Search - The Robins :: I Must Be Dreamin: The Robins on RCA Crown and Spark 1953-55

Better than the coasters

electroncloud | northwest new jersey, USA | 12/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These guys, or at least some of them, went on to found the Coasters. The Robins were more doo-wop, more rockin', less comedy than what the Coasters became, although you can hear elements of what was to come in their music. This disc is a fine selection of early rock 'n' roll for your collection. And yes, most of it does rock."

Track Listing

J. D. Hendricks | Gig Harbor, WA | 10/20/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Robins-A top ten R & B chart act in December 1955 with their Leiber & Stoller produced "Smokey Joe's Café", the history of The Robins vocal group goes back a decade before that from their origins in Johnny Otis' revue in the late 1940s, with whom they scored big R&B hits with "If It's So Baby" (#10) and "Double Crossing Blues" (#1). This new El Toro compilation catches up with the group in 1953 after escaping from the Otis band and signing with RCA Victor, recording several sessions with budding producers, Leiber and Stoller, who took them to their new Spark label where they cut "Smokey Joe's Cafe".

Featuring a talented, all-star line-up including Bobby Nunn and Carl Gardner whom Leiber and Stoller would use as the nucleus of their next supergroup, The Coasters, this compilation is a near perfect blend of smoky ballads and torrid jump tunes. (write-up provided by El Torro Records).

1 My Heart's The Biggest Fool2 A Fool Such As I3 All Night Baby4 Oh Why5 Let's Go To The Dance6 How Would You Know7 My Baby Done Told Me8 I'll Do it9 Ten Days In Jail10 Empty Bottles11 Don't Stop Now12 Get It Off Your MInd13 Double Crossin' Baby14 I Made A Vow15 All I Do Is Rock16 Key To My Heart17 Riot In A Cell #918 Wrap It Up19 Loop The Loop Mambo20 Framed21 If Teardrops Were Kisses22 Whadaya Want?23 I Love Paris24 One Kiss25 The Hatched Man26 I Must Be Dreamin'27 Just Like A Fool28 Smokey Joe's Cafe."