The Ebb Records Story, Vol. 1: The Group Era (1957-1959)

• Artist: Various Artists
• Release Date: January 30, 2001
• Type: Collection (various artists)
• Genre: Rhythm & Blues

Review

Ebb Records, run by Lee Rupe (the ex-wife of Specialty Records' owner Art Rupe), was a minor Los Angeles rock and R&B label of the late 1950s. Its biggest hit was the infectious Hollywood Flames' up-tempo doo wop tune "Buzz-Buzz-Buzz," which leads off this collection of R&B vocal group releases on the label between 1957-59. And, as is often the case on these kinds of collections, the one familiar hit is the best and most memorable song by far. The 30 tracks are almost wholly routine doo wop, with a decent balance between fast numbers and ballads, and pretty hackneyed chord progressions throughout. One thirsts for a bit of unexpected innovation, a bit of outstanding quality, and is largely left dry, ears perking up at the slightest differentiation, like the Ebbtones' calypso-influenced "Trinidad Woman." The Twilighters, with future funkster Charles Wright as leader, put some exaggerated Elvis Presley inflections into the delivery of "Live Like a King"; the Zion Travelers, who close the CD with both sides of a 1957 single, were (in contrast to the other artists on the disc) gospel. Eleven of the songs were previously unissued, a logical enough bonus considering that the compilation's allure is limited to doo wop collectors. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Buzz Buzz Buzz	John Gray, Robert Byrd	Hollywood Flames	(2:20)
Never Let You Go (Lyrics)			(2:26)
I've Got a Feeling		Ebbtones	(2:17)
Voo-Doo Love	E. Johnson	The Souvenirs	(2:10)
The Way You Carry On		The Roulettes	(2:01)
Heavenly Escort [#]			(2:19)
Danny's Blues		Ebbtones	(3:00)
Close to You (Lyrics)			(2:22)
At the Dance			(2:25)
Live Like a King	C. Williams	The Twilighters	(2:23)
Dearest (Lyrics)			(2:22)
Run, Run, Run (Lyrics)			(1:57)
Oh Linda	Kip Tyler	Kip Tyler	(2:21)
Burning Desire			(2:20)
Guilty of Love (Lyrics)			(2:03)
Trinidad Woman		Ebbtones	(2:21)
You Don't Care Anymore		The Roulettes	(1:54)
Pride and Joy	Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams	The Twilighters	(1:58)
Fool for Affection [#]		Ebbtones	(2:58)
All Aboard [#]			(2:00)
Bump-De-Bump [#]		The Souvenirs	(2:02)
As Days Go By [#]			(2:01)
Hold Me Tight		Jaguars	(2:20)
Wrapped up in a Dream		Ted Taylor	(2:17)
I'll Make a Bet [Take 2][#]			(1:48)
He Judges [Take 4][#]			(1:48)
There in the Night [#]			(2:47)
It Hurts to Be Hurt [#]	Tony Allen		(2:16)
Beautiful City		Zion Travelers	(1:59)
Believe in Me		Zion Travelers	(2:10)

Credits

Galen Gart (Photo Courtesy), Kirk Roberts (Photo Courtesy), Jamie Putnam (Art Direction), Ted Taylor (Performer), Linda Kalin (Design), The Roulettes (Performer), The Souvenirs (Performer), Ebbtones (Performer), Kirk Roberts (Compilation), Joe Tarantino (Remastering), Kirk Roberts (Producer), Kip Tyler (Performer), The Twilighters (Performer), Zion Travelers (Performer), Hollywood Flames (Performer)