The Dooleys — The Dooleys & The Chosen Few
This set brings together their first two albums: ‘The Dooleys’ from 1978 & ‘The Chosen Few’ from 1979. The band I guess could be seen as a more English & variety show take on the likes of the Osmond’s or Abba; as The Dooleys sound switched between male & female central vocals that were edged by harmony vocals from the rest of the rest of the family. Their sound through-out the two albums is a mixture of string lined big sounding 70’s pop, disco & the odd weepy ballard- both albums are highl varied & laced with insanely memorable tracks. Out of the two albums I think the first is the best as it’s full of this great day-glo, sweet & grand pop tracks- that don’t take them self too seriously, but are also very well played & composed too. ‘The Chosen Few’ is still mighty fine album through at times it seems a bit less fun; this album also features the bands biggest hit the very abba like 70’s electro pop & powerful joint female singing of ‘Wanted’ which got to number 3 in the uk & number 1 in the Japanese charts in Jun 1979- it’s a great song but it lacks the fun, carefree & playfness of their best work. As well as the complete original two albums there are also on offer 8 non album tracks/ B sides which are top notch too & add a nice bonus to the set
As with anything put out on the excellent 7T’s label you get a full colour booklet with an informative & interesting several page write up about the band, pictures of the original singles covers, album productions credits & chart places for each of their singles. So all told a great double disc reissue of classic, cheesy & insanely catchy 70’s pop- I must have item for any retro pop heads.