Search - Lee Andrews & The Hearts :: Very Best of

Nice collection of one of the 1950's great vocal groups

Paul Tognetti | Cranston, RI USA | 05/27/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hailing from Philadelphia USA, Lee Andrews and the Hearts certainly made their mark during the late fifties. While most doo wop vocal groups never made the Billboard Top 100, Lee Andrews and the Hearts managed to place three songs on the charts. The haunting "Long Lonely Nights", "Try The Impossible" and their biggest hit "Teardrops" all charted between the summer of '57 and the summer of '58. Over the years the group would record several other memorable sides including "Maybe You'll Be There", a compelling dop wop version of the great WWII standard "The White Cliffs of Dover" as well as other tunes like "The Clock" and "Lonely Room." In "The Complete Book of Doo Wop", authors Matthew Schiff and Anthony Gribin list the Best 1000 Doo Wop Songs of All Time. Lee Andrews and the Hearts place 10 tunes on that list and 8 of those appear on this compilation.
This CD issued in 2002 by Collectables replaces an earlier less comprehensive release. After 1960 there were myriad personnel changes and the group would never again make the charts. And as time went on the group would develop a more soulful 1960's sound reminiscent of the Four Tops or Temptations. A handful of these tunes appear on this disc. At least one of them, "I've Had It" from 1968 could have been a major hit with the right promotion. Collectables has outdone itself on this one. There is a detailed 3 page bio of the group and the sound quality is superb. A nice addition to your music library."

Long lonely hearts

Robert S. Estes | Santa Rosa, Ca | 05/27/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Lee Andrews & the Hearts had a quintessential hugging pillow doo wop hit, "Long Lonely Nights", and another good gosh sweetly pained "Teardrops" that featured Lee's off centered Philly street corner voice and the Hearts consistant flat background notes. The from the local Musicians union that played on the records were of no help. Yet, there is such an aching in Andrew's voice that it almost makes up for it all.



This CD has all the hits and a fine booklet of Lee Andrews and the Hearts history, a story oft-told yet still revelant. For historians and seekers, a fine compenium..the rest will yawn as they fall asleep on those long and lonely nights"