Clyde McPhatter - Forgotten Angel (CD)

All Music Guide

Finally, a definitive compilation of Clyde McPhatter This two-disc collection chronicles McPhatter's hits (and some tunes that should have been hits) from the early '50s through the early '60s. It begins with over a dozen selections of Drifters material from mid-1953 to late 1954, including "Lucille" and "Money Honey." After these come classics from McPhatter's solo career (the recordings here pick up in 1955), including "Without Love (There Is Nothing)," "Lover Please," "Thirty Days," "Lovey Dovey," "I Can't Stand Up Alone," and the oldies-radio regular "A Lover's Question." With this collection, which has relatively excellent sound quality (except the few live cuts), the 32 label has done fans of early RB vocals a great service, for McPhatter is one of the undisputed greats (Smokey Robinson and Jackie Wilson were his fans). The Forgotten Angel will stand up to a lifetime of listening.

- Joslyn Layne, All Music Guide