Emile Ford began as England's version of Carl Mann, creating rock & roll adaptations of classic pop songs, but Ford had greater technical and vocal ability than Mann. In collaboration with producer Joe Meek, Ford waxed a rockin' remake of "What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For?" that topped the British pop chart in 1959, then enjoyed substantial success with similar treatments of "On a Slow Boat to China" and "Them There Eyes." Counting Teardrops is a two-disc anthology of his complete recordings for the Pye and ...
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Emile Ford began as England's version of Carl Mann, creating rock & roll adaptations of classic pop songs, but Ford had greater technical and vocal ability than Mann. In collaboration with producer Joe Meek, Ford waxed a rockin' remake of "What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For?" that topped the British pop chart in 1959, then enjoyed substantial success with similar treatments of "On a Slow Boat to China" and "Them There Eyes." Counting Teardrops is a two-disc anthology of his complete recordings for the Pye and Piccadilly labels, encompassing two albums, a dozen singles, unreleased recordings and the hit EP Emile. The 61-track collection is split into halves, with the first disc compiling Ford's early Pye recordings (1959-1961) and the second his later Piccadilly sides (1961-1963). The package touts Ford as Britain's first major black star, yet his sound is firmly rooted in the pop/rock of white teen idols such as Ricky Nelson (whom Ford covered with "You'll Never Know What You're Missing"). Ford rocks the oldies throughout the program, from "Red Sails in the Sunset" and "A Kiss to Build a Dream On" to Carl Mann's "Mona Lisa," while also covering the songs of American teen idols such as Johnny Crawford and Barry Mann. The creative arrangements add a new dimension to familiar tunes, as on Ford's unusual remake of "Fever." He also ventures into harder-rocking territory from time to time, as with his rendition of "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," but classic and contemporary pop songs are clearly his forte. Ford is remembered in England for his huge debut hit, and among Joe Meek spotters because of Meek's early production work with Ford, but anyone who enjoys early-'60s teen pop will find Counting Teardrops an estimable collection of mostly well-known songs by a talented vocalist. ~ Greg Adams, Rovi
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