While the second volume of the Early Girls series is heavier on chart hits,

the first collection offers more choice rarities (which, truth be told, is the

real value in retrospectives of this kind). A handful of these 28 cuts are

overly cloying (Earl-Jean's "I'm into Something Good" and Little Peggy March's

"I Wish I Were a Princess" are almost sickeningly sweet), but the good far

outweighs the bad -- alongside familiar singles like Shirley Ellis' "The Name

Game" and the Shirelles' "Dedicated to the One I Love" are forgotten classics

like Toni Fisher's amazing "West of the Wall" (an echo-drenched ode to Cold War-

era romance) and Dodie Stevens' delightfully goofy "Pink Shoe Laces"; early

favorites from Phil Spector (the Paris Sisters' "I Love How You Love Me") and

Carole King (the superb "It Might as Well Rain Until September," her lone solo

hit before breaking through with Tapestry a decade later) round out this smartly

compiled, well-annotated and consistently engaging set.

Label:      Ace – CDCHD 608

Series:     Early Girls

Format:CD, Compilation

Country:    UK(WITH IMPORT STICKER)

Released:   1995

Genre:      Rock

Style:      Doo Wop, Vocal, Ballad

FACTORY SEALED

TRACKLIST:

1     The Exciters–     Do-Wah-Diddy 2:25

2     Betty Everett–    You're No Good 2:18

3     Shirley Ellis–    The Name Game 2:59

4     The Cookies–      Chains 2:29

5     Carole King–      It Might As Well Rain Until September 2:22

6     Earl-Jean–  I'm Into Something Good 2:50

7     Skeeter Davis–    I Can't Stay Mad At You 2:06

8     Little Peggy March–     I Wish I Were A Princess 2:11

9     Linda Scott–      I've Told Every Little Star 2:17

10    Janie Grant–      Triangle 2:26

11    Toni Fisher–      West Of The Wall 2:31

12    Dodie Stevens–    Pink Shoe Laces 2:23

13    The Sensations –  Music, Music, Music 3:14

14    The Hearts– Dear Abby 2:55

15    Reparata & The Delrons– Whenever A Teenager Cries 2:45

16    The Murmaids–     Popsicles & Icicles 2:30

17    Robin Ward– Wonderful Summer 2:25

18    The Paris Sisters–      I Love How You Love Me 2:02

19    Bonnie Guitar–    Dark Moon 2:40

20    The Aquatones–    You 1:56

21    The Angels –      'Til 2:27

22    Kathy Young–      The Great Pretender 3:08

23    Rosie And The Originals–      Angel Baby 2:46

24    The Teen Queens–  Eddie My Love 3:10

25    The Chantels–     He's Gone 2:25

26    The Shirelles–    Dedicated To The One I Love 2:00

27    The Blossoms–     Son-In-Law 2:03

28    The Essex–  Easier Said Than Done 2:06