An instantly recognizable bargain bin staple since the late '70s, thanks to their colorful comic book covers tracing the romantic life of an Everycouple named
Peg
and
Eddie
, the
Cruisin'
series of discs are built on a brilliant concept: each disc is devoted to a single year, with hit songs, local commercials, station jingles, and news headlines all presided over by a noted DJ from the era for a near-perfect re-creation of that year's AM radio experience.
Cruisin' 1956
is hosted by
Robin Seymour
of
WKMH
in Dearborn, MI, whose cheerful, hail-fellow-well-met announcing style is representative of his era. (His custom show-opening theme, performed by Toronto vocal quartet
the Four Lads
, is a nice touch.) Although there are a few rockers, most notably classics by
Chuck Berry
,
Little Richard
, and
Carl Perkins
(not to mention
Roy Orbison
's
Norman Petty
-produced debut,
"Ooby Dooby"
), most of
focuses on classic
R&B
doo wop
ballads
.
The Teen Queens
'
"Eddie My Love,"
the Mello Kings
"Tonite Tonite,"
the Dells
"Oh What a Night,"
and career-defining hits by
the Platters
the Five Satins
all make their appearances, with
the Cadets
' magnificent
"Stranded in the Jungle"
providing the comic relief. The extras include commercials for the Detroit Times, Merchants Green Stamps and Faygo root beer, as well as another
Four Lads
appearance, singing a Ford commercial to the tune of their hit
"Standing on the Corner,"
several
station jingles, and sports headlines. ~ Stewart Mason