There were thousands of fine examples of early-to-mid-60s pop that took their cue from Phil Spector’s production techniques, and Ace’s series is dedicated to unearthing the very best of them.
This well-annotated volume continues to mix better-known cuts, such as the David Gatesproduced My One & Only Jimmy Boy from The Girlfriends, with lesser-known gems. The compilation is bookended by two strong Jerry Ganey tracks, produced by Righteous Brother Bill Medley after he had parted company from Spector. Of these, Who Am I is the big ballad and Just A Fool the Northern soulsters’ preferred side.
Fans of Spector’s girly sounds will love Bonnie’s majestic Close Your Eyes, Merry Clayton’s jolly Usher Boy and the slower Gee I’m Sorry Baby from the Jerry Rossproduced Sapphires. Boys shine too, with The Kit Kats’ That’s The Way and Johnny Caswell’s My Girl standing out. Elsewhere, Bobby Sheen’s Sweet Sweet Love is an absolute pop soul gem from 1966, and there’s a real surprise with When We Get Married from the 1910 Fruitgum Company – a late-60s return to full-on Spectorian majesty. With great singing throughout, and backing tracks that vary from the sparsely dramatic to the full-blown Wall Of Sound, this is 60s pop at its greatest.
