The Ink Spots - The Ink Spots - The Greatest Hits [MCA]

The Ink Spots' hushed harmonies and acoustic-guitar backing were something of an anomaly in the brash swing era; they nevertheless carved a niche as one of the benchmark acts of '40s pop and were harbingers of doo wop. The group's most distinctive voices were tenor Bill Kenny, whose soft leaps into his high range remain heart-catching more than a half century later, and baritone Orville "Hoppy" Jones, who provides most of the 15 songs on Greatest Hits with recitations that are usually sincere and solemn, occasionally self-parodying ("Whispering Grass"). Not just for nostalgia buffs, this disc has a gentleness that stands on its own. (Beware the myriad later rerecordings by groups with vague ties to the original.) --Rickey Wright Amazon.com

R&R Hall Of Fame "Forefathers"

This group, elected in 1989 to the R&R Hall of Fame in the Forefather category, started out in 1931 as The King, Jack & Jesters, consisting of Ivory "Deke" Watson, Charlie Fuqua, Orville "Hoppy" Jones, and Jerry Daniels. In 1932 they changed their name to The Ink Spots, and in 1935 secured a recording contract with Victor.

A year later Daniels left the group, replaced by the wonderful voice of Bill Kenny. In 1944 Jones died and was replaced by Bill's brother Herb. A year after that Watson left to form The Brown Dots, later changing to The Four Tunes [and charting three hit singles from 1948 to 1954]. In 1952 Bill Kenny went solo and Herb became a DJ in Washington, D.C. Fuqua's nephew, Harvey, lead The Moonglows.

All this to say that, since 1952, there have been many passing themselves off as The Ink Spots and, consequently, there is a lot of stuff out there that does not reflect the original group or its key replacements in the 1940s.

From 1940 to 1951 the originals put 30 selections into the Billboard Pop Top 25, including four Number 1 hits - a double-sided No. 1 in 1944 with Ella Fitzgerald - Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall/I'm Making Believe - the wonderful The Gypsy which stayed at No. 1 for THIRTEEN weeks in 1946 [see track 14], and To Each His Own, also in 1946 [see track 15].

Prior to 1940 they had a # 1 in 1939 with Address Unknown, and lesser hits with tracks 1 and 3. Tracks 7 and 12 were low charters in 1940 and 1943. Since this claims to be their best from 1939 to 1946, we would have been better served had they included Stop Pretending (So Hep You See) [# 18 in 1940], Don't Get Around Much Anymore [# 4 in 1943], and Prisoner Of Love [# 9 in 1946].

The liner notes by Todd Everett are kind of skimpy, and in the discography they do not show chart performances. However, the sound quality is excellent on each track and the 15 selections are a nice mix of their library of hits. Still, what we need is a definitive box-set of ALL their hits plus the B-sides.
August 29, 2007

Essential Collection of Classic Songs

Before rock 'n' roll, before doo-wop, there was the Ink Spots. GREATEST HITS is exactly what it says. These are the Ink Spots' biggest hits from 1939 through 1946, beginning with their first million-seller "If I Didn't Care" through their final No. 1 "To Each His Own." [Their website claims "If I Didn't Care" has sold 19 million copies!] These are the original Decca singles presented in sequence as they were first released. The only drawback is the skimpy liner notes and lack of detailed track info in the accompanying 8-page booklet.

Along with the Mills Brothers, the Ink Spots specialized in smooth close harmony singing. The group consisted of lead tenor Bill Kenny, tenor guitarist Charles Fuqua, baritone-guitarist Ivory "Deek" Watson, and baritone-string bassist Orville "Hoppy" Jones. [Jones died in 1944 and was replaced by Bill's brother--Herb Kenny. This in the only lineup change on these recordings.] For the casual fan, this disc includes all the essentials and goes a long way toward explaining why they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Artists from the Platters to Manhattan Transfer owe their careers to this ground-breaking group. ESSENTIAL April 9, 2005

Classic Ink Spots

This CD is a nice overview of the fabulous Ink Spots.
This is the original group from the late 1930s - mid 1940s.
It's easy to hear the Ink Spots influence on early R&B and Doo Wop when listening to these classic tunes.
The Ink Spots tunes almost invariably follow a classic pattern - brief guitar intro, tenor lead, baritone talking bridge - but it works for them.
Don't be fooled by pale later imitations, these are the original recordings and the sound is excellent.
February 11, 2005

Bill Kenny sings to the soul!

That voice, clear sharp and sweet tenor of Bill Kenny, with a 50s cadence, sings straight into the heart and soul. The perfect combination of nostalgia for a time that never was, but was always longed for, and lyrics sung straight into the body. The tears of every teen-aged heart find a voice in this recording, with the playful baritone of Hoppy Jones providing background rhythm that makes longing fun. December 26, 2001

Pure Elegance--Thirties Style

I first heard the Ink Spots in the seventies when I got into big band. It was impossible to find their music then, and I listened eagerly on the radio. This CD illustrates the restorative magic that can be done with a competent remastering. It ain't stereo, but it's clear and true as only good mono can be! I wonder--do any black people listen to this music? I only know white people that like the Ink Spots. This music evokes elegance in the Roosevelt years. Like one of your other reviewers says, dim the lights, pour a drink, and enjoy! September 23, 2000

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