The Cleftones - Again

Far be it for me to say, but as doo wop groups go, I think The Cleftones are highly underatted. Even though their time came slightly later than other doo wop groups, they are still regarded as a highly influential outfit on black music with a large (still existing) following. This is a seldom heard track 'Again' by The Cleftones. You have probably heard the more famous tracks such as Heart and Soul, Little Girl of Mine, Cant We Be Sweethearts etc but hopefully by this post the strength of their other tracks will be shown. The Cleftones style is mostly uptempo east coast doo wop which - (after watching GoodFellas with 'Cant We Be Sweethearts' in the background) - got me hooked on Doo Wop. The Cleftones are my favourite doo wop outfit as their tracks always have perfect harmonies and meaningful heartfelt lyrics topped off by Herb Cox's fantastic lead singing. They were formed in 1955 at Jamaica High School, Queens, NYC. The original line up was Herbie Cox (lead), Charlie James (first tenor), Berman Patterson, (second tenor), William McClane (baritone), and Warren Corbin (bass). They were originally called the Silvertones. Initial charted hits by the group started in 1955, "You Baby You", Little Girl of Mine", "Cant We Be Sweethearts". In 1961 the 2nd generation of Cleftones produced hits consisting of members Herb Cox, Charlie James, Warren Corbin, Gene Pearson, and Pat Spann. They reached #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with Heart and Soul. They are still touring and performing to this day with Herb Cox still singing lead.
For more info on The Cleftones visit www.destinationdoowop.com/cleftones.htm
A thankyou to my sister 'originalboland' for giving me Heart and Soul - The Best of The Cleftones. And a thankyou to all those who have supported me in my small upload campaign so far, it's much appreciated.
Make up your own minds and enjoy!
dalkey130388

Category:

Music

Tags:

• rare
• doo
• wop
• r&b
• rock
• roll
• soul
• the
• cleftones
• herb
• cox
• again

[RaananVolesPianist]

The Cleftones were indeed great singers, but there's a hair-raising story in Chuck Berry's autobiography of them "taking turns" with a girl who had passed (Possibly drinking) out at a show. Chuck Berry and his wife had to take her home, help her wash and get dressed, etc.

[dalkey130388]

Bloody Hell! If that's true that's awful....

[FSSAsinger15]

My Grandma is Pat Spann aka Georgiana Lewis

[dalkey130388]

Wow, for those that dont know Pat Spann (the only female member of the cleftones) recorded the hit 'Heart and Soul'.

Thanks for your comment FSSAsinger15 and regards to your grandmother.

[aceshigh130]

Another great song from a great group. Thanks for the post.

[bethalump1]

@FSSAsinger15 You must be so proud of your grandma!

[ketefollen1984]

Love this one.Great up

[MiGrandeCazzo]

im sorry...im sure alot of you will disagree with me BUT i really REALLY dig the duprees cut of this

[MiGrandeCazzo]

@hah13 yes...YESSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!

[13loomisst]

@hah13 The Five Crowns also did an interesting version.

[hah13]

@MiGrandeCazzo many versions existed before the duprees try the Concords vesion

[YANKSNEW]

In 1956 or 57 the Cleftones made a song I WAS DREAMING. I remember them singing that song in the boys room in Jamaica High School. I  can.t seem to find it anywhere.

I would appreciate it if some one would upload it.

Thank

Yanksny@comcst.net

[MiGrandeCazzo]

is this a duprees cover?

[Afro70s]

Can't we be sweethearts is a little underrated, lovely song, fortunately made famous by Scorsese's Goodfellas.

Yes, I also love doo wop and I like Cleftones!

[nastyoscar]

i'm only 17 and this music is simply the best

well done

keep up the good work

i'll be singing this song all day

(: