The Castells song showcase

Another great rarity, that should be seen by others. The Castells were majestic. In the early 1960s, from the San Francisco area, they were musically trained, and it shows. This was their album, a valuable rarity, containing their singles from the time. The four members were Bob Ussery, Tom Hicks, Joe Kelly and Chuck Girard.

1) Stand There Mountain
2) Make Believe Wedding
3) On the Street Of Tears - flip of So This Is Love
4) Oh What It Seemed To Be (flip of S T Mountain)

These originated from the Era label, which also had singers like Donnie Brooks and Gogi Grant.
By the way, there was an early 50s R&B group with the name Castelles, which is sometimes confused by sellers.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Castells
• 1960s
• oldies

[Dogsledfan]

BTW, little-known fact - Glen Campbell played guitar on some if not most of these sessions.

[GSilverWorld]

The producers used the best arrangers and backup in Los Angeles, and it shows.

[Dogsledfan]

Had they come along a decade earlier, I think they would've had a longer career. Unfortunately, by the early 60's, this sound had sadly gone out of style. First there was Elvis the Pelvis. Then came the Beatles and then hard rock. Don't get me started on today's garbage. These guys were excellent and Chuck Girard is still singing - although I think he's more Christian-oriented now.

[GSilverWorld]

It was in style at least thru 1963.

[GSilverWorld]

There's a Castells CD compilation on the Collectables label. Can anyone report on what the sound is like? compared to vinyl?

[closedcircle1]

When I first heard 'sacred' in the late 80s I was speechless. Then completely blown away after hearing their other hits. Unmissable!

[GSilverWorld]

I'd also like to recommend The Four Aces of the 1950s.

[brerrabbit77]

Never heard this one before. Good song. 

[wes50smusic1]

Yes,In my opinion,The Castells were the smoothest white male group of all time,as the Flamingos were the smoothest black male group I've ever heard.

[4doororphan]

If I'm not mistaken, the Castells did all of their recording in the famed Gold Star Studios. Were it not for Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" that came from GSS, no one would know anything about it. Too bad a book or some form of media was never produced about this facility.

[titostacos]

@Mamamoonie04 Hi. My dad is William Landau. He wrote the lyrics to "Sacred." Adam Ross wrote the music.

[Mamamoonie04]

@titostacos WHo is your Dad? My Dad was a member of The Castells

[hjennings]

I have the Very Best of The Castells and it is a wonderful CD. I remember "Sacred" being a huge hit, but had to ask who the group was who sang it. They were fabulous! Also, "So This Is Love" was a hit when I was a teenager. They were so talented and the background music is great, too.

[mb7668]

Sorry you did not get to know your grandfather better, and that your father didn't meet him until he was thirty. Life works out very strangely sometimes.

[doowopsylv]

Hi Abby,

I loved the Castells, they were one of the groups (if not THE group) that introduced me to Doo Wop way back when!!

Shame you only got to meet your Grandad once.

Never-the-less, he was part of a great group and you must be very proud of him.

[Abby66691]

I know this is hard to believe, but Bob Ussery was my grandfather! I knew he was in the band "The Castells," But I never looked them up until today. It's crazy to see my last name (Ussery), talked about like this. Sadly, I only met my grandfather once at a Christmas party when I was six (11 years ago or so). My father didn't meet his dad until he was thirty, which was sad because Bob died shortly after.

[Johnk662561]

Chuck Girard went from The Castells to The Hondells in 1964.