Encore of Golden Hits [Polygram]

Performer: The Platters
Distributor: n/a

Notes: Both the favored group of inspiration point denizens and one of the classiest of doo wop outfits, the Platters transcended their early R&B beginnings in L.A. to become one of the most popular acts of the early rock & roll era. Avoiding the plight of many one-hit doo wop hopefuls, the Platters scored several hits on both the R&B and pop charts. Classics like "The Great Pretender," "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," "Only You," and "My Prayer" were all long-running hits and, along with nuggets by Elvis, the Drifters, and the Coasters, helped define the burgeoning, post-war youth culture of America. Part of what kept the group at the top from 1955-'60 was the winning combination of Tony Williams' soaring and svelte lead vocals and producer/A&R man Buck Ram's beautiful, crossover-friendly material. This early hits collection on Mercury rounds up the group's best work with Ram, including not only the sides mentioned above, but other gems like "Remember When," "Twilight Time," and "I'm Sorry." Although now eclipsed by recent CDs on Rhino and Mercury, Encore of Golden Hits is still a worthwhile title to seek out, especially by those looking for only a brief introduction to the group's prime period. ~ Stephen Cook

With classics such as "The Great Pretender," "Only You," and their rendition of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," the Platters were one of the preeminent doo-wop groups of the early rock-&-roll era. Under the guidance of manager and producer Buck Ram, the Platters churned out hit after hit, with a unique sound marked by lead singer Tony Williams's powerful vocals and the feminine touch of singer Zola Taylor. The Platters were instrumental in bridging the gap between more traditional vocal-group stylings and the popular R&B grooves of the early 1950s.

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.3

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