This CD reissue of
the Esquires' classic debut LP will have you wondering why big-time success eluded the harmony-laden foursome. The often-changing lineup consisted at this point of
Gilbert Moorer,
Alvis Moorer,
Shawn Taylor, and
Millard Edwards.
Edwards, who sang with
the Sheppards, was from Chicago, while the other three were Milwaukee natives. Everyone is familiar with "Get On Up," a monster, and its knock-off follow-up, "And Get Away"; however, not many know of the excellent slow and mid-tempo numbers that B-sided their faster A-sides.
Gilbert,
Taylor, and
Edwards shared the leads (
Sam Pace later replaced
Taylor).
Gilbert's soaring falsetto and
Edwards' deep bottom made all their songs interesting. If you can find the import on London's Westside label,
Get On Up...And Get Way with the Esquires, then go for it -- it has 23 cuts, compared to the 12 on this one.