Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy in Bloomington, MN

One of the most overlooked of 1960s
soul
groups,
the Tams
-- led by
Joe Pope
's gravel-voiced lead vocals -- are long overdue for a reappraisal. From their first hit, the
Joe South
-penned
"Untie Me"
from 1962, through the impossibly infectious
pop-soul
of 1964's
"Hey Girl Don't Bother Me"
and 1968's amazingly wise
"Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy,"
have a stellar track record. Unfortunately, this collection features re-recordings of the group's hits, and while
Pope
's voice is in fine form here, the originals sound fresher and have a bit more punch.
Half-Moon
's
Best of the Tams: Hey Girl Don't Bother Me
has the originals, and more tracks as well. ~ Steve Leggett