Chart entered : 25 July 1963
Chart peak : 42
Number of hits : 14 ( including one as Isley Jasper Isley )
Rudolph, O'Kelly and
Ronald had been doing the rounds for a fair few years before this became their
first hit here. In fact, it was only their second Billboard Top 100 entry in
their native America, coming the best part of three years after
"Shout". That's a song that we'll come back to in time, albeit in a
less thrilling version.
Here, they go back to
that well and I do wonder if the writers (including one Bert Berns) were
looking to cash in on the recent Twist craze. Whatever, the band recapture the
energy of "Shout", by Ronald on lead vocals certainly giving it some
serious gusto, with his brothers providing responsive backing vocals. It's a
thrilling record, filled with hooks from the introductory riff, the trumpet solo
and the rising vocals into the final section. The backing musicians, including
sax legend King Curtis, provide a tight, sharp performance.
I'm sure most people
will know that a certain bunch of Scousers picked up on the potential of the
song, and made it an even bigger hit in the States. Perhaps due to that
version, there have been numerous other covers since - all of which make it
perhaps one of the more recognizable songs in pop history.
As for the Isleys,
they would have sporadic hits throughout the 60s before a clever reinvention -
and the introduction of further family members - boosted their fortunes
(especially in the States), meaning it'll be sometime before we cross their
paths again.
D.C. Harrison
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