Various Al Brown Presents Joyce "Best Of" (LP)

(Crystal Ball) 16 tracks

In 1957 Al Brown became heavily involved in the N.Y.C. Group Harmony Sound of "Do VVop". He was approached by a new record company "Joyce" and was asked to provide material and groups so they could be released on this new label. Al recorded several masters of which the following were picked by Joyce, although many of these sides were unreleased until now. With the exception of "Bad Motorcycle" by the Storey Sisters sold to Cameo Records and the unreleased 104-A "You Make Me Feel This Way" by an unknown single artist (Too Bluesy for this LP), here are all the tapes Joyce Records purchased.

Probably the most famous of these tapes are the 4 sides done by The Crests. Two of these sides were missing and this makes me believe they were sold to Times Square Records now owned by Relic Records: These same two sides appear on Lost Nite records; recently they surfaced on Collectables and appeared on Music Tone - owned by Andy Leonetti, who sold me the Joyce Tapes. The two sides "My Juanita" and "Sweetest One" most definatly belong on this album. So, if I stepped on someone's toes I apoligize, "Bad Motorcycle" was released on the Peak Label as was the Starlites "Missing You" and "Kiss Me Baby" although it was assigned a Joyce release number. The two sides by the "Love Notes" were assigned a stange release number 1928-A & B and these sides surfaced in error with The Starlites Labels on them and today are considered collectable treasures.

The -Love Notes" tunes were written with Al by group member Wesley Hazzard who explained why they were also called the "5 Sounds" and backed Russ Riely on the Aljon Release 'Tonight Must Live On". Other sides recorded for Joyce but rejected at the time, due to the fact they had too much product, rather then it being bad material are: "Dolores" by The Crescents and "My Greatest Thrill" and "Joanie" by The Starlites - (Available on the Relic L.P. "Golden Groups Vol. 17") "Pen Pal" was again recorded in 1964 by Johnny Cassell and appears on Al Brown's 1964 Lp "Dyno Sounds". Al would rerecord many songs and his affiliation with these groups would last throughout the years (See Crystal Ball Lp #116A| Brown's New York Sound Vol. 1).

In many cases the above sides have studio chatter and corrections to help bring back the actual 1957 recording session atmosphere. This Album is sole property of Crystal Ball Records who purchased the Joyce Tapes from their current owner Andy Leonetti. Also Thanks to the cooperation of Fhe Great Mr. Al Brown who's help was invaluable in putting this package together.