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Best of: Little Anthony & Imperials

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 155 ratings
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The Imperials Amazon Music Unlimited
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Track Listings

1 Tears on My Pillow
2 Two People in the World
3 So Much
4 The Diary
5 It's Not for Me
6 Wishful Thinking
7 A Prayer and Juke Box
8 I'm Alright
9 Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop
10 My Empty Room
11 I'm Taking a Vacation from Love
12 Please Say You Want Me
13 Traveling Stranger
14 I'm on the Outside (Looking in)
15 Goin' Out of My Head
16 Hurt So Bad
17 Take Me Back
18 I Miss You So

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Little Anthony & the Imperials always switched up their doo wop sound from teenage love ballads to upbeat dance tracks. Here's a solid collection of their greatest work including "Tears on My Pillow" and "Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop." [Note: This product is an authorized CD-R and is manufactured on demand]

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According to Bob Dylan, "rock & roll ended with Little Anthony and the Imperials," an odd comment considering that the group continued performing long after he made his observation. Dylan got one thing right: the Imperials' vocal mastery expressed something essential to the soul of rock & roll. Along with the Monotones, the Dells, and the Moonglows, Anthony Gourdine's quintet (later a quartet) was an exemplar of the golden age of doo-wop at its most heart-wrenching. Their signature tunes--"Tears on My Pillow," "Going Out of My Head," "Two People in the World," "Wishful Thinking," and "Hurt So Bad"--are nothing less than majestic. This ample and thoughtfully composed Rhino compilation belongs in every home. --Roy Kasten

Product details

  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.6 x 0.4 x 4.9 inches; 3.52 ounces
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Rhino
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ 70919
  • Original Release Date ‏ : ‎ 1989
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ November 1, 2006
  • Label ‏ : ‎ Rhino
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0000032R1
  • Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 155 ratings

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
155 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

R. James
5.0 out of 5 stars As it turns out, it is possible to reinvent the wheel!
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2023
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By now we all know the story and how things turned out (RIP Armond and all of the rest). This reimagined, reinvented, Imperials lineup was clearly destined for greatness and this recording is the proof. At that time I was so glad that Armond had passed the group onto his son and the rest of the guys. This release just simply picks up where "I Was Made For This" and Armond's "Imperials" left off - same gospel story, new delivery! The reimagined, again, "Big God" blows me away every time! I love it. For the first time in Imperials history there is a romantic ballad here (True)! I'm writing like I just bought this release, no, I've had it nearly since its original release, I'm only just now doing a review. The song lyrics, the melodies the musicianship the vocals, all Imperials first-class work done here. If only we'd had more AFTER "Back To The Roots." Thank-you, so much, for at least carrying the torch a few more years and a couple more albums. I am grateful.
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Soul Groove
5.0 out of 5 stars The Emperor of Soul
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2009
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The album We Are The Imperials predates my birth by 23-24 years (1958 or 1959-1982), but I do recognize where good music comes from: Litlte andthony and the Imperials represent good music. We Are... is an album filled with different styles witin the doo-wop/early rock realm. I am sure some of the songs are covers, like "Somewhere over The Rainbow" and a few others, but regardless, each song is handled with craft and the utmost class. Little Anthony Anthony Gourdine) has a great tenor/falsetto, and the Imperials provide perfect harmony. The most racognizable song here is the perennial classic "Tears On My Pillow," which is a staple in RnB and soul, a classic slow drag. Another doo-wop winner is "Two People in the World," which rings with innocence and true love as opposed to the relentlessly blatant sexual prowess of many RnB acts of today, and is a refreshing change. "Wishful Thinking" also has that sweet innocence but with heartbreak lyrics about a relationship gone bad. "What Did I Do" also has a similar vibe and tone. I love the guitar licks on this one. We also have the faster paced rock jams like "Cha Cha Henry" and "Oh Yeah" which are cool. Little Anthony's lead on the latter is some pure poetry and is a fun jam to vibe to and will make your head not incessantly. We Are The Imperials is a fun album to listen to, and represents a period of time when Doo Wop, Rock and Roll and early Soul and RnB were branching out, an exiting time of music I was not around to experience.
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Lou
5.0 out of 5 stars A MILLION YEARS AGO
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2021
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WELL MAYBE 50, WHEN THE ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY HILLCREST NY CAMPUS WAS IN ITS' INFANCY, THERE WERE "JUST 2 KINDS OF PEOPLE IN THE WORLD"; THE BLACK BASKETBALL PLAYERS AND THE DECIDEDLY UNCOLLEGIATE ,LOCAL, WHITE STREET CORNER TYPES. WE MET IN THE DOUBLE STARWAY LEADING DOWN TO THE RIFLE RANGE. NO NOT FOR RIFLES; FOR THE ECHO. WE MET ON THE STAIRS TO SING ACAPPELLA .
THE LANDING WAS FOR SINGERS, THE FIRST STAIRWAY FOR LISTENERS, THE SECOND FOR THOSE WAITING THEIR TURN TO HARMONIZE. WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN "ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN", BUT WE DEFINETLY
DID THE "SHIMMY SHIMMY KO KO BOP".
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johnf
4.0 out of 5 stars A great career-spanning collection.
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2019
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Little Anthony and the Imperials had virtually two careers separated by a three year gap when they seemed to have disappeared (in fact they even broke up for a while between 1961 and ‘64). Then in the summer of ‘64, on a new label, they made a big comeback that included “Goin’ Out of My Head”, one of the great classics of the mid-60s. Some people know them only from this period. One of the shorter EMI collections contains only songs from this part of their career (purple cover) and the other (orange cover) includes a couple hits from the early days like “Tears On My Pillow” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ko-Ko-Bop”. Fans who only know them from the mid-60’s may prefer one of those collections.

This collection, by Rhino contains a fair sampling from both eras in eighteen tracks and gives you a view of their entire career. Their first incarnation was as a doo-wop group from New York City, typical of many streetcorner serenaders of the day. Like many artists they went through a succession of small labels with their final home being End Records. There they scored two hits out of a dozen or so singles from 1958-61. “Tears on My Pillow” was their debut release on End and was a big national hit reaching #4 and selling a million copies. Its B-side, “Two People in the World” also received a lot of airplay.. In early ‘59 they finally scored again with the semi-novelty song, “Shimmy Shimmy Ko-Ko-Bop” which had a danceable cha cha beat, something rare for the group.

They typically did slow doo-wop ballads with Anthony’s high tenor in the lead, the others usually providing wordless rhythm and harmony and the occasional introduction or chorus. The style evolved out of groups that sang without instruments at all and so the accompaniment is kept to a minimum: a trio of piano, drums and bass with a bit of organ here and there.

Most of their End singles are here, plus a few non-charting but interesting tracks. “A Prayer and a Jukebox” opens with a solo organ ; “I’m Alright” (written by Sam Cooke) is a rare fast number and is Gospel influenced; “My Empty Room” takes its melody from Tchaikovsky’s Symphony #6 and makes it into a plaintive love ballad. “I’m Taking a Vacation from Love” and “Travelling Stranger” are both upbeat, fast songs hinting that the label wanted to try something new with the group. These are all good songs of their type, if not always highly memorable, and any of them could have been hits. But there were many competing groups and labels in those days and a small label like End Records didn’t really have the budget for national promotion.

Then after a gap of almost three years they connected with their old friend from the Alan Freed days, Teddy Randazzo. He was now A&R man for the DCP label (Don Costa Productions). Don Costa was a major producer, arranger and conductor with many connections in the business and his label was being distributed by United Artists. This began a new era for them. The first single, “I’m On the Outside (Looking In)” was still in a 50s style but with good production and promotion it made number 15 nationally in the summer of ‘64.

Then they hit gold with their next two songs, “Goin’ Out of My Head” and “Hurt So Bad” - and in the middle of the British Invasion and the explosion of Motown at that. These songs were given big productions and skilled arrangements with orchestra and chorus, which added texture to the performances. Admittedly it’s mostly Anthony himself, but it worked beautifully. These songs had a contemporary feel that added to their appeal, which crossed every demographic. “Goin’ Out of My Head” has been recorded by hundreds of artists but I don’t think anyone ever topped the original. Anthony could inject a lot of emotion into his voice and these songs about being a loser in love fit perfectly. “Take Me Back” was only a minor hit and “I Miss You So” barely made the Top 40. After that a series of singles simply didn’t make it. By late 1965 R&B was dominated by the bigger, punchier, more danceable music of Motown and, beginning with Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett, Memphis.

If you hear the later singles most of them fall back into a fifties kind of style, even those by Randazzo. They just weren’t able to follow up the two big hits with something that sounded more contemporary. The collection ends with “I Miss You So” in late 1965. I do wish they had included “Help Me Find a Way”, a song from late 1970 that had finally caught up with the times and sounds almost like the kinds of productions Thom Bell was doing in Philadelphia with the Stylistics. By then, of course, radio stations would have felt Little Anthony & the Imperials were no longer a name. But hey, Jerry Butler made a comeback with an updated sound by Gamble and Huff with hits like “Only the Strong Survive”. It might have happened in the right circumstances.

This is about the best single disc collection out there for the group. Rhino’s sound is really good, especially on the doo-wop songs. I have a number of doo-wop collections and the songs on them rarely sound this good. I also have the EMI collections and find the remastering a bit clearer here on songs like “Goin’ Out of My Head”.
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Mary Ann Schmidt
5.0 out of 5 stars Great collection of songs by this group
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2021
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All of my favorite songs are on this CD. Went to Vegas in the 80's and saw the Imperials at a lounge show and they didn't have great things to say about Little Anthony. called him Little Agony. He was probably a "little" full of himself. But that didn't detract from my enjoyment. It just takes you back to the sixties.
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Pearls Girl
5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable music.
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2022
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I'm so glad the oldies are still available. It was good music then. And still good music today. This CD had all the music by the Imperials that I remember.
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Page Turner
5.0 out of 5 stars Oldies
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2022
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But goodies. Glad and love to listen.
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elfreda parker
5.0 out of 5 stars Great music
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2021
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I love this CD. It takes me back to my teen years. Its just great music. Great old school back in the day music.
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Top reviews from other countries

alex macinnis
5.0 out of 5 stars good quality
Reviewed in Canada on August 19, 2023
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great tunes
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great doo-wop.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2023
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Great backing harmonies with quirky lead vocals by little Anthony.
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Moonstarer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Little Treasure
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2015
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Of all the compilations - this was the best choice.
Some great tracks interspersed with some wonderful classics....... but then I always liked Little Anthony!
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Aitch Tee
4.0 out of 5 stars classic soul ballads and northern soul treats on one cd
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 22, 2015
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Little anthony's voice is an acquired taste, but he did record some absolute classics ballads, including "goin' out of my head", "hurts so bad" and "i'm on the outside looking in". Credit is due to writer /producer teddy randazzo. The cd also includes "better use your head" and "gonna fix you good", both popular northern soul cuts. Well worth getting.
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Ten -men
5.0 out of 5 stars Back to the FUTURE .
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 10, 2013
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All of the HITS on one C.D. , just the thing to listen to for an avid fan . Stuck in a TIMEWARP !
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