The Flamingos Flamingo Serenade - Flamingo Favourites (CD)

(Westside) 24 tracks.

ENDLP 304: "FLAMINGO SERENADE" ...was originally released in April 1959. It represents George Goldner's ambitious concept to create an entire album with an R'n'B vocal group singing popular standards (a concept he repeated successfully with Little Anthony and the Imperials' ''Shades Of The '40's" set - see and hear Westside WESM 556). The album was produced by Henry Glover under the personal supervision of Goldner. and was issued in both mono (ENDLP 304) and true stereo (ENDLPS 304). It features a dozen smooth vocal gems. performed with the rich and intricate vocal harmonies that are a trademark of the Flamingos. The album's cover is consistent with what's in its grooves, featuring a photo of the sextet - dressed in light blue tuxedos with black trim - gathered around a table laden with candles and champagne. Smooth and classy all the way!

The track selection by George Goldner included 4 songs which were to be released as singles. all 4 cuts from the Flamingos' extended-play 45rpm that was released in March 1959. and 4 additional standards which appear only on this album. The 4 singles were: "Love Walked In" (End 1044 and 1055), "But Not For Me" (End 1040). "Yours" (End 1055 - all issued in 1959) and "Time Was (End 1092 - issued in 1961). Two of the cuts from End EP 205 were also issued as a single in 1959. "I Only Have Eyes For You"/"Goodnight Sweetheart" (End 1046) charted for 13weeks (peak #3) on Billboard during the summer of 1959, and "Eyes" has since become both an all-time classic of the Rock 'n' Roll era and the Flamingos' signature song. The other EP cuts, "Music Maestro Please" and -I'm In The Mood For Love". plus 4 additional album-only tracks complete a package of standards done wonderfully in the Flamingos style - truly a "Flamingo Serenade"!

ENDLP 307: "FLAMINGO FAVORITES" ...was released in October 1960, and was essentially a continuation of Goldner's concept of having the Flamingos sing popular standards for both teenage and adult audiences. It was issued in both mono (LP 307) and stereo (LPS 307) although, as with some of Goldner's other album releases. some of the alleged stereo masters were merely electronically-rechannelled mono mixes. (This CD release keeps the true stereo cuts and replaces the -fakes" with the original mono masters.) The album's cover is directed to the younger market, depicting a group of teenagers at a "typical" 1950's record party. They're having a great time dancing and spinning records by the Flamingos (shown with an imaginative rendering of the End Label).

The tracks on this album include four songs released as End singles: "Heavenly Angel" (End 1062) from 1959, "Sesame Mucho" (End 1066 and 1070) and "Mio Amore" (End 1073) from 1960, and 'Dream Girl" (End 1092), issued later in 1961. At the time of the album's release, "Mio Amore" had recently scored on the Billboard charts for 3 weeks (peak #27) during the summer of 1960. The remaining 8 songs -including the entire second side of the record - were released only as part of this album. Overall. these sides - plus the 12 on the first Flamingos album -provide two dozen standards performed in the unique and beautiful styling of the Flamingos.