The Swans (2)

The Swans (2) (St Louis, Mo.)
aka The Swans Quartet


Personnel :

Leroy Boyer（Tenor）

Ernest Washington（Baritone）

Walter Harper (Falstto)

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Discography :

The Faith Douglas Trio bb The Swans Quartet
1953 - For Dreams To Come True / Happy (Ballad 1000-1001)

The Swans (2)
1954 - You May Forgive Yourself / It's A Must (Ballad 1002/1003)
1955 - How Sentimental Can I Be / I’m Dressed Up To Cry (Ballad 1004/1005)
1954 – Night Train / It’s A Must  (Ballad 1006)
1955 – Happy / Santa Claus Boogie Song (Ballad 1007)

Biography :

By the early 1950's Oscar Douglas Washington was working in St. Louis, Missouri, as a school teacher, guitar player and poet. He collaborated with saxophonist Jimmy Forrest and the composition "Night Train" become a number 1 R&B hit in 1952. Washington wrote many other songs and recorded under the name Faith Douglas. In 1953 he started the small independent Ballad record label. The label released a series of doo-wop singles, which had some regional success.

   

The first release in mid 1953 was Ballad #1000/1 by The Faith Douglas Trio bb The Swans Quartet "For Dreams Come True". This was followed by "You May Forgive Yourself" b/w "It's A Must " by The Swans on #1002/3. The Swans then recorded "How Sentimental Can I Be " and "I’m Dressed Up To Cry " for #1004/5,  "It's A Must" with "Night Train" for #1006 and the seasonal "Santa Claus Boogie" b/w "Happy" was released as Ballad #1007. When the group Broke up, Leroy Boyer, Walter Harper, and Ernest Washington join the "Rex Middleton's Hi-Fi's."

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 

  
 It’s A Must / Night Train                  For Dreams To Come True / Happy

  
     It's A Must                              How Sentimental Can I Be

  
Santa Claus Boogie Song                   I'm Dressed Up To Cry

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