Platters - The Singles+ (2003)

CD 1
01. Only You (And You Alone) 
02. The Great Pretender 
03. I'm Just A Dancing Partner 
04. (You've Got) The Magic Touch 
05. My Prayer 
06. Heaven On Earth 
07. You'll Never Never Know 
08. It Isn't Right 
09. On My Word Of Honour 
10. One In A Million 
11. I'm Sorry 
12. He's Mine 
13. My Dream 
14. Only Because 
15. Helpless 
16. Twilight Time
17. You're Making A Mistake 
18. I Wish 
19. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes 
20. Enchanted 
21. Remember When 
22. Where 
23. Wish It Were Me 
24. Harbor Lights 
25. Sleepy Lagoon

CD 2
01. Ebb Tide
02. Red Sails In The Sunset 
03. To Each His Own 
04. If I Didn't Care
05. Trees 
06. I'll Never Smile Again 
07. It's Magic 
08. Once In A While 
09. Strangers 
10. Viva Ju Juy 
11. Java Jive 
12. Sincerely 
13. Love Me Tender 
14. I Love You 1000 Times 
15. I'll Be Home 
16. With This Ring
17. Washed Ashore 
18. On Top Of My Mind 
19. Sweet Sweet Lovin' 
20. Love Must Go On 
21. So Many Tears 
22. Hard To Get A Thing Called Love 
23. Fear Of Losing You

This is a fine two-disc anthology of the Platters which manages to combine both the classic early hits ("Only You," "The Great Pretender," "Twilight Time," "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes") when the group was led by Tony Williams' sweet tenor, and the later uptown soul hits ("I Love You 1000 Times," "With This Ring," "Washed Ashore") that featured the spirited vocals of Sonny Turner. The result is a nearly seamless overview of this important group's history. ---Steve Leggett, AllMusic Review

The Platters were one of the top vocal groups of the Fifties, delivering smooth, stylized renditions of pop standards. Like the Ink Spots a decade earlier, they were the most popular black group of their time, achieving success in a crooning, middle-of-the-road style that put a soulful coat of uptown polish on pop-oriented, harmony-rich material. Their lengthy string of hits began in 1955 with “Only You” and continued till the end of the decade, including four singles that reached #1: “The Great Pretender,” “My Prayer,” “Twilight Time” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” The secret of the Platters’ success had to do with their choice of material: adult ballads and standards that predated the rock and roll era, which were delivered with crisp, impeccable harmonies framed by string-laden arrangements. Much of the credit is due to Buck Ram, the group’s producer, manager and guiding light, who had worked with acts like the Ink Spots in the Forties.

The group got its start in Los Angeles in 1952 and made its first recordings a year later for the Federal label before moving to Mercury, where they remained until the mid-Sixties. An initially shifting lineup stabilized around five members: Tony Williams, David Lynch, Herb Reed, Paul Robi and Zola Taylor. During the latter half of the Fifties, the Platters were a global sensation, touring the world as “international ambassadors of musical goodwill” (per their record label) and appearing in a number of rock and roll-themed movies, including Rock Around the Clock and The Girl Can’t Help It. Though the Platters thereafter experienced several personnel changes, beginning with the 1960 departure of lead vocalist Williams for a solo career, they continued to enjoy sporadic chart success in the Sixties with such songs as “With This Ring.” Even after their high profile waned on the national scene, the Platters remained popular along the Southeast coast, where they rank among the foremost exemplars of the “beach music” sound. Elsewhere, they’re fondly remembered as a throwback to a golden era when pop, rhythm & blues and rock and roll flowed together in perfect harmony. --- rockhall.com

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