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Availability:
Only 4 left in stock, order soon!
Arrives
Friday, May 29
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Format: MP3 Music, August 3, 2005
Description
Special packaging: hinged digi. The Cameo Parkway boxed set that we all have been dreaming of, 115 tracks including 74 chart hits! Painstakingly assembled from the best sources possible (98% from the original tapes), and all in original mono, the tracks include performances by all of the label's stars and it's one-hit wonders. A booklet tells the fascinating story of this label. Nervous and retiring, Bernie Lowe hardly seemed the stuff of an indie-label pioneer. But when the musician and former music-school teacher teamed up with former student/struggling comedy writer Kal Mann in a fledgling songwriting partnership that eventually saw Elvis score with their "Teddy Bear," the die was cast. The pair had launched Cameo the previous year in Lowe's Philadelphia basement, showing a quick knack for scoring chart success with MOR pop (Charlie Grace's "Butterfly"), novelty kitsch (Zacherle's "Cool Ghoul"), and teen-idol rock (Bobby Rydell and others)--the latter thanks largely to serving as talent farm/bullpen for Dick Clark's then Philly-based American Bandstand. But it was Chubby Checker's era- defining dance smash "The Twist" that saw the label's fortunes soar (still the only record to claw its way to the top of the charts in two different years). This generous, 115-track, four-disc anthology of the label's long out-of-print catalog details those highlights and more, wending its way through even unlikelier novelty fare (Clint Eastwood's rasping tribute to his Rawhide TV character, "Rowdy"; RFK impersonator "Senator Bobby" orating a dizzy cover of the Troggs' "Wild Thing") to such '60s garage-rock staples as ? and the Mysterians' classic "96 Tears," the first American release by the Kinks, and promising early sides by Bob Seger. --Jerry McCulley
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
Language : English
Product Dimensions : 5.24 x 5.16 x 0.94 inches; 5.29 ounces
Manufacturer : ABKCO
Original Release Date : 2005
Date First Available : January 28, 2007
Label : ABKCO
Number of discs : 4
Best Sellers Rank: #140,181 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl) #702 in Garage Bands #4,772 in Soul (CDs & Vinyl) #13,803 in Alternative Rock (CDs & Vinyl)
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Top Amazon Reviews
With this Abkco release the one remaining missing piece of the history of early rock `n roll is finally officially available domestically on compact disc. With a generous 115 tracks (about half hitting the top 40) on this long overdue four disc set many fans and collectors will certainly be pleased (at least for now). This box covers a decade of recordings by some of the most popular artists on the radio and record charts before rock `n roll drastically changed forever. The packaging will never please everyone. Because this box set is small (slightly larger than the size of two standard jewel cases) storage is easy. I recommend getting the four discs in jewel cases right away (instead of using the retro cardboard sleeves included in this set). The re-mastering is excellent! Great sound is what every fan of these songs would demand and most will not be disappointed. Of course since every track is in mono (with the one exception being the stereo version of "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Patti LaBelle and her Blue Belles on disc three) some will argue that the label could have released the stereo mixes where available. Since every track sounds incredibly clean, crisp, and clear (better than it did coming out of your AM transistor radio) that issue is minor. Only four of the tracks were dubbed from vinyl (the original master tapes were used for all of the remaining tracks). The 44 page booklet includes a seventeen page essay detailing the history of the label. Of course the booklet includes liner notes on each track along with credits, Billboard chart info, etc. The booklet is just barely over the size of a 4.5 inch square and I had no problems reading the small print. Harder on the eyes are the pictures, picture sleeves and samples of the original labels that were included. The four discs look like your old vinyl thanks to the black color used on both sides of the discs. Songwriters Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe formed the Cameo label in Philadelphia at the end of `56. In 1957 Dick Clark was hosting from Philadelphia his popular dance show "American Bandstand" on the ABC network. These local artists were on the national show frequently and their songs were often played over and over again on the show. Soon the artists on Cameo (Bobby Rydell, the Orlons, Dee Dee Sharp, etc.) and Parkway (Chubby Checker, the Dovells, the Tymes, etc.) were household names. Opportunities for future "best of " discs that cover the individual careers of Bobby and Chubby would help complete the story that this box set only begins (some would argue that the Dovells, the Tymes, the Orlons, and Dee Dee merit their own hits collections as well). Abkco may release these highly anticipated compilations before the end of 2005 (stay tuned). The first disc starts off with a couple of big hits from `57. Charlie Grace's number one hit "Butterfly" and the follow-up top 20 hit "Fabulous." The Rays big chart hit "Silhouettes" along with the flip side "Daddy Cool" are also included (both tracks are vocal group harmony classics). Then comedian Timmie Rogers hit the top 40 with "Back to School Again." 1958 brought more success with local horror movie host John Zacherle's "Dinner with Drac" and Dave Appell's Applejacks. Both of the Applejacks' top 40 hits are included. Dave Appell was one of Cameo's most important signings, as he went on to co-write hits for many of the other artists. In `59 Bobby Rydell (born Robert Ridarelli) had his first of eighteen solo top 40 chart hits with "Kissin' Time." That tune plus his six top ten hits are included in this set. Chubby Checker scored his first top 40 entry with "The Class" in the summer of '59. Just over a year later Chubby (the former chicken plucker known as Ernest Evans) had all of America dancing to his version of "The Twist." Those two recordings plus three more of Chubby's twenty solo top 40 hits are included in this set. Chubby's hit duet with the teenage Dee Dee Sharp ("Slow Twistin') plus two more duets with Bobby Rydell can also be found here. Dee Dee was the label's most successful solo female artist. All of Dee Dee's four top ten solo recordings are on disc two. The Orlons (all five of their top 20 hits) and the Dovells (with three top 40 hits) are well represented. Disc two even has minor chart entries by Jo Ann Campbell, Candy & the Kisses and Clint Eastwood (years before he won his first Academy Award). The third disc includes three top 40 hits by the Tymes plus the top ten instrumental hit "Caste Your Fate to the Wind." We're also treated to the top 20 novelty hit version of "Wild Thing" recorded by Senator Bobby (voice impressionist Bill Minkin) from early '67. Disc three also has tracks by Johnny Maestro (after he left the Crests), the Kinks (with two tracks they recorded before they scored with "You Really Got Me"), and former Beatle Pete Best. The fourth and final disc includes three chart hits by ? and the Mysterians (the punk-rock quintet from Saginaw, Michigan). Rounding out the collection are several tracks by artists that all went on to bigger success elsewhere (Bob Seger, the Delfonics, the Five Stairsteps, and Eddie Holman) plus minor top 40 entries by Chris Bartley, the Ohio Express and Bunny Sigler. By this time Thom Bell and Kenny Gamble were at the label writing and producing, but their talents would blossom elsewhere. Once the British Invasion (the Beatles, the Stones, the Animals, etc.), the powerful R&B sounds on the Stax, Volt, and Atlantic labels (Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Aretha Franklin, etc.), and the sound of young America coming out of Detroit's Gordy, Motown and Tamla labels (the Miracles, the Supremes, the Four Tops, the Temptations, etc.) took control of the airwaves (and the charts) there was no room for the Cameo-Parkway label. Of course Dick Clark moving his national dance program to the west coast in the mid sixties did not help either. Mann and Lowe sold the label in 1965 and the company eventually moved to New York. By the summer of 1967 the label was sold to Allen Klein. All these years latter we finally get to revisit these recordings in glorious re-mastered original mono. Worth the wait in deed!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2005 by S. Paradoa
I purchased this when it was released, a child took it when she moved out and I just replaced it. A good collection of songs most of which the oldie stations don't have. Which makes this collection all the better. Not every song is for everybody but if you watched Bandstand, and later American Bandstand you'll be pleased with this collection. There are some novelty songs including Bobby Kennedy. Well, an impersonator, but a long lost hit. Clint Eastwood appears as himself and a young Jimmy Page is heard on another song. If you have been sitting on the fence whether to buy or not, go for it. I don't think it will be offered much longer. There's over 100 songs, the limitations of the recording equipment used is evident on some of the songs, but they sound good. Better than they did on the transistor radios and B&W tv's of the day. A good choice for fans of this era's rock and roll.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2017 by B. Aday
It had gotten to the point where I thought I would probably never live to see the day. For more than three decades the vast majority of the hits recorded on Philadelphia's Cameo and Parkway labels from 1957 thru 1967 have been out of print and for the most part unavailable. Collectors could simply not understand what was going on. Being unable to purchase the original recordings by artists like Bobby Rydell and Chubby Checker left a huge void in many collections. That is why when I stumbled upon this 4 disc set some two months ago on Amazon I preordered my copy immediately. Well, the wait is finally over and I am thrilled to report that everything about "Cameo Parkway 1957-1967" is absolutely first rate. Abkco Records has emptied the vaults and showered us with 115 tracks from that fabulous era. So many great hits, so many lost 45's. I have been collecting records for over 40 years now and I must tell you there are dozens of tunes in this collection that I have never even seen copies of before. Included are 8 of Bobby Rydell's biggest and best including "Forget Him" "Wild One" and "The Cha-Cha-Cha". There are 5 solo tracks from the great Chubby Checker including of course "The Twist" and "Limbo Rock" among others. Other huge hits available again for the first time in years is Charlie Gracie's 1957 smash "Butterfly", ? and the Mysterians "96 Tears" and John Zacherle's great novelty tune "Dinner With Drac". But what makes this collection so very special are the dozens and dozens of hard-to-find singles by lesser known artists. Many of these tunes were regional hits so no matter where you are from you are likely to be familiar with at least some of these songs. Needless to say, the Cameo-Parkway catalogue contains a wide variety of musical styles. There is something there for just about any musical taste. Pop music enthusiasts are sure to enjoy Billy Scott's 1958 offering "You're The Greatest". If 1960's dance tunes are your thing then there are a treasure trove of tunes in this collection including the Chubby Checker hits, the Dovell's "Bristol Stomp" and "You Can't Sit Down", Candy and the Kisses doin' "The 81" and Dee Dee Sharp's "Mashed Potato Time". Enjoy too the soulful sound of Eddie Holman belting out "This Can't Be True" or Bunny Sigler doing his great medley "Let The Good Times Roll & Feel So Good". Doo-wop fans will fondly recall the Playboys "Over The Weekend", "When We Get Married" from the Dreamlovers and the all-time favorite "Silhouettes" by the Rays. In addition, there are some fabulous instrumentals to enjoy and a few excellent novelty tunes to boot. If you are like me, you will be sampling a good many of these songs for the very first time. There are many hidden gems to be discovered including tunes by Evie Sands, Frankie Beverly and the Butlers, Christine Cooper, Bobby Marchan and many, many others. If all of this great music is not enough Abkco has put together a colorful and informative 44 page booklet that is second to none. The booklet features a complete history of the company as well as information about each of the 115 tunes included in this incredible collection. And I would have to agree with many of the other reviewers that the remastering job is simply stunning! Needless to say, collectors and casual fans alike will appreciate this 4 disc set. "Cameo Parkway 1957-1967" is highly entertaining, lots and lots of fun and worth every penny. Wholeheartedly recommended!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2005 by Paul Tognetti
First thing, thanks to Abkco and everyone involved for getting off their lazy butts and finally releasing this box set - 'bout time, doncha think? If you've ever searched the net over the years looking for any scraps of information about why the Cameo/Parkway catalog has never seen the CD light, you'd discover a truckload of reasons, excuses, promises, and rumours ranging from owners Alan & Jody Klein's greed/reluctance/laziness (Abkco's Phil Spector box wasnt a big seller though it recieved a lot of press), a never-paid tape storage bill, missing/destroyed master tapes, unpaid royalities to artists (I hope they get paid this time!) plus other legal tangles that kept this great music from being re-released on CD for over 20 years. The Cameo-Parkway box is finally here and oldies fans should rejoice (and throw a limbo party!) Like other reviewers I'm a little disappointed with the packaging - I was expecting a LP sized box with jewel cases simular to Abkco's Spector and Rolling Stones box sets, not a small CD case with paper sleeves. This legendary material deserved a better packaging job. The all-black CD's are good looking, though I think reproductions of the original C/P labels (simular to Rhino's Nuggets boxes) would have been cooler than the basic design they used. The liner notes are well written, giving a general informative overview of the label's history and producers with a extensive track list for each CD. But there is precious little information here about the famous and obscure artists who created this music. Hopefully that will be made up on the individual artist CD's coming out later this year, maybe. But this music is something else! (BTW: None are cheap K-Tel remakes!) The remastering quality of all this material suprasses any unauthorized "import" CD's or even the original 45's which many were poorly mastered and pressed on cheap vinyl or styrene (hard brittle plastic that wore out quick under a heavy tonearm). To hear the Ray's doo-wop classic "Silhouettes" from the original master tapes after all these years of noisy vinyl is simply breathtaking! Many other cuts benefit as well, especally the cheaply recorded "dance craze" material. Everything's in it's pure un-remixed monophonic glory, except for one track: Patti Labelle And Her Blue Belles "You'll Never Walk Alone" which is in true stereo. All the big Top 40 C/P hits are here with many rarities - I think the tracks licenced from UK Pye could have been removed for other worthy American tracks. The early Kinks, Ivy League and Sounds Orchestral tracks have all been re-released overseas by Castle UK and other labels, so it seems a little redundant to have them here, unless you havent heard them before and don't have them in your collection. The track listing on CD's 3 and 4 get a little haphazard for anyone who wants to hear these songs chronologicly, it's strange to hear tracks from 1967 right after 1964 (even if its "Bobby the Poet"). C/P had quite an eclectic catalog of artists. Besides having future compilations on Chubby, Dee Dee, Bobby (and I hope) ? And The Mysterians, The Orlons and Len Barry's Dovells, I hope Abkco will release compilations based on a theme (dance crazes, garage bands, rare R&B and UK northern soul). Abkco should also "open the vaults" to other reissue labels like Rhino, Sundazed, Eric, Collectables, Ace and Castle so they can licence the C/P catalog. C/P released many fine rarities that realy need to be reissued. If Abkco doesnt want to do this, please allow other labels do the research and digitizing work so future generations of music fans and pop culture historians can benefit! Despite some flaws (Where's the Bronzettes "Hot Spot"?), this box set is fantastic. Right now this is the ONLY place youre going to find this material in it's original form, from the best available master tapes. It's a must-buy for any 50's-60's oldies fan to complete his/her collection, especally if you love to dance.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2005 by BillyG in Texas
Wow. Who said that rock 'n' roll was dormant dull and ordinary between the time Buddy Holly crashed and the Beatles landed? Strap your ears onto this collection and find out that rock 'n' roll was very much alive and thriving, courtesy of those crazy cats running the Philadelphia-based Cameo Parkway record label. Oh sure, Cameo Parkway released albums, but for them, the single was the bull market. The kids were flush with cash and they knew how to separate them from it. Gloriously unfocused, they tried to sell America every sort of dance trend possible. Let's all do the Wah-Watusi. The Popeye Waddle. The New Continental. The Bristol Stomp. Mashed Potatoes? How about some gravy on it? No problem, Dee Dee Sharp! There's Bobby Rydell! Not only did he possess one heck of a head of hair, he rocked in his own sort of smooth teeny-bopper way. Ya gotta love him. Chubby Checker! Finally The Twist is available for real on a CD! Digital respectability at last! I will overlook (for the moment) that you ripped off my man Hank Ballard. Three tracks from ? and the Mysterians, the fellows who set the blueprint for the garage movement (and unfortunately, also Smashmouth). The Dovells! You Can't Sit Down! You're right! I can't! The beautiful pop, rock (even some jazz) sounds go on and on and on. So much familiar and so much obscure and all of it great fun. Witness the last gasp of rock 'n' roll innocence before those four Liverpudlians touched down and made everything suddenly respectable. I don't care what your age is, you need to listen to this astonishing collection. Too bad we can't run this through an old transistor radio. Then I'd surely be in Heaven.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2005 by Ed Kaz
The Cameo-Parkway cd set is something we all have been waiting for. And those who are interested in this set will not be disappointed. One of the first unique things you'll notice is that the information side of each cd is BLACK. The quality of the content is beefed up a little on the EQ but that's fine too. What bothered me personally was the one song I was looking forward to the most, "Let the good times roll/Feel so good" by Bunny Sigler is a different take than the one I have on record. I understand that the version on the cd is MONO but so is the single record but they're not the same take. It still rocks but it's a little different. Overall you will not be wasting your money on this long-awaited set.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2005 by J. Byer
Excellent Cameo-Parkway collection!! If you like the music of the late 1950s to the late sixties like Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Dee Dee Sharp, The Dovells, ? and The Mysterians, and many, many others, you will love this set! It even has Clint Eastwood singing "Rowdy", based on his character of the same name on the TV series Rawhide!! 4 disc set, over 100 songs, and mine came with a booklet about the Cameo-Parkway story. Arrived on time as promised!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2022 by Shaun P.
This is a great collection...a journey through the rock & roll era from the '50's right up to the exciting pop music era in the '60's in Philadelphia!
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2024 by James Perry