The Jaguars - The Way You Look Tonight

This was a 1988 LP issued on the Earth Angel imprint of Mr R&B Records. Packaged in a gatefold sleeve with the usual informative sleeve notes and photographs we always expected from a Mr R&B release, the record contained a very generous 24 track selection of Jaguars and Jaguars related material.

The Jaguars were formed by four students from Fremont High School in South-Central Los Angeles. The lead vocalist was Herman “Sonny” Chaney, the second tenor was Valerio “Val” Poliuto, the baritone was Manuel “Manny” Chavez and the bass singer was Charles Middleton. Originally called the Miracles, they made their first recordings for John Dolphin’s Cash label in early 1955. They soon moved to the Aardell label owned by Bob Ross.

The first two releases, “I Wanted You” / “Rock It, Davy, Rock It” and “Be My Sweetie” / “You Don’t Believe Me” had very limited success but their next release in the autumn of 1956 of the Jerome Kern standard “The Way You Look Tonight” was a big local hit and has become a doowop classic. At the end of 1957 The Jaguars were with the Ebb label where they released “Hold Me Tonight” / “Picadilly”. It went nowhere. In September 1959 the group were on Art Laboe’s Original Sound label where they recorded “Thinking of You” / “Look into my Eyes”, which was probably their biggest selling record, reaching Billboard’s Top 100 chart.

In the early 60s The Jaguars were being produced by Johnny Marascalco who had written “Rip It Up”, “Ready Teddy” and “Send Me Some Lovin’” for Little Richard. Material was released on various labels (including Chess) under various names such as The T-Birds and Chavez & Chaney. At this stage of their career the Jaguars released several Coasters – influenced sides. Their final release was on Rendezvous: the very fine “Fine, Fine, Fine” / “It Finally Happened”. And that was a good rockin’ note to go out on.

Unca Marvy’s R&B site has a good article on The Jaguars and the full sleeve notes by Jim Dawson and Steve Propes are included in this download. Many thanks to Joan for the accompanying label shots.

Ripped from vinyl at 320 kbps. Password = greaseyspoon

Download from here:

http://rapidshare.com/files/161612890/The_Way_You_Look_Tonight.rar

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http://www.megaupload.com/?d=15J4310A

1. Be My Sweetie
2. You Don't Believe Me
3. Rock It, Davy, Rock It
4. I Wanted You
5. The Big Bear (lead vocal – Patty Ross)
6. Taco Harry – The T-Birds
7. Girl Of My Dreams
8. The City Zoo (Baby, Baby, Baby)
9. I Love You, Baby
10. Hog Wild – The T-Birds
11. Be My Love – Chavez and Chaney
12. Fine Fine Fine
13. The Way You Look Tonight
14. It Finally Happened
15. Look Into My Eyes
16. Moonlight And You
17. Picadilly Rose – Chavez and Chaney
18. Thinking Of You
19. Green Stamps – The T-Birds
20. Don't Go Home
21. Do You Love Me – Frankie and Johnny
22. Hold Me Tonight
23. Charlena – The Sevilles
24. Picadilly