The Ivy League –This Is the Ivy League. (2021)

by | Aug 12, 2021 | Reviews

Three albums on two CDs Including EP and Bonus Tracks

The Beat Goes On Reissue 2021 various 1960s Recordings Pye Studios

Rating 75/100

Probably the blueprint for the concept of British band ‘The Ivy League’ was set in place several years before their actual formation in the wake of the multitudes of American Italian ‘Doo- Wop’ street corner bands. More particularly the commercial success of  ‘The Four Seasons’ on both sides of the Atlantic opened up the opportunity for an all-male British band to explore recording opportunities in a similar harmonic fashion. The difference of course was that whilst these similar styled American bands were springing up on every street corner, no such groups comprising harmony based songsters developed naturally in the United Kingdom. In the USA however, Bands that did so would have assembled purposely as a street located group, some attracting recording opportunities others, being the majority, fading into obscurity.

For example in the first instance ‘The Ivy League’ was the product of three very capable session singers being assembled together and initially being utilised to boost the quality of background vocals at various recording sessions. This was especially true in respect to the flood of new UK bands in the studio for the first time and before their true potential as a standalone group was fully realised. Especially in direct opposition to the American ‘Doo-Wop’’ movement of which no real British bands existed. So in a sense, the formation of ‘The Ivy League’ as an American styled recording group followed later. They had some moderate recording studio success followed by various changes in personnel. But the material utilised at the time was never clearly defined and the opportunity to cash in big was somehow missed despite the full on Americanised ‘Ivy League ‘moniker.

But, more importantly, what we do have here sixty years on here with this lavish ‘Beat Goes On (BGO) three-album CD package. It is a superb slice of pop music memorabilia from the early sixties, with nice melodic tunes, wonderful harmonies and catchy hook lines. On the whole a nice collection of songs, full of wonderful sing-along memories and fun arrangements.

As always, BGO has put together a labour of love, a complete collectors package with well-considered informative notes.

TRACKLIST

Disc One:

THIS IS THE IVY LEAGUE

  1. Almost Grown
  2. That’s Why I’m Crying
  3. The Floral Dance
  4. What More Do You Want
  5. Lulu’s Back In Town
  6. We’re Having A Party
  7. Don’t Worry Baby
  8. Make Love
  9. Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright
  10. Funny How Love Can Be
  11. My Old Dutch
  12. Dance To The Locomotion

SOUNDS OF THE IVY LEAGUE

  1. Tossing And Turning
  2. A Girl Like You
  3. Four And Twenty Hours
  4. That’s Why I’m Crying
  5. Running Round In Circles
  6. Funny How Love Can Be
  7. My Old Dutch
  8. Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright
  9. Don’t Worry Baby
  10. Make Love

Disc Two:

TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY

  1. Tomorrow Is Another Day
  2. I Could Make You Fall In Love
  3. Suddenly Things
  4. Lulu’s Back In Town
  5. My World Fell Down
  6. Our Love Is Slipping Away
  7. The Floral Dance
  8. Lonely Room
  9. Willow Tree
  10. Graduation Day

EP AND BONUS TRACKS

  1. Wait A Minute
  2. The Holly And The Ivy League
  3. Once In Royal David’s City
  4. Good King Wenceslas
  5. Silent Night
  6. Rain Rain Go Away
  7. One Day
  8. When You’re Young
  9. Arrivederci Baby
  10. Thank You For Loving Me
  11. In The Not Too Distant Future
  12. My Baby
  13. Nancy (With The Laughing Face)
  14. Lonely City
  15. Mr Ford’s Boogie
  16. Friday
  17. Busy Doing Nothing
  18. Rock & Roll Medley: Giddy Up A Ding Dong / Lipstick, Powder And Paint / Shake, Rattle And Roll / Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On
  19. Humpty Dumpty