The Fleetwoods - Sing the Best of the Oldies

All Music Guide

It is interesting that, in 1962, the music of the late '50s was already being referred to as "the oldies." The Fleetwoods' Sing the Best Goodies of the Oldies applies the mixed trio's delicate harmonies to a dozen wellknown RB and pop hits from the mid to late '50s. Frankie Avalon's "Venus" and Ritchie Valens' "Donna" had been off the charts only a couple of years when the album was recorded. The repertoire shows the Fleetwoods' admiration of RB music even though their sound is more directly rooted in the whispery pop harmonies of groups like Patience Prudence. That makes it all the more intriguing to hear the Fleetwoods' interpretations of songs like "Over the Mountain, Across the Sea" and "Tears on My Pillow," since their versions are so different from the originals. Gary Troxel sings lead on half of the album's cuts, which illustrates an ongoing problem the group faced during its existence: although conceived as a vocal group, their label pushed them toward a format in which Gretch...en Christopher and Barbara Ellis became Troxel's background singers instead of equal partners in the vocal blend. The two gals' diminished role is evidenced by the fact that they sing lead on only three cuts each. Many of Troxel's songs are the kind of softspoken teen idol hits to which he is wellsuited, songs like "Poor Little Fool" and "Venus." The only misstep is a cover of the Cheers' noveltytinged song "Bazoom (I Need Your Lovin')," which is cute but doesn't work very well for the Fleetwoods. Sing the Best Goodies of the Oldies is subtitled Volume One, but its sequel never materialized. - Greg Adams, All Music Guide Read more Less