Lee Williams and the Cymbals - Golden Carnival Classics 2 FLAC album

Full performer name: Lee Williams & The Cymbals (And Friends).Personnel: Lee Williams & the Cymbals (vocals).Liner Note Author: Mark Marymont.Thanks to this CD, you no longer have to be satisfied with 30-year-old scratchy and worn 45s of Lee Williams & the Cymbals; they never recorded an album, and due to limited promotion, their recordings aren't well-known. People who remember the songs haven't a clue who sang them. Six of their Carnival recordings appear on this compilation, which includes other even more obscure sides by Carnival artists. Williams sang in a warm, excitable tenor that slid into heart-stopping falsetto squalls. "I Love You More" barely missed making the national rhythm & blues Top 40; it's one of the coolest R&B records ever made. For a few seconds, the opening melody stalks and tantalizes, then the backing croons, and Williams reiterates "Two lips to kiss you/Two arms to hold you/One heart that needs you/One mind that believes in you/'Cause I, I love you more than anyone ever loved anyone." "Peeping Through the Window" had potential, but didn't fare as well; it's the familiar tale of a guy coming home and finding someone else with his girlfriend. Ironically, their best vocal performance, the excellent "Til You Come Back to Me," a Joe Evans composition, is not available. A good supporting cast completes this worthy set. The Lovettes never got any run and it's unfortunate. Four of their girly efforts appear and all rate well, especially the lovely, matter-of-fact, syncopated "I Need a Guy." The self-doubting "I'm Afraid to Say I Love You" is innocent and arresting; the backing reminds you of the early no-hit Supremes. Sides by Barbara Brown, Norma Jenkins, the Symphonies, the Turner Brothers, and Kenny Ruffin are pure deep soul. Two versions of "Need Someone to Love" appear, Norma Jenkins' original and the Symphonics' remake. Phil Terrell's "Baby Doll" is a cult item among international soul fanatics. It's a blessing to have these hard-to-find 45s on CD. ~ Andrew Hamilton