Dee Clark's debut album ranges across the music spectrum, from the pop side of R&B for the opening, "Just Keep It Up," to the slower, more mournful, and purer R&B of "Blues Get Off My Shoulder." The hit single "Hey Little Girl" is present, but its Bo Diddley beat sounds a bit out of place juxtaposed with quietly elegant ballads such as "Whispering Grass" -- as does the rocking "Seven Nights." Clark himself also makes some decent contributions as a songwriter, particularly on the loping, lyrical ballad "Nobody But You," with its achingly beautiful chorus backing a smoldering, lustful lead vocal. But on the whole, the mix of R&B, early soul, and some highly radio-friendly rock & roll holds together. And interestingly, the powers-that-were at Vee-Jay Records were obviously aiming at a wider audience than R&B listeners, as this long-player was issued in a stereo edition, which was still an unusual feature for a lot of R&B in 1959.
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