Doo Wop Christmas
Doo-wop is rock & roll's most romantic music, touching the same heartstrings that some people believe the holidays touch. So you'd think it would be a perfect vehicle for Christmas songs. Alas, this Rhino compilation--although, aside from the Drifters' wonderful "White Christmas," overflowing with obscurities--is a hit-and-miss affair. The misses include tracks offering groups who simply rework previous hit singles. Still, when it works, as it does on tracks by the Harmony Grits, the Skyliners, and the Uniques, it's great. In fact, if the latter's "Merry Christmas, Darling, and a Happy New Year, Too" doesn't make you want to snuggle with your honey in front of a fireplace, you're nothing but a humbug. A big omission, however, is the Belmonts' "Wintertime."--Bill Holdship