Tonight Could Be The Night: The Very Best Of The Velvets CD

The Velvets, a '60s R&B/doo wop group from Odessa, TX, recordings featured Floyd Cramer's honky tonk piano, Boots Randolph's frantic saxophone, and other exemplary Nashville musicians. The African-American quintet was the protégé of Roy Orbison, and while not the most dynamic doo wop group (you won't find them listed on many Top Ten or 20 favorite doo wop groups' surveys), they appeared to be having fun. Lead singer Virgil Johnson's classic tenor isn't really employed to its fullest potential because of the songs' so-so arrangements. And despite having the accompaniment of the Grand Old Opry's best, these recordings lack depth and that heart-on-my-sleeve conviction demanded by doo wop purists. Featured are the shining moments "Tonight Could Be the Night," "Lana," and "Laugh," written by Orbison and Joe Melson; a rendition of "That Lucky Old Sun"; and six by Johnson that represent the Velvets' true identity better than the other songs. ~ Andrew Hamilton

Includes liner notes by Mark Marymont.

Personnel: Virgil Johnson, Clarence Rigsby, Robert Thursby (tenor); Will Soloman (baritone); Mark Prince (bass voice); Hank Garland, Harold Bradley (guitar); Boots Randolph (saxophone); Floyd Cramer (piano).

The Velvets: Virgil Johnson, Will Soloman, Mark Prince, Bob Thursby, Clarence Rigby.