Leader of the Pack (album) explained

Leader of the Pack
Type:Studio
Artist:the Shangri-Las
Cover:Leader of the Pack (album).jpeg
Released:February 1965
Genre:Pop, rhythm and blues
Length:28:18
Label:Red Bird
Producer:George "Shadow" Morton
Next Title:Shangri-Las-65!
Next Year:1965

Leader of the Pack is the 1965 debut album by girl group the Shangri-Las. The album was produced to capitalize on the group's breakthrough hits "Remember (Walking in the Sand)" and "Leader of the Pack", the latter of which had been co-written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich in addition to George "Shadow" Morton.[1] After the album's focal track went to number one, the Shangri-Las' style and image had evolved into something tougher and earthier.[2]

Much of the material for Leader of the Pack such as "Bull Dog" and "It's Easier to Cry" emphasized their new style. Other songs on the album include cover versions of "Maybe" originally by the Chantels with Betty Weiss on lead vocals, along with "Shout" by the Isley Brothers and "Twist and Shout" by the Top Notes.[1] Also on the album is "Give Him a Great Big Kiss" which the Shangri-Las had released as a single in December 1964.[3] Although the group had scored two major hits, the album only charted at 109 on the U.S. albums chart.

The album was rated the 49th best album of the 1960s by Pitchfork and 247th best album of all time by Paste magazine.[4] [5]

Track listing

Side one

  1. "Give Him a Great Big Kiss" (George Morton) – 2:12
  2. "Leader of the Pack" (Morton, Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich) – 2:48
  3. "Bull Dog" (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) – 2:22
  4. "It's Easier to Cry" (J. J. Jackson, Joe De Angelis, Robert Steinberg) – 2:35
  5. "What Is Love" (Morton, Tony Michaels) – 2:55
  6. "Remember (Walking in the Sand)" (Morton) – 2:18

Side two

  2. "Twist and Shout" (Phil Medley, Bert Russell) – 2:39
  3. "Maybe" (Arlene Smith, George Goldner) – 2:40
  4. "So Much in Love" (Billy Jackson, Roy Straigis) – 2:16
  5. "Shout" (Rudolph Isley, Ronald Isley, O'Kelly Isley, Jr.) – 2:10
  6. "Good Night, My Love, Pleasant Dreams" (George Motola, John Marascalco) – 1:15
  7. "You Can't Sit Down" (Cornell Muldrow, Dee Clark) – 2:18

Personnel

Shangri-Las

Technical

Singles history

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Warner, Jay . American Singing Groups: A History from 1940 to Today . 2006 . 447–448 . . Milwaukee . 9780634099786 .
  2. Web site: Out In The Streets: The Story of the Shangri-Las . Grecco . John C. . 2002 . Red Bird Entertainment . https://archive.today/20120914014038/http://www.redbirdent.com/slas2.htm . September 14, 2012 . dead.
  3. Patrick . Mick . The Shangri-Las . Myrmidons of Melodrama . February 2002 . . album liner notes.
  4. Web site: The 200 Best Albums of the 1960s Pitchfork . 2017-08-22 . Pitchfork. 22 August 2017 .
  5. Web site: 3 June 2024 . The 300 Greatest Albums of All Time . Paste.
  6. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990.
  7. Web site: Shangri-Las full Official Chart History Official Charts Company. December 3, 2021. www.officialcharts.com.
  8. Book: Bronson, Fred . The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits . Fred Bronson . 2003 . Billboard Books . New York . 0823076776 . 160 . July 6, 2012 .
  9. News: Iain . Aitch . The Leader's Back . . 14 April 2007.

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