Mickey & Sylvia - Love Is Strange & Other Hits (1989)

Unless you're a major R&B collector, it's likely you've never heard anything by this duo besides "Love Is Strange," their only major hit (and a great one). With 20 cuts from 1956-1960, this disc reissues the bulk of their most interesting work. "Love Is Strange" will remain their most memorable tune after you've heard this, but on the whole, this is way-above-average '50s R&B/rock. If you're hungering for more great solos like the ones in "Love Is Strange," you'll find some here, especially in "There Oughta Be a Law" and the instrumental "Shake It Up," although Baker's virtuosity doesn't dominate most of the songs. Some of these tunes are routine doo wop, but a little over half the material is pretty strong, ranging from the calypso-rock they're best remembered for to ballads to straight-ahead R&B shouters, with King Curtis on sax.

Tracklist:
1-1 Mickey & Sylvia - Love Is Strange [2:55]
1-2 Mickey & Sylvia - Rise Sally Rise [2:12]
1-3 Mickey & Sylvia - This Is My Story [2:39]
1-4 Mickey & Sylvia - There Oughta Be A Law [2:43]
1-5 Mickey & Sylvia - No Good Lover [2:56]
1-6 Mickey & Sylvia - Rock And Stroll Room [2:35]
1-7 Mickey & Sylvia - Shake It Up [2:10]
1-8 Mickey & Sylvia - Peace of Mind [3:00]
1-9 Mickey & Sylvia - Sweeter As The Days Go By [2:31]
1-10 Mickey & Sylvia - Bewildered [3:01]
1-11 Mickey & Sylvia - What Would I Do? [2:31]
1-12 Mickey & Sylvia - Say the Word [2:48]
1-13 Mickey & Sylvia - In My Heart [2:14]
1-14 Mickey & Sylvia - Walkin' in the Rain [2:20]
1-15 Mickey & Sylvia - Dearest [2:59]
1-16 Mickey & Sylvia - Where Is My Honey? [2:20]
1-17 Mickey & Sylvia - It's You I Love [2:25]
1-18 Mickey & Sylvia - Love Will Make You Fail in School [2:45]
1-19 Mickey & Sylvia - I'm Going Home [2:20]
1-20 Mickey & Sylvia - Can't Get You On the Phone [2:57]