Shindig!: Frat Party; Shindig!: Jackie Wilson; Shindig!: Motor City Magic

Seeing the Shondells sitting astride Honda bikes, with Shindig! girls rocking and rolling behind them, as they sing "Little Honda," you have to ask yourself: were we major dorks back then, or what? I don't know, but this collection of "best" of Shindig! tapes are definitely a lot of fun (if slightly embarrassing) to watch. Frat Party features The Kingsmen ("Louie, Louie"), Dobie Gray ("The In Crowd"), The McCoys ("Hang On Sloopy"), Zsa Zsa Gabor ("High Heel Sneakers"), The Isley Brothers ("Shout"), Jerry Lee Lewis ("Great Balls Of Fire"), and others. Host Jimmy O'Neill serves as the ultracool introducer of acts (that is, reader of cue cards), and each of the tapes includes a corny commercial for milk, starring Bobby Sherman (in younger days). Motor City Magic is my favorite, for the sheer hit power of the collection: Mary Wells ("My Guy"), Marvin Gaye ("How Sweet It Is"), The Blossoms ("Dancing In The Streets"), The Temptations ("My Girl"), The Supremes ("Stop! In The Name of Love"), The Four Tops ("It's The Same Old Song"), Martha & the Vandellas ("Nowhere To Run"), Smokey Robinson & The Miracles ("You've Really Got A Hold On Me"), and more. For my money, the weakest of the trio is Jackie Wilson, because a) the variety is lost, and b) Wilson's songs are neither as memorable nor as longstanding as many of the tunes appearing on the other two tapes. The Jackie Wilson collection includes: "That's Why I Love You So," "Sing," "Danny Boy" (not that Danny Boy), "I'm So Lonely," "No Pity (In The Naked City)," "She's Alright," and others. Wilson's stage moves (which inspired Michael Jackson), however, are certainly a cut above the standard stand-and-sway performances of many of the singers of the period. Presented in hi-fi, the sound on these programs is excellent, particularly so, considering the series aired from 1964-1966. Two additional volumes in the series are Soul and Groovy Gals. All of the titles are recommended. Motor City Magic is an Editor's Choice. (Available from most distributors.)