Goodnight Baby (1994)

by Imaginations

The Imaginations were a New York vocal group that never scored a national hit, but had a few singles that saw regional chart action around the East Coast: "Goodnight Baby," "Hey You," and "Guardian Angel." "Goodnight Baby" and "Hey You" were recorded at a 1961 session with Mickey Baker and King Curtis, and are strong white doo wop cuts with solid harmonies and Frank Mancuso's appealing falsetto. All three of those recordings can be found on Goodnight Baby, a 16-track anthology that follows the group through changing lineups ... Read More

The Imaginations were a New York vocal group that never scored a national hit, but had a few singles that saw regional chart action around the East Coast: "Goodnight Baby," "Hey You," and "Guardian Angel." "Goodnight Baby" and "Hey You" were recorded at a 1961 session with Mickey Baker and King Curtis, and are strong white doo wop cuts with solid harmonies and Frank Mancuso's appealing falsetto. All three of those recordings can be found on Goodnight Baby, a 16-track anthology that follows the group through changing lineups and styles. Exemplary of the latter is "Wait a Little Longer Son," an excellent 1962 performance with new lead singer Bobby Bloom in a style intended to sound more "black." The Imaginations went through four lead singers in the course of these sessions, and backed Darlene Day on a pair of teen pop songs (also included), so there is quite a variety of vocalists. Also of note is the Imaginations' unusual rewrite of "Hully Gully" titled "Harry Goody." The alternate take of "Goodnight Baby" is actually superior to the master, with a long, sumptuous lead-in that must have been deemed unsuitable for single release. An a cappella demo recording of "Autumn Leaves" rounds out what are likely the Imaginations' complete recordings from 1961-62. Goodnight Baby is aimed at serious collectors and is well worth their while. ~ Greg Adams, Rovi Read Less