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Play Ball

 
Album Review: Play Ball

Review

Two performers who were prominent in the 1960s have joined together to bring back a style of popular music that got its start with young singers on the street corners of Philadelphia and the Queens: doo wop. Randy & the Rainbows were formed in 1962 and had a big hit with "Denise," which is reprised on this album, connected with Jimmy Wisner, aka "Jimmy the Wiz," for a new release. Wisner was a highly sought after session musician having worked with Judy Collins, Tony Bennett, and other pop luminaries of the time. On this album, Randy & the Rainbows supply the singing, helped exceedingly by top-flight musicians. Wisner supplies the label WizWorks, some of the arrangements, produces, and takes a turn on the Hammond B3 organ on "Deep Down" and "Joseph." The outcome is a Randy & the Rainbows updated to the 21st Century, but still retaining more than a vestige of that wonderful pre-rock harmonic style from the 1950s and 1960s. Although never enjoying the success of their Top Ten hit "Denise," the group has not been hiding out. It has shared the stage with top groups the Four Seasons, Dionne Warwick, Pat Cooper, and others. Good talent rarely ever disappears. Mike Zero, an original member of the group, Vinny Corella, and Jimmy Bense deliver nicely on a play list of 12 tunes, some love songs, others upbeat toe tappers, especially the swinging renditions of "Ain't She Pretty" and "Joseph." The happy music on this CD creates an urge to roll up the rug and do some meaningful dancing, not the senseless, nondirectional, self-indulgent gyrations that pass for that lost art these days. Recommended. ~ Dave Nathan, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Angela, My Angela Jimmy Wisner Randy & the Rainbows (3:34)
Still in Love With You Randy & the Rainbows (3:33)
Deep Down Charlie Feldman Randy & the Rainbows (3:59)
Ain't She Pretty Carmen Lombardo, Clarence Todd Randy & the Rainbows (3:48)
Good Life Randy & the Rainbows (4:26)
Denise Neil Levenson Randy & the Rainbows (3:03)
Don't Throw Your Love Away Jimmy Wisner, Billy Jackson Randy & the Rainbows (3:54)
Laura Ed Kay Randy & the Rainbows (3:45)
Julie Jimmy Wisner, Billy Jackson Randy & the Rainbows (3:15)
Silver and Gold Randy & the Rainbows (3:48)
Joseph Jimmy Wisner Randy & the Rainbows (3:29)
My Love Concerto Jimmy Wisner, Norma Randy & the Rainbows (3:22)

Credits

Mike Zero (Vocal Arrangement), Al Alberts, Jr. (Engineer), Billy Moss (Engineer), David Grant (Guitar), Jimmy Wisner (Organ (Hammond)), Jim Czak (Engineer), James Paul Wisner (Guitar), Jimmy Wisner (Conductor), Randy Gilmore (Sax (Tenor)), Jimmy Wisner (Producer), James Paul Wisner (Engineer), Eric Zay (Arranger), Paul Gold (Engineer), Paul Gold (Mastering), Randy Gilmore (Saxophone), Jack Cavari (Guitar), Craig Stewart (Drums), Jimmy Wisner (Arranger), Adam Hornyak (Assistant Engineer), Ed Kay (Arranger), Janet Joachim (Graphic Design), Joe Venneri (Producer), Jimmy Wisner (Executive Producer), Tom Spahn (Engineer), James Paul Wisner (Vocal Arrangement), Mike Zero (Executive Producer), Bobby "Dub" Allecca (Engineer), Dan Hewins (Engineer), Joe Marianie (Programming), Richard Gordon (Trumpet), Mike Zero (Arranger), James Paul Wisner (Organ), Mike Zero (Vocals)
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Copyrights:

Album Review. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more