The Cinders, "I'll Follow You"/"The Story," Original Sound OS-43 (rel. Apr 1964)
We've told the story of Art Laboe here in the past. This disc jockey who was popular on Los Angeles radio noticed a demand by call-in listeners--and by teens who made on-the-spot requests at live broadcasts on the street--for older records that had been hits but weren't heard anymore. He put together a compilation LP called Oldies But Goodies that became a best-seller in 1959 and sired many sequel albums.
Laboe trademarked the "oldies but goodies" phrase and started a record label to cultivate new musical talent. Original Sound became one of LA's quirkiest imprints, and is a label I'll always add to my collection. I buy 'em "blind"--without hearing them--in the hope that there's something of interest.
Laboe trademarked the "oldies but goodies" phrase and started a record label to cultivate new musical talent. Original Sound became one of LA's quirkiest imprints, and is a label I'll always add to my collection. I buy 'em "blind"--without hearing them--in the hope that there's something of interest.
The label did have its share of duds, but the best of Original Sound's catalog is solid material. It's all over the musical map, from oddball novelties to passionate r&b ballads to garage-rock to girl groups. The Cinders, whomever they were, made their one single for Laboe's label in early 1964.
Producer-songwriters George Motolla and Ricky Page were LA fixtures from the dawn of rock 'n' roll. Theirs was an endless stream of pop, rock, doo-wop and r&b material. Performers who sang their songs and got records released might use them as stepping stones for something better. In the case of The Cinders, this was it. No second act.
This is a very good 1963 pop record. Released at the crest of Beatlemania 1.0, it was not a viable 1964 release. These white teenagers sing with force and intent and are quite good.
"I'll Follow You" is a bouncy devotion of undying love with a perky, agreeable beat. A string section, strong rhythm section and mucho reverb deliver the goods on a song that borrows aspects of the Phil Spector style, minus the grandiosity. This brief record does its job with efficiency and fades off before it loses its appeal. A year earlier, The Cinders might've gotten on the pop charts. But in April 1964, they were as hot as a deep-freeze.
Producer-songwriters George Motolla and Ricky Page were LA fixtures from the dawn of rock 'n' roll. Theirs was an endless stream of pop, rock, doo-wop and r&b material. Performers who sang their songs and got records released might use them as stepping stones for something better. In the case of The Cinders, this was it. No second act.
This is a very good 1963 pop record. Released at the crest of Beatlemania 1.0, it was not a viable 1964 release. These white teenagers sing with force and intent and are quite good.
"I'll Follow You" is a bouncy devotion of undying love with a perky, agreeable beat. A string section, strong rhythm section and mucho reverb deliver the goods on a song that borrows aspects of the Phil Spector style, minus the grandiosity. This brief record does its job with efficiency and fades off before it loses its appeal. A year earlier, The Cinders might've gotten on the pop charts. But in April 1964, they were as hot as a deep-freeze.
Cash Box reviewed this record as if fulfilling a favor. Minimal words, no destription of the B-side, and the write-up was the last entry on a crowded page--easy to overlook.
"The Story" dives deep in to the late 1950s sound. With that oh-so-familiar "Blue Moon" chord sequence, strummed acoustic guitar and an ocean of reverb, this rockaballad shows The Cinders' excellent harmonies; they're most appealing, and had this sound not been old news, it might have perked up 1964 listeners' ears.
There are many records from early 1964 like this one: artifacts of a pop music system locked in place, unable or unwilling to adapt to seismic cultural shifts. Their performers tried their best, presented well and delivered good records...but not the records current listeners cared to hear.
There are many records from early 1964 like this one: artifacts of a pop music system locked in place, unable or unwilling to adapt to seismic cultural shifts. Their performers tried their best, presented well and delivered good records...but not the records current listeners cared to hear.
Who knows what happened to these girls? I hope they've had a good life, and that, from time to time, they recall making this record with some fondness.
Tomorrow: SoCal harmony champs The Innocents deliver two fine songs on a 1962 Reprise Records release. Excellent singing and material; zero interest when it was new, Same ol' sad story around here!
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