Reviews of the October 4th Burlington Concert

From OLDIES FOREVER Magazine November 2008 issue by Kate Karp

CONCERT HAPPENINGS

The 2008 Burlington Concert: High Holy Days

By Kate Karp

No one who attended Black Swan Production’s October 4, 2008 Burlington Concert will disagree that it was a religious experience, and not just because there were two performances by The Continentals of “Dear Lord” and one of “The Angels Sang” by the Solitaires.

The faithful consisted of more then 250 collectors, disc jockeys, record dealers, authors, music professionals and listeners whom the sound hit early on in life and stayed. The parking lot outside the Mayo Theater at the College of New Jersey campus in Ewing looked like what may have been deleted from the record jacket photo of The Rumble album. There was hardly any chitchat in the audience as the members sat in awestruck reverence, and there was as much up-and-down and expression of the spirit as there is at a tent revival meeting.

“I’d say, ‘You’re crazy!” said the Calvaes’ James Brown when asked what he might have responded if someone had told him that after the year 2000, he and his music would be subjected to worship.

Organizer Mark del Costello and a dedicated group of supporters put together an unbelievable slate of around 20 acts, consisting of artists who remain from groups that first became obsessions nearly 60 years ago. Helping at the helm were Bobby Diskin (great name for a collector), Charlie & Pam Horner, Frank Chille, Val Shively, Lou Rallo, Terry Stewart and a host of boosters, all of whom helped with financial support, finding people, and convincing them that they really wanted to sing.

The show was divided into two parts, with a cozy inexpensive dinner with the artists and organizers in the student cafeteria. Nobody likes a list, but this lineup has to be printed (with some gaspy asides), if you weren't there for the show-or if you were there, to remind you that you actually saw and heard these people. Performing were The Sheps; a Philly supergroup consisting of members of Tony & The Masquins, Bluenotes, Dreams and Starlites, Billy Taylor and George Grant of The Castelles: James Brown of The Calvaes; Eulas Mason of The Velours; Bill Witt of The Rocketones; Charades; Kool Gents (one member had to be rushed to the hospital just before the performance-he's fine now); The Continentals, Bay Bops (the only group with all the original members present); The Sheppards with original lead Mill Edwards; Terry Johnson’s Flamingos/Whispers; The Sparrows Quartet (with three original members and Vie Dana); Dino DeAngelo & The Heartspinners: Lillian Leach & The Mellows with Eugene Tompkins; The Academics; Morris Wade; The Wrens: The Five Discs with lead John Carbone tougher than the Brooklyn Dodgers; Charles Weldon of The Paradons: the original Four Deuces’ lead Luther McDaniel, decked out in bow!er and sequined white suit--what a character, and what a perfomer: and The Solitaires' Reunion-with seven members who sang during the entire career. Imagine the hum and soaring falsetto in seven-part harmony. Do you use a heating pad for the goose bumps or take a cold shower?

    "The show was geared more toward collectors and heavy on the obscure," said del Costello, whose onstage demeanor was as solemn as that of a rabbi. "I lean on obscurities because these guys weren't invited to go on major TV shows. I'm not that concerned with hits,"

    The HK Combo provided excellent if sometimes overpowering backups, and Bobby Jay was a terrific MC. High points? You must be kidding. It would take the entire magazine to describe them. Buy the DVD. Briefly, The Sparrows Quartet's acappella mastery was so tight that the loose ends of the strings floated everywhere-with hooks attached. DeAngelo and Carbone, even at this point, still have their falsettos. Leach is still queen, and Tompkins sang a wonderful Ink Spots-flavored "If I Didn't Care." There were barely any low points-maybe just one-and there's a heartfelt plea to I the otherwise satisfying Academics: please, next time. sing "Daria, My Darling," for crying out loud.

This show was holy enough to transport us closer to Heaven, and it must have brought great joy to those who preceded us. It is hoped that Mark del Costello and his minions recharge and produce another show. In Bill Witt's words, "Do it now-tomorrow isn't promised to us."

Reviews of the October 4th Burlington Concert

Review of the
2008 Burlington Concert
by Todd Baptista

Burlington ’08: Magic For Vocal Group Harmony Fans

Todd Baptista

Twenty-five years after producing what many vocal group enthusiasts consider the greatest and most important concert event in the genre’s history, producer Mark del Costello celebrated by returning to Burlington County, New Jersey on Saturday, October 4, 2008, with a lineup of 21 different acts, many of whom had not performed publicly in nearly a half-century.  With support from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Black Swan Society staged two three-hour shows at the cozy Mayo Theater on the College of New Jersey campus before a select group of enthusiasts and collectors who paid $200 per ticket.  As in 1983, professional film crews and sound engineers captured it all for a planned DVD release.

Coming more than 50 years after many of the acts disbanded, some wondered if there could be any magic left.  By the time that returning emcee Bobby Jay left the stage at 11:30 that night, there was no question as to the degree of talent present, and the importance and sheer emotional impact of the event.  Not only did Burlington ’08 serve as a catalyst to reunite collectors and fans with the artists and one another, it introduced a host of never-before-seen performers to those who had listened to their records for decades, and it did so in spectacular style.

The Sheps kicked off the proceedings with a rousing acappella set highlighted by a sparkling version of the El Dorados’ classic, “There In The Night”.  Original Castelles George Grant and Billy Taylor were joined by Wes Hayes and Ron Kennedy for a Philadelphia Tribute set early in the afternoon, with Grant’s pristine lead tenor still intact on classics including “Over A Cup Of Coffee” and “This Silver Ring”.

Calvaes’ lead James “Zeke” Brown delivered his recordings to an audience for the first time in a half-century, picking up the tempo with a rollicking “Born With Rhythm”, backed soulfully by the Sheps.  With the equally tight Bravados accompanying, Eulius Mason of the Martells and the California-based Charades delivered brief but entertaining sets, sandwiching Bill Witt of the Rocketones, who raised the bar with spirited renditions of “Dee I” and “Mexico”, ably backed by the Sheps.

The first performance of the Kool Gents in more than 50 years was limited to just two songs when second lead Tommy Williams fell ill backstage.  The group- which included pioneers Cicero Blake, Howard McClain, Doug Brown, and John Carter, soldiered on with the solid blues ballads, “This Is The Night” and “I Just Can’t Help Myself”, drawing audible gasps from the crowd.  Brooklyn, New York’s original Bay Bops sang together for the first time since 1958.

The Continentals, with original lead Danny Hicks, were among the most polished acts on the bill, impressing with spot-on versions of their Whirlin’ Disc sides, highlighted by “Dear Lord”.  The Sheppards’ lone survivor, lead tenor Mil Edwards, still possesses the warm, distinctive voice heard on the group’s records, which he demonstrated on soulful renditions of “Island Of Love” and “Tragic”, backed by the Bravados.

Terry Johnson’s Flamingos closed the first show with an 11-song set featuring chestnuts spanning Terry’s career with the Whispers, Starglows, and Flamingos.  The 69 year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s skills as a vocal arranger, storyteller, singer, and showman shined brightly throughout.  Resplendent in sparkling gold and black outfits, Johnson, Theresa Trigg, Jeff Calloway, and Joe Mirrione were flawless on hits including “Lovers Never Say Goodbye” and “Mio Amore” and collector’s favorites including the Whispers’ “Are You Sorry” and “Fool Heart”.  Listening to the dreamy “Tenderly”, spotlighting Ms. Trigg, and “But Not For Me”, Johnson’s complex harmony patterns made four voices sound like six.  From the opening notes of "When I Fall in Love" to the closing strains of "I Only Have Eyes For You", Terry Johnson’s Flamingos were, quite simply, world-class.

The Sparrows Quartette opened the second show with a strong acappella set, and were ably followed by late additions Dino and the Heartspinners and Lillian Leach and the Mellows.  Gene Tompkins’ take on the Ink Spots’ “If I Didn’t Care” was a highlight in the latter’s performance, their first in four years.  New Haven, Connecticut’s Academics made a rare appearance, and were followed by Morris Wade, the original lead of the Columbus Four Pharaohs.  With backing from the Bravados, the six-foot five Wade was impressive and impassioned, delivering “Give Me Your Love” and “Is It Too Late?” in a soulful baritone that drew shouts.

The Wrens, featuring original lead Bobby Mansfield, were another highlight, with the hauntingly beautiful “C’Est La Vie” and the rocking “Come Back My Love”.  John Carbone, original lead of the Five Discs, and his group were warmly received on a handful of favorites, including “Adios” and “Never Let You Go”.  The Discs group returned to back Paradons lead Charles Weldon who delivered a note-for-note version of his signature hit, “Diamonds and Pearls”.

“Lord Luther” McDaniels made his first East Coast appearance in decades, mixing several of his best known solo sides with a pair of the tunes he recorded as the Four Deuces’ lead singer, climaxing with an all-out “W-P-L-J”, backed by the Sheps that brought the audience to its feet once again.

Closing the festivities was the highly-anticipated reunion of the Solitaires, with eight men lending their voices to the 15-song set.  Longtime lead Milton Love and his current aggregation were joined on stage by veteran bass Fred Barksdale and his predecessor, Pat Gaston, who performed the opening recitation on “The Wedding”.

Love delivered spell-binding versions of “Embraceable You”, “Nothing Like A Little Love”, and his recording debut with the Concords, “Candlelight”, proving the veteran tenor remains a master of his craft at 71.

The comet in a day filled with bright stars, however, came with the presence of 72 year-old Herman Dunham, the group’s original lead singer.  Dunham has been something of an enigma since leaving the Solitaires in late 1957, primarily performing gospel music in local churches while living in both New York and Washington.  There is no question that Herman’s crystal-clear high tenor has changed through the years.  Gone is the high falsetto that was once an effortless slide from his natural, soft voice.  That role is now capably filled by tenor Don Cruz.  But for raw power, emotion, and luster, the soulful Dunham was perhaps the highlight of the entire evening, drawing one standing ovation after another for “Wonder Why”, “My Dear”, “I Really Love You So (Honey Babe)”, “Blue Valentine”, and “Please Remember My Heart”.

The impact among the performers themselves was, quite simply, overwhelming.  “There was such emotion that day among the singers,” del Costello explained later.  “Terry Johnson of the Flamingos and Pat Gaston of the Solitaires, among others, told me that I "had no idea what I had done for them, the singers and this music.  This was much more than just a concert.”  Many, including Morris Wade of the Columbus Pharaohs, Mil Edwards of the Sheppards, and members of the Kool Gents seemed overcome as they exited the stage following their performances.   Tears and hugs were the norm.  Edwards, who was cajoled out of retirement by his grandchildren, remarked “I found myself thinking about the guys in the group who have all passed away.  It got to me out there, and I really didn’t expect that to happen.”  “This was the first time I’ve sung these songs in public since 1959,” Wade admitted.  “I’m so happy right now I can’t even tell you.”

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame President and CEO Terry Stewart called the 1983 show “the most important concert of all time” and the 25^th anniversary event “one of the best concerts of all-time.”  It would be hard to argue with his assessment.  On the so-called “oldies circuit”, artists often sit in the dressing rooms, playing cards or chatting until their set time arrives.  On this day, performers hunted down one of the few empty seats or opted for a standing room spot for the opportunity to watch their peers.  Lillian Leach and the Mellows were spellbound by Terry Johnson’s Flamingos.  The Bay Bops cheered the Continentals.  The Flamingos shouted for the Wrens.  It was a long day, to be sure, but no one was looking for an early ride back to the hotel.

The necessary camera and film changes were seamless, with zero dead time from start to finish and bandleader Hal Keshner and his combo were well-rehearsed, authentic, and effective throughout, complementing the acts nicely.  Del Costello promised patrons that Black Swan Productions would announce another event “soon”, with more than three dozen groups in the chute for future concerts.  As patrons and performers alike headed out into the chilly autumn night, nothing but smiles, handshakes, and words of praise could be heard.  Del Costello had, indeed brought back the glories of that special 1983 event.  But, more importantly, he delivered flowers to the living, and, in the process, rekindled the artistic flame among a select group of pioneers who had been silent far too long.