Song:When You Dance
Album:The Complete Herald Recordings
This doo wop classic was a top 40 hit in 1955. It was the only big hit for The Turbans. The Turbans were from Philadelphia led by lead singer Andrew "Al" Banks along with second tenor Matthew Platt, baritone Charlie Williams and bass Andrew "Chet" Jones. Jones wrote all the songs and Banks arranged and produced everything. The nicknames were given to avoid confusion. They started singing together after graduating from high school. They didn't have a name and their manager Herman Gillespie suggested they wear caps. It looks like he suggested the Scottish golf hats or tams as they are called. Williams said "I'd wear a turban first". And that's how they became The Turbans. They won a talent contest in 1954 and this brought them to Herald Records. The first single was Let Me Show You (Around My Heart) with When You Dance on the B side. As sometimes happens, DJs preferred the B side. When You Dance reached #3 on the R&B charts and #33 on the pop charts. It turned out to be The Turbans only hit. Jones wrote the song and it was arranged by Banks and guitarist Leroy Kirkland. It looks like King Curtis may have played the sax solo as he was in Kirkland's band at the time. They recorded several singles for Herald and then Big Top, Roulette, Parkway and Imperial. Nothing seemed to work. Platt and Williams were replaced by Earl Worsham and John Christian of The Quadrells. Jones left and was replaced by Reggie Price of The Quadrells. The Turbans finally split up in 1962. This CD has all their Herald recordings. Banks was constantly reforming The Turbans. And he was in an early 70s version of The Drifters. He again was planning to reform The Turbans when he died in 1977. One thing is for sure. When You Dance is a classic. Here's a video for when You Dance by the Turbans.
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