Down in the Alley: The Best of the Clovers

The Clovers: John "Buddy" Bailey, Matthew McQuarter, Harold Lucas, Charlie White, Billy Mitchell, Harold Bailey (vocals); Bill Harris (guitar).
Producers: Ahmet Ertegun, Herb Abramson, Jerry Wexler.
Recorded between 1951 & 1955 in New York, New York.
Digitally remastered by Stephen Innocenzi (1991, Atlantic Studios, New York, New York).
Although the Clovers began as fairly conventional balladeers in the tradition of the Mills Brothers and the Ink Spots, once they signed to the then fledgling Atlantic Records label they began to rasp some of the polish off their work. Eventually, they became the first of the traditional late '40s vocal groups to make the transition to R&B and rock.
This typically excellent Rhino anthology has all their best work, including the sublime mini-playlet "Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash," the inventively arranged title tune, and the hilarious paean to excess "Nip Sip." And don't miss "Blue Velvet" (yes, the same song immortalized by Bobby Vinton), which the Clovers render with a delicacy (and just a hint of irony) that's almost breathtaking--imagine what David Lynch could have made of it.