Memories of Times Square Record Shop (11-CD Box Set)

In the late 1950s, the Doo Wop era began in a small subway arcade shop located beneath the Walgreen's Drug Store at Broadway and 42nd Street in New York City. Jerry Greene, a young teenager from Brooklyn, would travel to Times Square in search of records he heard on the Alan Freed radio show. One of his favorite stops was a costume jewelry store that strangely enough, also sold records - twenty for a dollar. Before long, Jerry had convinced owner Irv "Slim" Rose that there was a much bigger market for records, especially if priced correctly and there was someone to manage the section, monitor the inventory, and keep one ear on the radio and the other on customer requests. Jerry had found himself a job. In short time (and with help from mentions by Alan Fredericks on his popular "Night Train" radio show on WHOM), the Times Square Record Shop became the place where record collectors went to shop, and became quite influential in the launching of many vocal groups in the New York market. This amazing 11-CD, 154 song box set collection contains rare and obscure Doo Wop finds from the days of the Times Square Record Shop. It was personally compiled by Jerry Greene and includes extensive liner notes written by him about this important piece of Doo Wop history.

With a title like Memories of Times Square Record Shop, you wouldn't think that this Collectables series would have such broad appeal, but it compiles dozens of rare doo wop singles -- most of which are excellent -- that have changed hands for substantial sums. Obsessive doo wop fans won't be 100 percent satisfied, of course (these are, after all, budget releases), but the beauty of these discs is that the music can be enjoyed by the informed and merely interested alike. This box set combines all 11 volumes, with appearances from dozens upon dozens of under-recognized groups. Needless to say, there's plenty to devour. ~ Andy Kellman

Genre:

• Doo Wop

Labels:

• Collectables Records

Music Categories:

• Oldies: Doowop

Product Groupings:

• Collectables Records - Audio CDs