Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Having gone on record to say that the Swan Silvertones are possibly the finest vocal group ever to step into a recording studio, readers will hardly be surprised to find I am somewhat enthusiastic at a CD wherein two albums, (one of which I was once prepared to pay exorbitant dosh for as an import) are available on one glorious, digitally remastered 24-track compilation. These sides recorded in 1952 and 1953 capture the group at their prime with those two startling voices Claude Jeter - he of silk-smooth soulfulness, and Robert Crenshaw - who could out-rasp and holler any soulman you can name - encased in marvellous layers of stentorian harmony. Sometimes they go into church-wrecking overdrive, sometimes they stay cool as any band of street-corner doowoppers while the songs, though sometimes merely devices to get to the call-and-response excitement never deviate from the old, old story. Classic stuff.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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