Morris
Museum Doo Wop & Acappella Concert #2
Morristown, NJ, July 29, 2011
(Videos added - Please scroll down)
Poster by Warren Tesoro
This was the final group harmony and doo wop concert of the Morris Museum’s
“Jersey Rocks” program. The producer, architect, and MC of the concerts was
Paul Ressler. Paul called us about six months ago to ask if we could help
with the “Jersey Rocks” exhibit and events. We, of course, agreed to help
with displays, presentations, advertising and the concerts. We worked hard
but it was a great experience and we’re glad we did it.
We've added
some videos to this review, thanks to Marian Cicerale. Scroll down to
see them. All videos were posted after first receiving permission from
the individual groups.
Prior to the concert, Joe
Zisa, Paul Ressler, Sal Sellitto
Pam Horner, Joe Zisa,
Paul Ressler, Sal Sellitto
Vibranaires' Bobby Thomas
& Paul Ressler
This concert was a blast from the past! The first group up was Joey Zisa
& Friends’ Jersey Tribute who sang songs from New Jersey artists. The
sextet opened up the show with The Velvets “Tonight Could Be The Night”.
The Jersey Tribute group is an all star group with members, Joey Zisa (Joey
and the Lexingtons), Bernie La Porta and Lenny Conforti (former members of
the Happenings), Tommy Bialoglow (original co-founder of the Duprees), Sal
Sellitto and Dennis Oricchio. The group performed to a track but Bernie La
Porta played guitar.
Joe Zisa & Friends'
Jersey Tribute
Joe Zisa & Friends
opening with "Tonight Could Be The Night"
Video courtesy of Marian Cicerale
Joe Zisa & Friends'
Jersey Tribute
Especially wonderful were the songs that Tommy Bialoglow sang with the
Duprees, “You Belong To Me” (1962), “My Own True Love”.
Duprees' co-founder Tommy
Bialoglow singing with
Joe Zisa & Friends' Jersey Tribute
Joe Zisa & Friends sing
the Duprees' "My Own True Love"
Tom Bialoglow (second from the right) was co-founder of the Duprees.
(Video courtesy of Marian Cicerale)
Joe Zisa, formerly of
Joey & the Lexingtons
The group also sang a Four Seasons set. The Platters were represented with
“Great Pretender,” since Platters’ lead Tony Williams was born in Elizabeth,
NJ. They closed with the Happening’s “See You In September”. “Go Away
Little Girl” and “I Got Rhythm”. It was fabulous to see this star studded
group.
Joe Zisa & Friends sing
the Happenings' "See You In September"
Two members of the group were former members of the Happenings.
(Video courtesy of Marian Cicerale)
Joe Zisa & Friends'
Jersey Tribute; (left to right)
Dennis Oricchio,
Lenny
Conforti,
Joey Zisa, Tommy Bialoglow, Bernie La Porta and Sal Sellitto
Quiet Storm usually wows the audience and on this night they never
sounded better. The group seems to be adjusting to the new members very
well. The audience was fortunate to hear the spectacular Quiet Storm. Smitty,
the bass, has been with the group from its inception. Other members of the
group are James Phillips (lead, backup), Darrall Campbell (lead and backup,
William Nicks (lead & backup) and Ron Silva (lead & backup).
Quiet Storm
Quiet Storm singing
"You're Mine"
Most of us know this song by the early 1950's version by Dean Barlow & the
Crickets.
Quiet Storm does an outstanding version of the later arrangement by the
Vibrations.
(Video courtesy of Marian Cicerale)
Quiet Storm
Quiet Storm began their dynamic performance with The Camelots’ “Don’t Leave
Me Baby” and The Vibrations version of “You’re Mine”. The Jive Five’s “I’m
A Happy Man” and The Spinners “Love, I’m So Glad I Found You’ followed. For
the record collectors in the audience, Quiet Storm sang the Aladdins’
“Remember”. They even sang a song from the Broadway play “South Pacific,”
“Some Enchanted Evening”. They closed their segment of the show with Jersey
City’s Manhattans’ “Can I”. The group displayed a great deal of talent
singing songs from different genres, all in a doo wop style. Quiet Storm
would come back on stage later in the show.
Quiet Storm
Quiet Storm singing the
Drifters arrangement of "Your Promise To Be Mine"
(Video courtesy of Marian Cicerale)
Quiet Storm
Darrall Campbell leading
Quiet Storm
Quiet Storm singing "Can
I," a song originally done by the Manhattans.
(Video courtesy of Marian Cicerale)
Darrall jumps off stage
Quiet Storm (left to
right): Darrall Campbell,
Ron Silva,
James Phillips, William Nicks and Smitty.
Intermission:
Charlie Horner & Ronnie Stewart
(formerly of Shades of Brown & the Ad Libs)
Paul Ressler & Charlie
Horner starting the second half
After intermission, The Del Larks took the stage in striking orange suits.
The group contained original lead Sammy Campbell and tenor Ron Taylor.
Joining them were newer Del Larks, Billy Spruill, Billy Johnson and Benny
Green (bass). Not known for acappella, at first the group was tentative but
soon relaxed to sing the Spaniels “Stormy Weather,” the Heartbeats’ “A
Thousand Miles Away” and Shep & The Limelites’ “Daddy’s Home.” Their
harmony really tightened up as they sang. We liked the songs that The Del
Larks wrote and performed from the late 1950’s the best. They harmonized
perfectly to “Come On”, “Remember The Night”, and “I Never Will Forget”.
The Del Larks closed their part of the concert with The Marcel’s “Blue
Moon”. The Del Larks have only recently started to practice again. We
would love to hear then sing “Job Opening” which is their big Northern Soul
song. If you can find the record, it’s going for about $10,000.
The Del Larks
Plainfield's Del Larks
sing the Spaniels' "Stormy Weather" acappella
(Video courtesy of Marian Cicerale)
The Del Larks
Del Larks singing an
acappella version of their Ea-Jay label recording, "Come On".
(Video courtesy of Marian Cicerale)
Sammy Campbell leading
the Del Larks
Del Larks sing their 1958
hit, "Remember The Night" acappella.
(Video courtesy of Marian Cicerale)
Billy Spruill (right)
leading the Del Larks
Sammy & the Del Larks
Ea-Jay label recording of "I Never Will Forget,"
this time done live acappella.
(Video courtesy of Marian Cicerale)
The Del Larks backstage
The Del Larks (left to
right): Sam Campbell, Billy Johnson,
Ron Taylor, Billy Spruill and Benny Green
The closing act of the show was Bobby Thomas backed by Quiet Storm. The
ageless Bobby Thomas throughout his career sang with The Vibranaires ,
V-Eights, and The Orioles. His voice is stronger than ever and his stage
presence reminds one of Sonny Til, the late lead of the Orioles. Bobby gave
us “Good Looking Baby” (unreleased Orioles) and “Dem Days” (Orioles). He
also sang a beautiful rendition of The Vibranaires’ 1954 release, “Doll
Face”. Bobby then sang The Orioles biggest selling single, “Crying In The
Chapel”. He closed the show with the Deborah Chessler penned “It’s Too Soon
To Know”, the song that started it all.
Bobby Thomas (left)
backed by Quiet Storm
Bobby Thomas (backed by
Quiet Storm) singing the Orioles' tune, "Dem Days"
(Video courtesy of Marian Cicerale)
Bobby Thomas
Vibranaires' lead Bobby
Thomas sings "Doll Face" with help from Quiet Storm
(Video courtesy of Marian Cicerale)
Bobby Thomas & Quiet
Storm sing "Crying in the Chapel"
(Bobby was a former member of the Orioles)
(Video courtesy of Marian Cicerale)
Bobby Thomas & his
Vibranaires (Quiet Storm)
Bobby Thomas & Quiet
Storm close out the concert with
"It's Too Soon To Know," the Deborah Chessler composition
that started it all, back in 1948!
(Video courtesy of Marian Cicerale)
The Del Larks after the
concert.
Pam, Bobby Thomas &
Charlie
Pam & David Brigati of
the Hi-Fives and Joey Dee & the Starliters
Thanks to all the wonderful performers who entertained us and to the
audience who came out to see legends. A big thank you goes to Paul Ressler
for his selfless work on Jersey Rocks. We are grateful to the Morris Museum
for The Jersey Rocks exhibit and programs and especially for their inclusion
of vocal group harmony.
To see our review of the
first Morris Museum Acappella & Doo Wop Concert, click
Morris
Museum #1.
(All videos courtesy of
Marian Cicerale)
Copyright © Classic Urban Harmony LLC, 2011. All
Rights Reserved.
