James Keyes, Claude Feaster, Carl Feaster, Floyd F. (\u201cBuddy\u201d) McRae, and James Edwards shared credit for writing the early Doo-Wop classic \u201cSh-Boom.\u201d Collectively, they were members of the Bronx-based R&B vocal group The Chords, who had their only hit with the song in 1954.<\/p>\n
\u201cSh-Boom\u201d appeared on Billboard\u2019s R&B and Pop charts (reaching the #2 and #5 spots, respectively), a rare crossover phenomenon in that era. \u00a0That same year, \u201cSh-Boom,\u201d in a paler pop arrangement, was a #1 hit for The Crew-Cuts, a Canadian quartet, backed by Dave Carroll\u2019s Orchestra.<\/p>\n
Some people consider \u201cSh-Boom\u201d to be one of the first \u201cRock and Roll\u201d songs (although references to \u201crocking\u201d can be found as early as 1947). I simply think of \u201cSh-Boom\u201d as one of my favorite songs. Lately, I have been wondering how well \u201cSh-Boom\u201d has been holding up to the test of time.<\/p>\n
My survey begins on the Left Coast in Los Angeles with Street Corner Renaissance, a five-man a cappella group, all of whom quit their day jobs to pursue their musical muses. Their debut album, appropriately enough titled Life Could Be a Dream, came out in 2011. When last heard from, SCR was playing to big crowds in Dubai. These cats made a smooth cover which I thoroughly enjoyed.<\/p>\n