The Roomates "SURFIN" (Acappella)

[Dutchie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORWNqoea9io&feature=g-like

never heard of these guys. they sound great. The BB should have included this in their shows. This song made it happen.

another great doo wop song from these guys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3tXOHpBKEA&feature=my_liked_videos&list=LLb1-JwKTf3C8tFcbH8-mqEQ

[EgoHanger1966]

I'm (online) friends with one of the members - nice fellow. Great UK Doo-Wop outfit. They have a bunch of cd's but these ones are my favorites:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Classic-Sound-Roomates/dp/B0006332VU

http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Belmont-Avenue-The-Roomates/dp/B001EI5OE4/ref=pd_sim_m_4

Do check them out - one of the only groups still 'out there' with a true representation of the white doo wop sound from the 60s.

[Dutchie]

they sound very good. just saw that they released a new cd called Dawning, with a bb song on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz0eij8MD-w&feature=related
http://www.ebay.com/itm/THE-ROOMATES-U-K-DAWNING-NEW-CD-/330781062067?pt=UK_CDsDVDs_CDs_CDs_GL&hash=item4d041673b3

in my room: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqGdZoOIEek&feature=relmfu

[Jaco]

These Roomates are great!
It's singing in the style of Dion Dimucci & The Belmonts (who lived in the Bronx in New York?)
Is there, besides the old 'black' doowop, influence of italian belcanto?
I don't know how to describe it, but 'the timbre of the voices is trained, and very full and focussed'.
As being a singer myself, I believe this way of singing is even better then the Beach Boys style.

Belmonts example: Drip Drop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR3a2q5zmcE

These are also 2 of my fave records from the early 70s:

[hypehat]

I fucking LOVE Cigars, Acapella, Candy. A great makeout album

[EgoHanger1966]

.

Belmonts example: Drip Drop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR3a2q5zmcE

Common misconception - that is Dion solo, with a group called The Del Satins backing him up. Dion and The Belmonts split up in 1960, both having their own solo careers. Chartwise, Dion did much better.

To your other question, there is a whole subgenre of doo wop made by white Italians, primarily from New York. You might also want to check out groups like The Passions, Mystics, Fascinators, Capris, Earls. There are a thousand other, more obscure groups/artists who made one-offs or only a couple records and then gave up.

[Jaco]

Yeah also thanks from me to all
By the way, the 70s albums I mentioned are mostly just new live versions or acapella versions of the old songs. I believe Phil Spector produced one album for Dion in the 70s, with modern production, heavy bass, heavy bassdrum etc. but not interesting if you want that old doowop sound.