Childhood pop stars have been a part of our culture ever since there has been recorded music on the airwaves. Unfortunately, many of them go the way of Michael Jackson or Frankie Lymon. They are attractive due to the allure of their innocent voice, but get caught up in the “real” world, only to end up in tragedy.
For both Jackson and Lymon, after the passage of time and scandal, all that is left is the music, and for Lyman, it is an intriguing anthology on this 2 disc, 62 song collection that chronicles Lymans rise from an innocent and highly influential doo wopper to a young man trying to enter into the world of crooners.
Unless you’ve lived in a hole your whole life, you’ve heard the classic tune from 1956, “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” that has the 12 year old Lyman teamed with a classic vocal quartet and R&B band, creating an anthem for young Baby Boomers. The band had a format, and it worked fantastically with catchy tunes such as “Who Can Explain”, “I Promise To Remember”, “The ABC’s Of Love”, “Baby Baby”, “Out in the Cold Again” and even a tune from a “teen” movie entitled “I’m Not A Juvenile Delinquent”. Lyman’s bold and beautiful pre-pubescent voice is reminiscent of a young Lavern Baker, full of bright charm and radiance. The supporting band is no slouch either, giving impressive outings on their own on “”Flip Flop” and “Everything to Me”.
Due to various reasons explained in the fascinating liner notes, Lyman tries to get traction on other styles of music, giving his read of “Jailhouse Rock”, “Wake Up Little Suzie” and “Short Fat Fanny”,and then going into the world of pop standards on “What A Little Moonlight Can Do”. There’s a recording of him in concert from 1957, and he sticks to the Great American Songbook, giving Wayne Newton impersonations of “Somebody Loves Me” and “Let’s Fall In Love”. In retrospect, the music is actually impressive, but again you have to remove yourself from the tragic finale. Nostalgia, art and Sunset Boulevard with Gloria Swanson.