Back to the Hop: The Swan Recordings 1960-1962

Subtitled The Swan Recordings 1960-1962, these sides come from the second part of Danny & the Juniors' recording career, before the oldies circuit beckoned. This 27-track collection gathers together virtually everything the group left behind in the vaults, counting up alternate takes, issued singles, and the like. Obviously, hitmaking themes are mined continuously here ("Back to the Hop," "Twistin' USA," "Twistin' England," "Twistin' Germany," "Twistin' Italy," and three other tracks with "Twist" in the title) and over half the material has ties to various dance crazes like "The Pony Express" and "Doin' the New Continental Walk." Of special interest is their duet with Freddy Cannon on "Twistin' All Night Long" and their version of his "Tallahassee Lassie." Not the most essential doo wop collection, but an interesting one nonetheless, illustrating a '50s group trying to keep pace with a changing marketplace and making some decent music in the bargain.