I didn't know much about the Dells except they were a soul group.
From allmusic:The Dells are one of the finest and longest-lived R&B vocal groups in history, and what's most amazing is that they've done it with nearly all the same members — they haven't changed personnel since 1960. They were one of the very few doo wop outfits to successfully update their sound, finding their strongest commercial niche in the late '60s and '70s as a polished smooth soul harmony group.
In actual fact they started in 1953 in Chicago and are still around today … now that's a job.
Though not a big soul fan I do like the music in dribs and drabs and I have always liked the non–Motown stuff as I found Motown a bit too clean and "white" at times. It's only later when Motown acts started experimenting that it became a bit more interesting for me.
This LP certainly isn't clean or white and the Dells aren't making any new sounds here but every track oozes old school soul. There are songs which show The Dells doo wop roots ("Love is so Simple") and there are a couple of tracks which wouldn't be out of place in 1960 ("Please Don't Change Me Now", "O-O I Love You"). They also largely avoid, rightly or wrongly, any topical issues for a record released in 1968., which is odd. Even Elvis released some topical songs in 1968 ("If I Can Dream", "Clean Up Your Own Backyard").
Very few (one?) of the songs are written by the Dells (which is fairly commonplace in soul) but it's the "singer" not the "song" that counts. And these songs are sung well … and ultimately fun.
Best Tracks
- There is – pretty funky
- Stay in My Corner – a slow ballad – that goes for 6:10 minutes!
- Wear it on Our Face – big band MOR and very Motown – great harmonies
- Higher and Higher – a great song – never done better than by the great Jackie Wilson (probably my favourite soul artist) but this version (which I believe is earlier) is good also.
- Love is so Simple – straight doo wop … you gotta love doo wop.
And …
Not enough to be a keeper but there are certainly a few songs I will tape.
Chart Action
The album:
went to #4 on the "Black" album charts, #29 on the Pop charts.
The singles:
Stay In My Corner Black Singles #1
Stay In My Corner Pop Singles #10
There Is Black Singles #11
There Is Pop Singles #20
Wear It On Our Face Black Singles #27
Wear It On Our Face Pop Singles #44
Stay In My Corner Pop Singles #10
There Is Black Singles #11
There Is Pop Singles #20
Wear It On Our Face Black Singles #27
Wear It On Our Face Pop Singles #44
Sounds
There Is
attached (sorry the LP I have is pretty scratchy)
a recent clip of them doing "There is"
Stay in My Corner
Wear it on Our Face
Love is so Simple
Bio
(If you like Marvin Gaye read this)
Website
(originally posted: 10/10/2009)
