Gospel-trained Dee Dee Sharp had three years experience in the record biz by the time she made her first showing on the charts singing anonymously alongside Chubby Checker on ‘Slow Twistin’’ in 1962, having paid her dues providing background vocals on records by artists such as Freddy Cannon, Ray Charles, Jackie Wilson, Lloyd Price and Fabian. Her first solo single, released when she was just 16, zoomed up the Hot 100 too, as did a clutch of others over the next couple of years. When the Beatles came along, the hits dried up for Dee Dee, but she was soon snapped up by Atlantic Records, only to find herself in competition with Aretha Franklin. Sometimes life just ain’t fair.
Here on this paring of her first two long-players, you get three of her biggest charters, some original tunes from the Cameo song factory plus knockout versions of other hits of the day. To hear her wail Ted Taylor’s ‘Be Ever Wonderful’ is a joy to behold. The booklet contains an essay by Ed Osborne featuring some fun quotes from Dee Dee herself.