Dance With Me - Billy Abbott and The Jewels
- Groovy Baby - Billy Abbott and The Jewels
- The Jam Part 1 - Bobby Gregg and His Friends
- You Can't Sit Down - The Dovells
- South Street - The Orlons
- Everybody South Street - The Taffys
- Do The Bird - Dee Dee Sharp
- Not Me - The Orlons
- Cross Fire! - The Orlons
- (Everybody Do) The Swim - The Marlins
- The 81 - Candy and The Kisses
- Daydreamin' Of You - The Dreamers
- Swans
- Jingle Bell Rock - Chubby Checker & Bobby Rydell
Tracks:
- So Much In Love - The Tymes
- Wonderful! Wonderful! - The Tymes
- Just One Chance - The Sparklettones
- I'll Be True - Johnny Maestro
- Hey Good Lookin' - Billy Abbott and The Jewels
- Somewhere - The Tymes
- You'll Never Walk Alone - Patti LaBelle and Her Blue Belles
- Danny Boy - Patti LaBelle and Her Blue Belles
- Cast Your Fate To The Wind - Sounds Orchstral
- It Only Took A Minute - Joe Brown and The Bruvvers
- Long Tall Sally - The Kinks
- Boys - Pete Best
- You Still Want Me - The Kinks
- League
- Tossing & Turning - The Ivy League
- She's Fallen In Love With The Monster Man - Screamin' Lord Sutch
- Wild Thing - Senator Bobby
- Little White House - Len Barry
- Fool, Fool, Fool - Joey and The Flips
- Gilr From New York City - The GTOs
- Society Girl - The Rag Dolls
- Soldier Baby Of Mine - Candy and The Kisses
- S.O.S. (Heart In Distress) - Christine Cooper
- Because of My Heart - Frankie Beverly and The Butlers
- Heartaches Away My Boy - Christine Cooper
- Got To Run - Vickie Baines
- My Boy - The Stylettes
- White Christmas (3 O'Clock Weather Report) - Bobby The Poet
Tracks:
- Agel Of The Morning - Evie Sands
- The Love Of A Boy - Evie Sands
- This Can't Be True - Eddie Holman
- World Of Fantasy - The Five Stairsteps
- Come Back - The Five Stairsteps
- Am I A Loser - Eddie Holman
- Danger! She's A Stranger - The Five Stairsteps
- Meet Me In The Church - Bobby Marchan
- You've Been Untrue - The Delfonics
- Get A Hold Of Yourself - The Persians
- He Don't Really Love You - The Delfonics
- The Sweetest Thing This Side Of Heaven - Chris Bartley
- The Grass Will Sing For You - Lonnie Youngblood
- I (Who Have Nothing) - Terry Knight and The Pack
- Beg, Borrow And Steal - Ohio Express
- 96 Tears - ? & The Mysterians
- I Need Somebody - ? & The Mysterians
- East Side Story - Bob Seger and The Last Heard
- Can't Get Enough Of You, Baby - ? & The Mysterians
- Respect - The Rationals
- Marchan
- Let The Good Times Roll & Feel So Good - Bunny Sigler
- Heavy Music Part 1 - Bob Seger and The Last Heard
- Lovey Dovey/You're So Fine - Bunny Sigler
- Sock It To Me Santa - Bob Seger and The Last Heard
Amazon.com
Nervous and retiring, Bernie Lowe hardly seemed the stuff of an indie-label pioneer. But when the musician and former music-school teacher teamed up with former student/struggling comedy writer Kal Mann in a fledgling songwriting partnership that eventually saw Elvis score with their "Teddy Bear," the die was cast. The pair had launched Cameo the previous year in Lowe's Philadelphia basement, showing a quick knack for scoring chart success with MOR pop (Charlie Grace's "Butterfly"), novelty kitsch (Zacherle's "Cool Ghoul"), and teen-idol rock (Bobby Rydell and others)--the latter thanks largely to serving as talent farm/bullpen for Dick Clark's then Philly-based American Bandstand. But it was Chubby Checker's era-defining dance smash "The Twist" that saw the label's fortunes soar (still the only record to claw its way to the top of the charts in two different years). This generous, 115-track, four-disc anthology of the label's long out-of-print catalog details those highlights and more, wending its way through even unlikelier novelty fare (Clint Eastwood's rasping tribute to his Rawhide TV character, "Rowdy"; RFK impersonator "Senator Bobby" orating a dizzy cover of the Troggs' "Wild Thing") to such '60s garage-rock staples as ? and the Mysterians' classic "96 Tears," the first American release by the Kinks, and promising early sides by Bob Seger. --Jerry McCulleyCustomer Reviews:
Let's twist again...like they did years ago........2007-07-16
Recommended listening? Absolutely. Recommended buying? It depends.
Those who can remember some of the Wyncote reissue albums that featured the major acts and their hits large and small shouldn't expect a big elaboration on that. There was more to Cameo Parkway than the dance crazes and Chubby, Bobby, Dee Dee, etc. As mentioned before, they recorded just about anything from rockabilly and doo-wop (first part of disc 1) [check out "Memory Lane" by the Hippies/Tams/Stereos; very vintage sounding], to pop and rock, to novelty and even some country/western (Clint Eastwood singing???)and British invasion as well as later to R&B/soul and garage band rock. Artists like Patti LaBelle, Bobby Marchan, Eddie Holman, the Five Stairsteps, and even Bob Seger show up revealing their brief stints with the company during it's waning days when founder Bernie Lowe lost interest and faith in his company since the British Invasion swept the country and as a result, companies like his got lost in the shuffle. C-P tried to catch on to the craze, but wasn't so successful. Their hit-making roster's hits dried up as well as the relocation of Bandstand out west and no longer giving C-P the big boost. That being said, if you like a particular genre, it's meshed up in the mix somewhere, and if you listen to it for the first time, a lot of patience is required. It seems that its focus becomes, if not satisfying everyone's taste, lost or skewed. One minute you're listening to doo-wop, the next you're up twisting and stomping, then you're groovin' to the British beat, and then slow-dancing to R&B/soul ballads. So, the feel of the collection jumps around a lot. If you want to relive these days as closely as possible, all of this music does the trick as much of it is some of the most dated music you'll ever encounter. Many of the obscure singers and their songs especially sound that way and the lyrics may seem rather dire, ridiculous and silly to those first discovering it or can't remember them at all, since it's been so long and now it seems like another and almost "lost" dimension. Years ago, a Baltimore radio station featured a program called "Forgotten 45s" and a lot of these songs sound like eligible candidates. The nostalgia and time machine-like trip back in time though the sound of the music never fails to permeate the air; it's like watching old TV commercials. It isn't timeless (they were no Motown, and definitely no Stax/Volt), but it is very enjoyable.
Nevertheless, this set is interesting, if nothing else. It has been a long time coming, but this is as closely as possible, the story of Cameo-Parkway. The liner notes for this collection are in a CD-sized 40+ page booklet complete with track listing, chart and release info, as well as musician credits all arranged alphabetically and not under each track. It definitely could have been packaged with a lot more care including way more photos aside from the ones of the company bosses and record labels, an LP-sized box to make it more outstanding rather than in a small paper one. The CD's look like little records and the bottoms are black, and the sleevs are apparently supposed to be like record sleeves, so that's a clever facet about it.
If you just like Chubby, Bobby, Dee Dee, the Orlons, the Dovells, ? & the Mysterians only, you're better off picking up the CD's just of them that have also arrived in the wake of this collection. But if you like to get into popular music history and want to hear some vintage-sounding golden oldies (like discovering a malt shop jukebox) in the original hit recordings (that means no cheap re-records that we've been stuck with for so long), this serves as a very nice, if not quintessential pick.
The (early) Sound Of Philadelphia.......2007-03-01
Chubby Checker's cover of "The Twist" made Billboard history when it reached #1 in 1960, then dropped off the charts completely only to return to the top spot in January of 1962. No other song has ever hit #1 twice. Other surprises abound, like a cowboy song by Clint Eastwood, a calypsoish number by The Temptations (nope, not the Motown group), Chubby Checker doing spot-on imitations ("The Class") in his first single release from 1959, and a Bob Dylan impersonator, who gives the 3 o'clock weather report ("White Christmas").
Much of the material on disc three and four was released after CAMEO/PARKWAY was sold to a consortium of Texans, and well after American Bandstand departed Philly for Los Angeles. This company's glory days were behind them, yet a few outstanding sides are here, notably "Cast Your Fate To The Wind," "96 Tears" and songs by The Kinks, Pete Best, and "Senator Bobby."
The "Senator Everett" version (not included here) was actually the 'A' side of "Wild Thing." At the time of this single's release, sonorous Everett McKinley Dirksen had a spoken word LP on the Billboard charts, which is what prompted The Hardly Worthit Players (three radio jocks) to lampoon him. The "Senator Bobby" 'B' side was supposed to be the Democratic party response to Senator Everett. With the passage of 40 years and a tragic death, our memory of the Republican senator has dimmed, while his counterpart continues to grow in stature.
This stylishly compact box set houses a treasure of still-great teen tunes-- sound quality is top-notch. The 44-page well written booklet provides lots of insights and details. CAMEO PARKWAY 1957-67 is a terrific opportunity to hear the music that dominated American airwaves in the late '50s and just prior to 1964's British Invasion. Highest recommendation.
TOTAL RUNNING TIME --
DISC ONE -- 73:56
DISC TWO -- 74:29
DISC THREE -- 73:48
DISC FOUR -- 71:48
This is just TOO Funny! An Uncovered Treasure!.......2006-04-10
The flip side of that one was "Senator Everitt Dirksen" doing a half hearted version of "Wild Thing." The "Senator Bobby" was hilarious and can be counted on to evoke gales of laughter from listeners.
"Volare" is sure to bring a smile to many faces - in the late 1970s, the Plymouth Volare (it replaced the Valiant) used the song in its commercial.
For those of you who thought ? and the Mysterions were a one-hit wonder with their 1966 "96 Tears" and wondered if they ever did anything else, wonder no longer. They also did "Can't Get Enough of You, Baby" and Smashmouth's remake sounds rather tired compared to the 1966 original. (Smashmouth is rather retro sounding - their 1997 "Like Walking on the Sun" has a very 1967, Doorsesque sound to it).
Be sure to read the liner notes as well as enjoy the music - you are in for some pure fun!
Talk about a rare find!.......2006-03-11
Great Fun!.......2006-01-07
Average customer rating: |
Cameo Parkway 1957-1967
Various Artists Manufacturer: Universal ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000EPF8CG Release Date: 2006-04-03 |
Tracks:
- Butterfly - Charlie Gracie
- Fabulous - Charlie Gracie
- Race for Time - Jerry Arnold, Jerry Arnold, Rhythm Captains
- Sing Sing Sing - Bernie Lowe Orchestra
- You're the Greatest - Billy Scott
- Over the Weekend - The Playboys
- Night Time - Peter Antell
- Memory Lane - Hippies "Tams"
- Silhouettes - The Rays
- Daddy Cool - The Rays
- Back to School Again - Timmie "Oh Yeah!" Rogers
- Class - Chubby Checker
- Bad Motorcycle - Storey Sisters "Twinkles"
- Shake a Hand - Mike Pedicin Quintet
- Dinner with Drac, Pt. 1 - John "Cool Ghoul" Zacherle
- Mexican Hat Rock - The Applejacks
- Nine More Miles (The "Faster-Faster" Song) - Rockin' Bocs, Georgie Young & the Rockin 'Bocs
- Bird's 'N' Bees - The Temptations
- Two Weeks with Pay - Rockin' Bocs, Georgie Young & the Rockin 'Bocs
- Rocka-Conga - The Applejacks
- Kissin' Time - Bobby Rydell
- We Got Love - Bobby Rydell
- Twist - Chubby Checker
- Wild One - Bobby Rydell
- Swingin' School - Bobby Rydell
- Pony Time - Chubby Checker
- Teach Me to Twist - Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell
- Let's Twist Again - Chubby Checker
- Bristol Stomp - The Dovells
- Wah-Watusi - Orlons
- Merry Christmas - Cameos
Tracks:
- Slow Twistin' - Chubby Checker, Dee Dee Sharp
- Mashed Potato Time - Dee Dee Sharp
- Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes) - Dee Dee Sharp
- Don't Hang Up - Orlons
- Ride! - Dee Dee Sharp
- Do the New Continental - The Dovells
- Popeye Waddle - Don Covay
- Limbo Rock - Chubby Checker
- Cha-Cha-Cha - Bobby Rydell
- Volare - Bobby Rydell
- Sweet Georgia Brown - Carroll Brothers
- One More Time Back to School - Jerry Blavat, Jerry Blavat, Yon Teenagers
- (I'm the Girl From) Wolverton Mountain - Jo Ann Campbell
- Rowdy - Clint Eastwood
- Forget Him - Bobby Rydell
- Mother Please! - Jo Ann Campbell
- Come on and Dance with Me - Billy Abbott, Billy Abbott, The Jewels
- Groovy Baby - Billy Abbott, Billy Abbott, The Jewels
- Jam, Pt. 1 - Bobby Gregg
- You Can't Sit Down - The Dovells
- South Street - Orlons
- Everybody South Street - Taffys
- Do the Bird - Dee Dee Sharp
- Not Me - Orlons
- Crossfire! - Orlons
- (Everybody Do) The Swim, Pt. 1 - Marlins
- 81 - Candy & the Kisses
- Daydreamin' of You - The Dreamers
- Boy with the Beatle Hair - The Swans
- Jingle Bell Rock - Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell
Tracks:
- So Much in Love - The Tymes
- Wonderful! Wonderful! - The Tymes
- I'll Be True - Johnny Maestro
- When We Get Married - The Dreamlovers
- Somewhere - The Tymes
- Hey Good Lookin' - Billy Abbott, Billy Abbott, The Jewels
- Just One Chance - The Sparkletones
- You'll Never Walk Alone - Patti LaBelle
- Danny Boy - Patti LaBelle
- Cast Your Fate to the Wind - Sounds Orchestral
- It Only Took a Minute - Joe Brown, Joe Brown, Bruvvers
- Long Tall Sally - The Kinks
- Boys - Peter Best
- You Still Want Me - The Kinks
- Funny How Love Can Be - The Ivy League
- Tossing & Turning - The Ivy League
- She's Fallen in Love with the Monster Man - The Savages, Screaming Lord Sutch, Screaming Lord Sutch
- Wild Thing - Senator Bobby
- Little White House - Len Barry
- Fool, Fool, Fool - Little Joey & the Flips
- Girl from New York City - The G.T.O.'s
- Society Girl - The Rag Dolls
- Soldier Baby of Mine - Candy & the Kisses
- S.O.S. (Heart in Distress) - Christine Cooper
- Because of My Heart - Frankie Beverly, Frankie Beverly, The Butlers
- Heartaches Away My Boy - Christine Cooper
- Got to Run - Vickie Baines
- My Boy - Stylettes
- White Christmas (3 O'Clock Weather Report) - Bobby the Poet
Tracks:
- Angel of the Morning - Evie Sands
- Love of a Boy - Evie Sands
- This Can't Be True - Eddie Holman
- World of Fantasy - The Five Stairsteps
- Come Back - The Five Stairsteps
- Am I a Loser (From the Start) - Eddie Holman
- Danger! She's a Stranger - The Five Stairsteps
- Meet Me in Church - Bobby Marchan
- You've Been Untrue - The Delfonics
- Get a Hold of Yourself - The Persians
- He Don't Really Love You - The Delfonics
- Sweetest Thing This Side of Heaven - Chris Bartley
- Grass (Will Sing for You) - Lonnie Youngblood
- I (Who Have Nothing) - Terry Knight, Terry Knight, Pack
- Beg, Borrow and Steal - Ohio Express
- 96 Tears - ? & the Mysterians
- I Need Somebody - ? & the Mysterians
- East Side Story - Bob Seger
- Can't Get Enough of You, Baby - ? & the Mysterians
- Respect - The Rationals
- Shake Your Tambourine - Bobby Marchan
- Let the Good Times Roll & Feel So Good - Bunny Sigler
- Heavy Music, Pt. 1 - Last Heard, Bob Seger, Bob Seger
- Lovey Dovey/You're So Fine - Bunny Sigler
- Sock It to Me Santa - Last Heard, Bob Seger, Bob Seger
Album Description
The first comprehensive compilation of releases on Philadelphia's legendary Cameo Parkway label, whose hits dominated the independent music market for several years during a golden era of pop music. Includes classic artists such as Bobby Rydell, The Orlons, The Dovells, Dee Dee Sharp, The Tymes, Chubby Checker and many more. Contains 115 tracks on 4 CD's, including 60 Top 40 hits! Universal.Rap Music:
- Chips from the Chocolate Fireball [Original recording remastered]
- Clumsy
- Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind
- Empty Glass [Original recording remastered]
- Europop
- Excitable Boy
- Feedback [EP]
- Ferment
- Forever Hasn't Happened Yet
- From the Depths of Dreams [Enhanced] [Explicit Lyrics] [EP]
Recommended Music:
Haydn: String Quartets Op.76, Nos. 1, 5, 6
Music: "A Gift Of Nature": English Chamber Music o
HEAVY METAL GUITAR PRACTICE CD
Hempstead High [Explicit Lyrics]
Great Gospel Moments: Men of Gospel
Discografia Completa, Vol. 5: La Juventud/Felicida [Import]