The Four Coins were one of the many vocal groups to emerge onto the pop scene in the wake of the classic early doowop groups like the Ink Spots and Mills Brothers. Following in the wake of the successful black doowop groups who came from the gospel scene, the white vocal groups often came from the barbershop tradition, with some coming from the Italian-American community. The Four Coins were slightly different, in that they were of Greek extraction, but shared the Mediterranean musical heritage. Hailing from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, the collective consisted of Jimmy Gregorakis, George Mantalis, and brothers George and Jack Mahramas. Orchestra leader, Lee Barrett, took them to audition in Cincinnati, Ohio and this led to their cutting some high-charting records and appearing on television. This also led to a recording contract with Columbia Records recording on the Epic label.

This 59-track collection features their A & B sides of their singles on the Epic, MGM and Jubilee labels, along with selected tracks from their albums The Four Coins, Four Coins In Shangri-La and Greek Songs. It includes all their eight career hits including the No.11 Shangri-La, and the Top 30 entries I Love You Madly, Memories Of You, My One Sin and The World Outside.

Their track A Broken Promise appeared in the 1957 Warner Brothers rock movie Jamboree. They were a vocal group of the old school, rooted in the early ‘50s style, but they managed to keep their chart career going into the rock ‘n’ roll era to take advantage of the burgeoning album market.

This selection of their work, including a significant proportion of their singles during these years, admirably showcases their easy-on-the-ear approach and immaculate harmonies.

TRACKS