Taking us back to those golden days of doo wop; these native New Yorkers (who now reside in south Florida) serenade us with group harmony gems from the old neighborhood. Doo Wop Under The Palms features outstanding renditions of "The Way You Look Tonight," "Stardust" and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes."

Five Boroughs: Frank Iovino, Bruce Goldie, John Sorrentino, Dave Strum, Jimmy DellaRosa.

Personnel: Geno Radicello, Frank Iovino, Bruce Goldie (tenor).

Audio Mixer: Frank Iovino.

Recording information: Criteria Studios, Miami, FL (1990); Hollywood Sync, Hollywood, FL (1990); Ridenour Studios, Oakland Park, FL (1990); Studio Center, Miami, FL (1990).

Arrangers: Frank Iovino; Spanky Pionegro.

A group of transplanted New Yorkers who formed a quintet in South Florida in 1986 with an eye to reviving the vocal harmony group tradition from the 1950s and 1960s, the Five Boroughs generally stick pretty close to the doo wop tradition, although they have done some light experimenting with synthesizers and drum machines on some of their tracks. This brief overview of the group from Collectables sticks close to the vest, however, and aside from arrangements that feature a bit more drums and backing band presence than one usually finds in vintage doo wop, the group takes a reverent approach to the genre. Highlights include a cover of the Cleftones' "See You Next Year," "Count Every Star," which was the title track of the group's debut album from Classic Artists Records in 1991, and a wonderfully haunting and fragile version of "Pennies from Heaven," which shows both the joy and the subtle modernization that the Five Boroughs bring to the doo wop table. ~ Steve Leggett

Genre:

• Doo Wop

Labels:

• Collectables Records

Music Categories:

• Oldies: Doowop

Product Groupings:

• Clearance CDs
• Collectables Records - Audio CDs

Product Series:

• Bargain Audio CDs & Priceless Collection