We Gotta Sing - The Soul Years 1962-1971

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Cat No: QCRJAMBOX004

Release Date: 22 October 2021

Label: Strawberry / Cherry Red

Packaging Type: Clamshell

No of Units: 3

Barcode: 5013929430433

Genres: R&B

Description
- Collection of 76 recordings by The Drifters featuring all of their chart hits of the period 1962 to 1971; including mono/stereo alternate takes of titles and five unissued songs only ever available on long deleted CDs released in 1996
- With two long-thought lost recordings, never originally released, ‘I Dig Your Act’ and ‘You And Me Together Forever’ making their world-wide debut on this 3 CD
- Compiled, annotated and produced for re-issue by Bob Fisher with assistance from one of the leading experts on Drifter’s history, Pete Burns. Designed by Michael Robson and mastered by Simon Murphy this is the definitive collection of one of The Drifters’ greatest eras – ‘The Soul Years’
The Drifters have always been one of the most beloved of all African American male vocal groups. This 3CD set is devoted to what we have called for simplification purposes, ‘The Soul Years’. It presents, in chronological order, all of the recording sessions they undertook for Atlantic Records between June 28th 1962 and January 5th 1971.

The accompanying booklet lists discographical information including the group line-up, the writers of the songs, the location and date of the recording sessions, and if known, the producer and arranger of the tracks. Plus, all of their UK and US chart positions

The Drifters were originally formed in 1953 by Clyde McPhatter, one of the most influential of ‘50s R&B vocalists. By 1958 the group had been replaced by another group by their manager and this group featured Ben E King as lead singer for a short time. Lead singers on the ‘Soul Years’ sessions are mainly Rudy Lewis or Johnny Moore.

By 1962 the group moved on from their early ‘50s R&B roots and late ‘50s symphonic pop sounds to embrace the coming of Soul music. Their journey through this genre was helped by renowned songwriters like Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Ellie Greenwich, Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman, Burt Bacharach, Hal David, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and producers like Bert Berns, Jerry Wexler and Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller.

If any more proof were needed of the never-ending appeal of The Drifters’ sound it was announced in late 2019 that a West End musical would be opening, The Drifters’ Girl – based on the career of the Drifters’ manager Faye Treadwell, starring Beverley Knight. At the time of writing it is set to premiere at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal on October 9th 2021 playing until October 23rd 2021 before hopefully moving to the West End of London.
Tracklisting