Foot Stompin' The Flares

£11.70

Genre:
Doo Wop
Label:
Ace Records
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDCHD 841

This product is also available in these versions:
Foot Stompin' (MP3), MP3 (£7.99)

The act of marching through sandboxes full of pebbles, to give a pop recording some snappy aural appeal, has been pursued on more than one occasion. Guitarist Les Paul toyed with the gimmick on Walkin' And Whistlin' Blues, Young Jessie sashayed elegantly across Shuffle In The Gravel, whilst the Solitaires left a memorable impression with their high-steppin' Walkin' Along. In

1961 the medium was unexpectedly brought back into the public consciousness by Foot Stomping Pt 1, a chunky R&B workout courtesy of the Flares led by Aaron Collins. It was typical fun fodder of the time - basic, unpretentious and capable of standing lots of plays on radio and on jukeboxes. In its wake came the Encore Of Foot Stompin' Hits album, renowned for its cover shot featuring the group decked out in matching custard lake tuxedos - here with an 'alternate take' from the famous photo shoot. Surprisingly the twelve-track LP set found a British release on London-American in February 1963. It is the choicest of those sides that now surface here, along with the best singles for Felsted and Press (and three previously unissued tracks). Together, they make up the very first collection by the Flares in digital form.

Sitting amongst the ripest of cherries are some less obvious but highly impressive sides such as the impassioned What Do You Want If You Don't Want Love, the doo wop of Loving You and the slightly quirky, Rock & Roll Heaven Pts 1 & 2. The vocal group's recondite history, encompassing the Flairs, the Coasters and the Cadets, is assiduously explained in Bill Millar's accompanying text. In addition, lovers of all-things West Coast will appreciate the groove cooked up by sidemen Plas Johnson, Ray Johnson and Earl Palmer.

The title track no doubt struck a chord with film producer John Waters, as he used the song on the soundtrack to his classic movie, ?îHairspray'. In fact the Flares' indentation must have left its mark even earlier, because judging by the hob-nailed boots featured on their breakthrough hits, the Dave Clark Five and the Honeycombs probably bought copies as well.

Ace Records' highly enjoyable CD confirms there was a great deal more to the Flares than Foot Stomping, even if their solitary hit must have frustrated manager and producer Buck Ram in terms of emulating the success of stable-mates, the Platters. Nevertheless this unique set by the Flares nicely complements the rest of the Buck Ram series: Crash The Rockabilly Party by Benny Joy (CDCHD 703), Buck Ram's Doo Wop (CDCHD 735) and Rock All Night (CDCHD 763).

By Stuart Colman

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Track listing

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Side 1

Delivery & Returns

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We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

Press quotes

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Twenty-six tracks of splendid fun that haven't dated one bit.

Record Collector

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