Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters - Blues & Rhythm Series 5142: The Chronological Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters 1953-1954 (2005)

This is a killer little collection of Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters. These are the early years, right from Billy Ward & the Dominoes, and McPhatter was making a name for himself as a solo artist in the proto-doo wop years. What's beautiful is the great balance of cuts here form the weepers and ballads such as "Bells of St. Mary's" (and yes, it does blow away Bing Crosby's version), "The Way I Feel," "Gone," and "If I Don't Love You the Way I Do," to the ripping R&B numbers like "Money Honey," "Such a Night," "Hot Ziggity," and "Three Thirty Three." Given that this is the Chronological Classics label, sound quality is wonderful, and there are enough notes to get you by just fine. This is an amazing volume full of nothing but gems. ~Thom Jurek