Twist And Shout: Volume 1/1960-1964
January 28, 2008

Product Description
This addition to Ace's Producer Series salutes the work of a man who sang, wrote and/or produced some of the greatest rock and soul music of the 1960s - Bert Berns.

During what was a relatively short career, tragically ended by a heart attack on New Year's Eve 1967, Berns created the original versions of such perennials as `Twist And Shout', `Hang On Sloopy', `Piece Of My Heart', `Brown Eyed Girl', `Here Comes The Night' and numerous other Hall Of Fame hits. He nurtured the early solo career of Van Morrison and was quick to recognise the potential in a young Neil Diamond. Almost alone among the great New York record men, he also spent time in the UK in the early 60s, and produced many important local acts, Lulu and Morrison's band Them to name just two.

Bert packed more into a career that barely spanned 8 years than most writer-producers do in twice or thrice that time. So many important records bear the Berns imprint in some way that it's not possible to fit the best of them on just one CD. This first volume covers 1960-64 and a second volume, planned for release in January 2009, will tell the rest of Bert's fascinating musical story.

"Twist And Shout" is released to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Bert's untimely death. Both volumes have been prepared in co-operation with Bert's widow Ilene and his children Brett and Cassie. The Berns children are also making a film about their father's life and work, which will hopefully come out to coincide with the release of these two projects.

1. Push Push - Austin Taylor
2. Lighted Windows - Hoagy Lands
3. A Little Bit Of Soap - The Jarmels
4. You'd Better Come Home - Russell Byrd
5. Pour It On - Sammy Turner
6. I Should Have Listened - Little Jimmy Dee
7. Cry To Me - Solomon Burke
8. Tell Her - Gil Hamilton
9. Twist And Shout - The Isley Brothers
10. If I Didn't Have A Dime (To Play The Jukebox) - Gene Pitney
11. Pencil And Paper - Ruth McFadden
12. Gypsy - Ben E. King
13. Hold On Baby - The Hockadays
14. You Can't Love 'em All - Mel Torme
15. Come On And Stop - Marv Johnson
16. I'll Be A Liar - Betty Harris
17. You Can't Run Away From Me - The Wanderers
18. Moment Of Weakness - Jimmy Radcliffe
19. Look Away - Garnet Mimms
20. One Way Love - The Drifters
21. You Can Count On Me - Roy Hamilton
22. My Girl Sloopy - The Vibrations
23. Mo Jo Hannah - "Little" Esther Phillips
24. Killer Joe - The Rocky Fellers
25. Baby Let Me Take You Home - The Mustangs
26. Here Comes The Night - Lulu

Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0010ZVOG8/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0010ZVOG8/?tag=imwan-21

Mr Success: Volume 2/1964-1967
January 25, 2010

Product Description
Ace's occasional producer-based series returns with a second collection focusing on the work of one of the most gifted, charismatic and successful behind-the-scenes record men of the 1960s.

Perhaps because he died young - on 30 December 1967, aged 38, just as his career was reaching new heights - his name is not familiar to many, yet insiders and experts regard him as a legend.

Released two years ago, "Twist & Shout: The Bert Berns Story, Volume 1" (CDCHD 1178) comprised recordings from 1960-1964. The story concludes here with Berns' compositions and productions released or recorded between 1964 and 1967.

The CD includes familiar soul, rock and R&B classics by Solomon Burke, the McCoys, Erma Franklin, the Drifters, Van Morrison and Garnet Mimms, plus plenty of rare items for collectors. The titles by Tammy Montgomery (Terrell), Larry Hale, Kenny Hamber, Pat Embers, the Pussycats, Barbara Lewis, Bobby Harris and Roy C are all new to CD.

1. I'm Gonna Run Away From You - Lynn, Tammi
2. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love - Burke, Solomon
3. Come Home Baby - Pickett, Wilson
4. It Was Easier To Hurt Her - Mimms, Garnet
5. Hang On Sloopy - McCoys
6. If I Would Marry You - Montgomery, Tammy
7. Come On Girl - Knight Brothers
8. In Front Of Her House - Hale, Larry
9. I Don't Want To Go On Without You - Drifters (1)
10. Show Me Your Monkey - Hamber, Kenny
11. Cry No More - King, Ben E.
12. Run Mascara - Exciters
13. You'll Never Leave Her - Embers, Pat
14. You May Be Holding My Baby - Pussycats (1)
15. I Went Out With My Baby Tonight - Moses K & The Prophets
16. You Forgot How To Love - Labelle, Patti & The Bluebelles
17. I'll Take Good Care Of You - Mimms, Garnet
18. Better Not Believe Him - Lewis, Barbara
19. Mr Success - Harris, Bobby
20. Gone Gone - Roy C
21. No One Could Ever Love You - Scott, Freddie
22. Mojo Mama - Varner, Don
23. Brown Eyed Girl - Morrison, Van
24. Piece Of My Heart - Franklin, Erma
25. I Got To Go Back (And Watch That Little Girl Dance) - Redding, Otis
26. Heart Be Still - Ellison, Lorraine

Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030BEU5C/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0030BEU5C/?tag=imwan-21