The Drifters' Golden Hits

Last updated
The Drifters' Golden Hits
TheDriftersGoldenHits.jpg
Greatest hits album by
The Drifters
Released1968
Recorded1959–1966
Genre R&B
Doo-Wop
Length29:47
Label Atlantic
Producer Bert Berns, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
The Drifters chronology
Where the Music's Playing
(1966)
The Drifters' Golden Hits
(1968)
Their Greatest Recordings (Early Years)
(1971)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]

The Drifters' Golden Hits is a 1968 compilation album by American doo wop/R&B vocal group The Drifters. The collection of the bands' later hits charted at #22 on Billboard's "Black Albums" chart and at #122 on the "Pop Albums" chart.

Contents

The album was included in Robert Christgau's "Basic Record Library" of 1950s and 1960s recordings, published in Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981). [2] In 2012, Rolling Stone listed the album at #459 in its list of "Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". [3] Originally released on the Atlantic label, the album has been re-released on CD by Atlantic. A Drifters' compilation by the same name was released by Intercontinental records in 1996, but it has a different track listing.

Track listing

TitleComposer(s)TimePrevious album releaseCharts
1."There Goes My Baby" Benjamin Nelson, Lover Patterson, George Treadwell 2:13The Drifters' Greatest Hits
(1960)
#1 Black Singles
2."(If You Cry) True Love, True Love" Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman 2:23The Drifters [4]
(1964)
3."Dance with Me"Lewis Lebish, Jerry Leiber, Irving Nahan, Mike Stoller, Treadwell2:26The Drifters' Greatest Hits#2 "Black Singles"
#17 UK Singles [5]
4."This Magic Moment"Pomus, Shuman2:30The Drifters' Greatest Hits#4 "Black Singles"
5."Save the Last Dance for Me"Pomus, Shuman2:30The Drifters' Greatest Hits#1 "Black Singles"
#2 UK [5]
6."I Count the Tears"Pomus, Shuman2:15Save the Last Dance for Me
(1962)
#28 UK [5]
7."Some Kind of Wonderful" Gerry Goffin, Carole King 2:38Save the Last Dance for Me
8."Up on the Roof"Goffin, King2:38The Drifters#4 "Black Singles"
#5 "Pop Singles" [6]
9."On Broadway" Cynthia Weil, Barry Mann, Leiber, Stoller3:02The Drifters#7 "Black Singles"
#9 "Pop Singles" [6]
10."Under the Boardwalk" Arthur Resnick, Kenny Young 2:42The Drifters#4 "Black Singles"
#4 "Pop Singles" [6] #45 UK [5]
11."I've Got Sand in My Shoes"Resnick, Young2:49Where the Music's Playing [7]
12."Saturday Night at the Movies"Weil, Mann2:29The Drifters#18 "Black Singles"
#18 "Pop Singles" [6]

Personnel

Performance

[8] [9]

The Drifters

  • Ben E. King – lead vocals (tracks 1, 3 – 6); backing vocals (track 2)
  • Johnny Lee Williams – lead vocals (track 2); backing vocals (tracks 3–6)
  • Rudy Lewis – lead vocals (tracks 7 – 9)
  • Johnny Moore – lead vocals (tracks 10 – 12)
  • Charlie Thomas – backing vocals (all tracks)
  • Dock Green – backing vocals (tracks 1 – 8)
  • Gene Pearson – backing vocals (tracks 9 – 12)
  • Elsbeary Hobbs – backing vocals (tracks 1 – 6)
  • Tommy Evans – backing vocals (tracks 7 – 9)
  • Johnny Terry – backing vocals (tracks 10 – 12)
  • Abdul Samad – guitar (tracks 2 – 12)
  • Reggie Kimber – guitar (track 1)

Other personnel

Production

Related Research Articles

<i>The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle</i> 1973 studio album by Bruce Springsteen

The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle is the second studio album by American rock singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen. It was recorded by Springsteen with the E Street Band at 914 Sound Studios, Blauvelt, New York, and released on November 5, 1973, by Columbia Records. It includes the song "Rosalita ", the band's most-used set-closing song through 1985.

<i>A Quick One</i> 1966 studio album by the Who

A Quick One is the second studio album by the English rock band the Who, released on 9 December 1966. A version of the album with an altered track listing was released under the name Happy Jack on Decca Records in April 1967 in the United States, where the song "Happy Jack" was a top 40 hit.

<i>Rocket to Russia</i> 1977 studio album by the Ramones

Rocket to Russia is the third studio album by the American punk rock band the Ramones, and was released on November 4, 1977, through Sire Records. Its origins date back to the summer of 1977, when "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker" was released as a single. That summer was known as the peak of the punk rock genre since many punk bands were offered recording contracts. The album's recording began in August 1977, and the band had a considerably larger budget with Sire allowing them between $25,000 and $30,000; much of this money went toward the album's production rather than recording.

<i>More Songs About Buildings and Food</i> 1978 album by Talking Heads

More Songs About Buildings and Food is the second studio album by American rock band Talking Heads, released on July 14, 1978, by Sire Records. It was the first of three albums produced by collaborator Brian Eno, and saw the band move toward an increasingly danceable style, crossing singer David Byrne's unusual delivery with new emphasis on the rhythm section composed of bassist Tina Weymouth and drummer Chris Frantz.

<i>Let It Bleed</i> 1969 studio album by the Rolling Stones

Let It Bleed is the eighth British and tenth American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released 28 November 1969 on London Records in the United States and shortly thereafter by Decca Records in the United Kingdom. Released shortly after the band's 1969 American Tour, it is the follow-up to 1968's Beggars Banquet, and like that album is a return to the group's more blues-sound approach that was prominent in the pre-Aftermath period of their career. Additional sounds on the album draw influence from gospel, country blues and country rock.

<i>Out of Our Heads</i> 1965 studio album by the Rolling Stones

Out of Our Heads is a 1965 album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released in two editions with different covers and track listings. In the US, London Records released it on 30 July 1965 as the band's 4th American album, while Decca Records released its UK edition on 24 September 1965 as the 3rd British album.

<i>Pleasant Dreams</i> 1981 studio album by the Ramones

Pleasant Dreams is the sixth studio album by American punk rock band the Ramones, released on July 20, 1981, through Sire Records. While the band members wanted Steve Lillywhite to produce, Sire chose Graham Gouldman in an attempt to gain popularity through a well-known producer. The recording process brought about many conflicts between band members, most notably the strife between Joey Ramone and Johnny Ramone, due to Johnny starting a relationship with Joey's girlfriend. There were also disputes about the overall direction of the album, with Johnny leaning towards hard rock and Joey towards pop punk. Ultimately, the album incorporated high production values and varying musical styles, straying from traditional punk rock on songs such as "We Want the Airwaves", "She's a Sensation" and "Come On Now". It is the first Ramones album not to feature any cover songs.

<i>Meet the Beatles!</i> 1964 studio album by the Beatles

Meet the Beatles! is a studio album by the English rock band the Beatles, released as their second album in the United States. It was the group's first American album to be issued by Capitol Records, on 20 January 1964 in both mono and stereo formats. It topped the popular album chart on 15 February 1964 and remained at number one for eleven weeks before being replaced by The Beatles' Second Album. The cover featured Robert Freeman's iconic portrait of the Beatles used in the United Kingdom for With the Beatles, with a blue tint added to the original stark black-and-white photograph.

<i>Tumbleweed Connection</i> 1970 studio album by Elton John

Tumbleweed Connection is the third studio album by English singer-songwriter Elton John. It was recorded at Trident Studios, London, England in March 1970, and released in October 1970 in the United Kingdom and January 1971 in the United States. It is a concept album based on country and western/Americana themes. All songs are written by John and Bernie Taupin, with the exception of "Love Song" by Lesley Duncan.

<i>Honky Château</i> 1972 studio album by Elton John

Honky Château is the fifth studio album by English musician Elton John. It was released in 1972, and was titled after the 18th century French chateau where it was recorded, Château d'Hérouville. The album reached number one in the US, the first of John's seven consecutive US number one albums.

<i>The Rolling Stones, Now!</i> 1965 studio album by the Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones, Now! is the third American studio album by English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 13 February 1965 by their initial American distributor, London Records. Although it contains two previously unissued songs and an alternative version, the album mostly consists of songs released earlier in the United Kingdom, plus the group's recent single in the United States, "Heart of Stone" backed with "What a Shame". Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wrote four of the songs on the album, with the balance composed by American rhythm and blues and rock and roll artists.

<i>Heart Like a Wheel</i> 1974 studio album by Linda Ronstadt

Heart Like a Wheel is the fifth solo studio album by Linda Ronstadt, released in November 1974. It was Ronstadt's last album to be released by Capitol Records. At the time of its recording, Ronstadt had already moved to Asylum Records and released her first album there; due to contractual obligations, though, Heart Like a Wheel was released by Capitol.

<i>Too Tough to Die</i> 1984 studio album by the Ramones

Too Tough to Die is the eighth studio album by the American punk rock band the Ramones. It was released on October 1, 1984, and is the first Ramones record to feature Richie Ramone on drums. With ex-member Tommy Ramone producing, the recording process was similar to that of the band's 1976 self-titled debut album. Likewise, the record's style—both lyrically and compositionally—saw the band returning to their roots. The photograph on the album cover, which features silhouettes of the band members, resulted from a "lucky accident" after photographer George DuBose's camera malfunctioned.

<i>Risqué</i> (album) 1979 studio album by Chic

Risqué is the third studio album by American disco band Chic, released on Atlantic Records on July 30, 1979. One of the records that defined the disco era, the album became highly influential not only within the movement, but also in other styles such as hip hop, art rock and new wave. In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked the album at number 414 on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

<i>All the Young Dudes</i> (album) 1972 studio album by Mott the Hoople

All the Young Dudes is the fifth studio album by the English rock band Mott the Hoople, released in 1972. It was their initial album for the CBS Records label, after three years with Island Records in the UK and Atlantic Records in the United States and Canada.

<i>Mott</i> (album) 1973 studio album by Mott the Hoople

Mott is the sixth studio album by British rock band Mott the Hoople. It peaked at No. 7 in the UK Albums Chart. It is the last album to Feature guitarist Mick Ralphs and first without organist Verden Allen, due to Allen's departure most organ and other keyboard parts are played by Ralphs.

<i>Diana Ross</i> (1970 album) 1970 studio album by Diana Ross

Diana Ross is the debut studio album by American singer Diana Ross, released on June 19, 1970 by Motown Records. The ultimate test to see if the former Supremes frontwoman could make it as a solo act, the album was overseen by the songwriting-producing team of Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson, who had Ross re-record several of the songs the duo had recorded on other Motown acts. Johnny Bristol, producer of her final single with The Supremes, contributed on The Velvelettes cover "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You."

"Time Is on My Side" is a song written by Jerry Ragovoy. First recorded by jazz trombonist Kai Winding and his orchestra in 1963, it was covered by both soul singer Irma Thomas and then later the Rolling Stones in 1964.

<i>Floy Joy</i> (album) 1972 studio album by The Supremes

Floy Joy is the twenty-fifth studio album released by The Supremes on the Motown label. This was the only Supremes album solely produced and arranged by Smokey Robinson and included the U.S. top 20 hit, "Floy Joy" and the U.S. top 40 hit, "Automatically Sunshine", both of which were top 10 hits in the U.K.

<i>Never Too Much</i> (album) 1981 studio album by Luther Vandross

Never Too Much is the debut solo studio album by American singer Luther Vandross, released on August 12, 1981, by Epic Records. Composed by Vandross himself, the album reached number 19 on the US Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Never Too Much earned Vandross two Grammy Award nominations in 1982, including Best New Artist and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male.

References

  1. Allmusic review
  2. Christgau, Robert (1981). "A Basic Record Library: The Fifties and Sixties". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies . Ticknor & Fields. ISBN   0899190251 . Retrieved March 16, 2019 via robertchristgau.com.
  3. "500 Greatest Albums of All Time Rolling Stone's definitive list of the 500 greatest albums of all time". Rolling Stone. 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  4. (If You Cry) True Love, True Love at AllMusic
  5. 1 2 3 4 Roberts, David (2002). Guinness World Records British Hit Singles (15th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Ltd. ISBN   0-85112-187-X., p.189
  6. 1 2 3 4 The Drifters Billboard singles at AllMusic
  7. Where the Music's Playing at AllMusic
  8. The Later Drifters Article by Marv Goldberg. Accessed 9 July 2018.
  9. The Family Tree. Official Drifters website. Accessed October 11, 2007.