20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of The Ink Spots

Performer: The Ink Spots
Artist: Ella Fitzgerald
Producer: Andy McKaie (Compilation)
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Recorded between 1939 and 1946. Includes liner notes by Joseph F. Laredo. Digitally remastered by Jim Phillips and Steven Lasker. Recording information: 01/12/1939-07/??/1946. Editor: Jim Phillips. The Ink Spots were the first modern black vocal group, and although chiefly known for their wonderful harmonies, which bridged the gap between 1940s pop styles and the street corner doo wop styles of the 1950s, they were also a self-contained band, and a versatile one. Led by lead singers Deek Watson and Bill Kenny (whose other worldly high tenor and mannered diction put him in a class by himself), and grounded by Hoppy Jones' innovative (and often improvised) talking-bass vocal lines, the Ink Spots charted nearly 50 Top 40 singles beginning with "If I Didn't Care" in 1939. The Best of the Ink Spots collection works as a decent introduction to this wonderful group. Highlights include a fine version of Duke Ellington's "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and a completely modern take on Leroy Carr's "When the Sun Goes Down," recast here as a pop blues with harmonies that would make the Beach Boys blush. ~ Steve Leggett MCA's 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection is a good, basic collection of the Ink Spots' biggest hits -- including "If I Didn't Care," "My Prayer," "Java Jive," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "I'm Making Believe," "The Gypsy," "I'm Beginning to See the Light," "Prisoner of Love,"and "To Each His Own" -- available at a budget price. Although there are a couple of hits and good songs missing, this has enough of the best-known tunes to make it worthwhile for casual listeners on a budget. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

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