In Harmony: West Coast Doo Wop

With doo wop enjoying a bit of a revival at the time of this album's release, perhaps the Calvanes will gain some popularity. It's about time: Though little-known, they've been together on and off since the mid-'50s. Their long association shows in the polish of their vocal harmonies on this excellent collection, which mixes originals with such oldies as Little Anthony's "Traveling Stranger" (performed a cappella on this CD), the Penguins' "Memories of El Monte," and the Shields' "You Cheated." Happily, the Calvanes make no attempt whatsoever to update the doo wop sound -- everything here sounds as if it would have fit right in on Rhino Records' Doo Wop Boxes, which collect recordings from the '50s.