Roots of Doo Wop

Roots of Doo Wop
Roots of Doo Wop

The early fifties brought the dawn of a musical form that became popular with a younger crowd although it was simply a version of a vocal harmony form born in the early century, if not long before. The street corner harmonies were a big hit as this new form of rhythm called ‘doo-wop’ saturated the top 40 R&B (and mainstream) airwaves. But the influences themselves had huge followings. We’ll hear from some of the early gospel inspirations like the Heavenly Gospel Singers as well as the vocal groups who were dominant in the form’s lineage: The Ink Spots, The Mills Brothers, and The Ravens. We’ll also hear from the groups who introduced ‘doo wop’ as we know it in the early fifties.

No.
1Artist Title Album Buy
2The Turbans When You Dance Dancin' & Romancin' In The '50s And 60s [Disc 2] Amazon
3Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet Golden Gate Gospel Train Vol. 1-(1937-38) Amazon
4Heavenly Gospel Singers The Prodigal Son Halleluja Gospel & Prayers Amazon
5The Heavenly Gospel Singers When Was Jesus Born? Goodbye, Babylon – Salvation [Disc 4] Amazon
6The Deep River Boys Melody of Love The Dark Ages: Our Music From The Beginning Amazon
7The Charioteers All God's Chillun Got Shoes The Gospel Tradition: The Roots And The Branches, Vol. 1 Amazon
8The Mills Brothers Paper Doll Best of the Decca Years Amazon
9The Mills Brothers with Duke Ellington & Orchestra Diga, Diga, Do The 1930's Recordings – Chronological Volume 2 Amazon
10Lewis Bronzville Five Low Down Gal Blues Black Secular Vocal Groups Vol. 3 Amazon
11The Ink Spots We Three (My Echo, My Shadow and Me) 40 Your Hit Parade Amazon
12The Ink Spots My Prayer Greatest Hits Amazon
13The Cats & The Fiddle I Miss You So The Very Best Of Amazon
14The Cats & The Fiddle We Cats Will Swing For You The Very Best Of Amazon
15The Cats & The Fiddle Killin' Jive The Very Best Of Amazon
16The Delta Rhythm Boys I Dreamt I Dwelt In Harlem I Dreamt I Dwelt In Harlem Amazon
17The Delta Rhythm Boys Do You Care I Dreamt I Dwelt In Harlem Amazon
18Slim & Slam The Flat Foot Floogie Slim Gaillard & Slam Stewart Columbia (Disc 1) Amazon
19Five Red Caps Mama Put Your Britches On (alt. Take) Secular Vocal Groups Vol. 4 (1926-1947) Amazon
20The Cap-Tans I'm So Crazy For Love Vocal Group Harmony Vol 8 Amazon
21The Ravens Count Every Star Doo Wop Box Disc 1 Amazon
22The Ravens My Baby's Gone OKeh Rhythm & Blues Amazon
23The Ravens Write Me A Letter Bob Dylan Presents: Radio Radio, Theme Time Radio Hour, Vol. 3 Amazon
24The Moonglows Sincerely Doo Wop Box Disc 1 Amazon
25The Toppers If Money Grew on Trees Stompin' at the Savoy: Harlem Nocturne, 1944 – 1947 Amazon
26The Five Keys The Glory of Love The Aladdin Story (Pt. 1) Amazon
27The Orioles It's Too Soon to Know Doo Wop Box Disc 1 Amazon
28The Orioles You Belong to Me Bob Dylan Presents: Cover to Cover – The Originals Amazon
29The Cardinals Wheel Of Fortune Atlantic Rhythm & Blues: 1947-1974 [Disc 1] Amazon
30The Crows Gee Feelin Fine Amazon
31The Flamingos Would I Be Crying Doo Wop Box, Vol. 3: 101 More Vocal Group Gems from the Golden Age of Rock-N-Roll Disc 3 Amazon
32The Flamingos Golden Teardrops Doo Wop Box Disc 1 Amazon
33The Five Satins In The Still Of The Night Bob Dylan Presents: Cover to Cover – The Originals Amazon
34The Penguins Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine) Street Corner Symphonies (Disc 2) Amazon
35The Cadillacs Speedo (Cadillac) Bob Dylan Presents: Radio Radio, Theme Time Radio Hour, Vol. 3 Amazon
36The Jewels Hearts of Stone Doo Wop Box Disc 1 Amazon