The Best of Little Anthony & the Imperials [Rhino]

by Little Anthony & the Imperials

Overview

Rhino's Best of Little Anthony & the Imperials remains one of the best collections of the group's work, spanning their tear-stained doo wop as well as their later forays into pop and soul. Along with gathering the highlights of these styles, such as "Tears on My Pillow," "Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop," "Goin' Out of My Head," and "Hurts So Bad," the album also includes 14 other notable tracks. Songs like "Two People in the World," "Diary," "So Much," and "Wishful Thinking" aren't as distinctive as the group's doo wop hits, although "A Prayer and a Jukebox" distinguishes itself with a cool, gospel-inspired organ. The wittily-named "Taking a Vacation From Love" and "I'm Alright," along with some of the other upbeat tracks, explore the more soulful direction Little Anthony & the Imperials took on their later, more successful singles. "I'm on the Outside (Lookin' In)" is a beautiful balance of their lovelorn roots and the soulful leanings of their later work, and sounds almost like a test run for the success they would have with "Goin' Out of My Head" and "Hurts So Bad." 1965's intimate "Take Me Back" and theatrical "I Miss You So" close out the collection, reflecting the directions their later work would take. 25 Greatest Hits may be the most complete single-disc look at the group's music at this point, but Best of Little Anthony & the Imperials is still a solid collection of most of their greatest moments. ~ Heather Phares

Product Details

Release Date:	10/05/1989
Label:	Rhino
UPC:	0081227091927
Rank:	19976

Tracks

1. Tears on My Pillow
2. Two People in the World
3. So Much
4. The Diary
5. It's Not for Me
6. Wishful Thinking
7. A Prayer and a Juke Box
8. I'm Alright
9. Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop
10. My Empty Room
11. I'm Taking a Vacation from Love
12. Please Say You Want Me
13. Traveling Stranger
14. I'm on the Outside (Looking In)
15. Goin' Out of My Head
16. Hurt So Bad
17. Take Me Back
18. I Miss You So

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Little Anthony & the Imperials   Primary Artist
Little Anthony   Vocals

Technical Credits

Steve Kolanjian   Liner Notes
Sid Robin   Composer
Sydney Robin   Composer
Sylvester Bradford   Composer
Bertha Scott   Composer
Bill Inglot   Remastering
Bobby Hart   Composer
Bob Weinstein   Composer
Ken Perry   Remastering
Donald Hayes   Composer
Unknown   Composer
Howard   Composer
Sam Cooke   Composer
Teddy Randazzo   Composer
Andrae Crouch   Composer
Bill Martin   Liner Notes
Patrick Welch   Composer
Anita Keys   Design
Anthony Gourdine   Composer
Geoff Gans   Art Direction
Ken Niles   Design
Bobby Wilding   Composer
Ernest Wright, Jr.   Composer
Helen Miller   Composer
Jimmy Henderson   Composer
Howard Greenfield   Composer
Little Walter   Composer
Gary Shelton   Composer
Bob Smith   Composer
Wynn Stewart   Composer
Al Lewis   Composer
Richard Barrett   Liner Notes,Composer
Neil Sedaka   Composer