why complain--this is a great album with so much to enjoy
Hard To Find 45s On CD, Volume 2: 1961-1964 is a very good installment in this CD series of oldies but goodies. This music is wonderful which is why I'm astonished that these tunes ARE harder to find on other CD compilations. However, here they are--finally! The sound quality is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done as well.
Joel Dowell starts things off with a fine hit for him called "Wooden Heart;" this tune is a bit like a polka mixed with pop to make this shine so very brightly! One listen to "Wooden Heart" and you'll easily be hooked; Joe Dowell performs this with great sensitivity and I'm very impressed. The Flares also make a great contribution with their hit entitled "Foot Stomping, Part I;" I first heard "Foot Stomping, Part I" in the movie Hairspray by John Waters and this can be found on the CD soundtrack of that movie just in case you're interested. In addition, Clyde McPhatter performs an excellent interpretation of "Lover Please;" "Lover Please" has a great early `60s beat that is both catchy and rather upbeat. "I Wish That We Were Married" by Ronnie & The Hi-Lites is another major highlight of this album; they sing and play this so very well and they harmonize well, too.
Joe Dowell returns to do his "Little Red Rented Rowboat;" "Little Red Rented Rowboat" is quite a positive tune with lots of energy and Joe does this very well with a female chorus backup. Thank goodness for Joe Dowell--he's an artist that is so overlooked today. Marcie Blane also does "Bobby's Girl" with lots of feeling; and the percussion enhances this ballad while it marks the beat as well. Marcie Blane sings this with all her heart and it's absolutely wonderful to hear and enjoy this tune. Little Peggy March also scores a goal with her "I Will Follow Him;" this number got a lot of airplay when it was released even though today it's somewhat a lost, forgotten hit. "You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry" is a very pretty tune that will charm you, too.
"Popsicles And Icicles" gets the royal treatment from The Murmaids; they sing and play this so very well and perhaps you'll recognize this number; it's still getting some airplay on the "oldies" radio stations just as it deserves. Similarly "Little Honda" by The Hondells is an excellent number that celebrates the joys of youth and having fun as these young men cruise the town going after girls and enjoying themselves.
In short, Hard To Find 45s On CD, Volume 2: 1961-1964 has lots of great hits for us to enjoy and I heartily recommend this CD for people who like this genre of music. Enjoy!
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