I have not been able to find any biographical information about this fabulous band, The Bop-A-Loos. I only know of a few 45s, this EP, and another LP. The reason this is included in the Bizarro Cover Version category is that it is just incredibly odd to hear this mambo adaptation of the Moonglows’ classic. That ascending staccato saxophone and the totally aggressive dramatic conga playing really make me giggle. And all those rollicking parallel fifths on the piano! My Music Theory professor would most assuredly have been ripping his plugs out – a biiiiig Luigi NoNo, that. Notice that they also cover another doo-wop tune, Hearts of Stone. Not as screamingly riotous as this, but also fun. And dig those crazy conga players on the cover. Total Vintage 1955. Put on your Dr. Scholl’s cha-cha heels, Gladys, it’s going to be a bumpy night…
Here’s the soulful, original version, in case you hadn’t heard it already, from 1954.
