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Local Doo-Woppers Land Deal with Oldies Label
By Bob Kostanczuk * Post-Tribune * Staff Writer
I was blown away by them. They had that authentic street corner, New York City sound. The harmonies were rich and full. Their range - from the bottom of the bass up to the tenors - was excellent." -Dennis Pettet,artist-and-repertoire guy for Collectables Records
As artist-and-repertoire guy for Collectables Records, Dennis Pettet has an ear for the vintage street-corner sound known as doo-wop. But his oldies label didn't expect a group like Harbor Lights to deliver the goods. Here, after all, was a group from the Midwest that was true to a genre which seemed more at home in the Bronx. "I couldn't imagine anything coming out of Indiana, of all places," Pettet recently said. Doo-wop, said the sages, was the purview of the urban East Coast. "I guess I just had the concept that the north Jersey-New York-Philadelphia hub is, like, the golden slipper, if you would, for doo-wop," Pettet said. Harbor Lights happens to be a vocal quintet comprised entirely of Lake County residents. Known for retro-laced a capella, the group has just landed a five-year record deal with Collectables Records - a large East Coast-based reissue label. The contract means national distribution for Harbor Lights.
"Almost Acapella," is an album offering cover versions of classic doo-wop, along with teen-idol pop and old-school rhythm and blues. "To be recognized by a real label is a very nice trophy, if you will," said George Carl, a group member and its chief spokesman. "That really is significant in the music business to get national distribution. "Set for release Nov. 29, "Almost Acappella" will be available nationally at major record chains like Borders Books and Tower Records. Formed five years ago, Harbor Lights hopes the CD's retail-distribution deal opens doors on the East Coast. "This will sort of introduce the group to that audience," Carl said.
Harbor Lights caught Pettet's attention after he obtained a CD that radiated what he wanted to hear. The group's demo had impact. "I was blown away by them," Pettet said. "They had that authentic street-corner, New York City sound. The harmonies were rich and full. Their range - from the bottom of the bass up to the tenors -was excellent. "Pettet was also impressed by the multiple-leads approach to vocals.
The talents of Harbor Lights have previously been mined by minor league baseball teams. Finding a unique niche, Harbor Lights fashioned all-American theme songs for the Gary SouthShore RailCats and the Joliet (Ill.) Jack Hammers.
"Almost Acapella" serves up interpretations of innocent rock'n'roll nuggets from the '50s and '60s. Carl said that after "Almost Acappella" debuts, Harbor Lights plans future releases on the Collectables label.
Whether warbling the Token "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" or some other street-corner gem, Harbor Lights has an audience in 2005 for its throwback tunes."I think the music back then had more heart, more feeling. It came from their soul." Harbor Lights' DeRosier, 48, said. "There's a lot of smoke and mirrors these days, instead of coming from the heart."Disc Data" Harbor Lights' debut album on Collectables Records offers an intriguing smattering of retro rock'n'roll. Due Nov. 29, "Almost Acappella" serves up Ricky Nelson's 1958 lament, "Poor Little Fool". Jumping to 1971, our Northwest Indiana doowoppers tackle Motown, as a Hoosier spin is put on the Temptations' chart-topping "Just My Imagination". "Out-and-out doo-wop classics are also given Harbor Lights' sheen. We're talkin' Curtis Lee's "Pretty Little Angel Eyes" (1961), the Dell-Vikings' "Come Go with Me" (1957) and the Elegants' "Little Star" (1958). Dipping into old-school rhythm and blues, Harbor Lights dishes Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" (1961).
"Almost Acappella" gets its title from the fact that a little acoustic guitar -played by group member Ron Hanchar - flavors the disc. Still, the album remains basically true to Harbor Lights' no-instuments roots."More than half of the album is totally a cappella," group member George Carl noted. "Almost Acappella" was recorded at Thunderclap Studios in Hammond. Visit www.harborlightsdoowop.com for more details.
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