Krooning: Southern Doo Wop, Vol. 2

Hardly just an East Coast-West Coast phenomenon, doo wop flourished all over America, and the second volume in Ace's wrap-up illustrates that fact with a second volume of harmony vocals recorded on the other side of the Mason-Dixon line from the Times Square Record Shop. Except for the unissued takes, this is a volume of recordings originally appearing on the Memphis-based Excello label, home to Hardrock Gunter and all manner of blues, R&B, and gospel. Though none of these acts have the cache to ever appear on a Rhino compilation (perhaps The Doo Wop Box, Vol. 6?), there's solid material for the doo wop hardcore from the Gladiolas ("Comin' Home to You," "Run, Run Little Joe"), the King Krooners ("School Daze," "One Day, One Day"), the Seniors, and the Hollyhocks. ~ John Bush