VA - Teenage Crush Vol. 1-5 [1997-2007] (5 x CDs)

POP

VA - Teenage Crush Vol. 1-5 [1997-2007] (5 x CDs)

Ace Records’ Teenage Crush series is a five-volume archival project that documents the emotional architecture of American teen pop between the late 1950s and early 1960s. Released over a decade, the series avoids novelty and nostalgia tropes, instead curating a sincere portrait of adolescent yearning as expressed through charting singles, regional hits, and overlooked ballads.

The series is not a genre study, but a mood-driven excavation, focused on the soft, often string-laden sound that defined the pre-Beatles era of youth-oriented pop. It captures the moment when rock & roll softened into pop sentimentality, and when doo-wop, country crossover, and crooner ballads converged in the teenage imagination. The selections are sequenced to evoke emotional continuity: heartbreak, innocence, longing, and the quiet drama of growing up.

What sets Teenage Crush apart is its refusal to chase only the obvious hits. While Billboard staples are present, the series leans into lesser-known sides that once flickered on regional radio or hovered just below national recognition. Tracks like Kirby St. Romain’s “Summer’s Comin’” and Austin Taylor’s “Push Push” (Vol. 5) are emblematic of Ace’s curatorial ethos, emotionally resonant, historically grounded, and sonically rich.

Each volume is mastered from original mono sources and accompanied by detailed liner notes that contextualize the artists, labels, and recording histories. The packaging is consistent, understated, and collector-friendly, with no gimmicks or forced nostalgia. As a whole, Teenage Crush functions as a sonic diary, not of youth itself, but of how youth was mythologized in the grooves of 45s. (B)

==========================================================

ALL 

OR

ALL 

===========================================================

Track lists

Vol. 01

01 Phil Phillips - Sea of Love 2:25

02 Ral Donner - You Don't Know What You've Got (Until You Lose It) 2:15

03 Jack Scott - What in The World's Come Over You 2:46

04 Jerry Wallace - How The Time Flies 2:29

05 Poni-Tails - Born Too Late 2:20

06 Ray Peterson - Tell Laura I Love Her 2:58

07 Don Gibson - Sweet Dreams 2:17

08 Conway Twitty - It's Only Make Believe 2:15

09 Frankie Avalon - Bobby Sox to Stockings 2:41

10 Brian Hyland - Sealed With A Kiss 2:43

11 Steve Lawrence - Pretty Blue Eyes 1:55

12 Neil Sedaka - The Diary 2:18

13 Bobby Vee - Devil Or Angel 2:20

14 Mel Carter - Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me 2:31

15 Mike Clifford - Close to Cathy 2:56

16 Lettermen - The Way You Look Tonight 2:23

17 Fleetwoods - Tragedy 2:46

18 Carl Dobkins, Jr - My Heart is an Open Book 2:10

19 Anita Kerr Singers - My Special Angel 3:00

20 Tommy Edwards - It's All in The Game 2:40

21 Paul Anka - Love Me Warm and Tender 2:20

22 Mark Dinning - Teen Angel 2:41

23 Johnny Mathis - Chances Are 3:04

24 Jesse Belvin - Guess Who - 2:55

25 Adam Wade - Take Good Care of Her 2:36

26 Tommy Sands - Teenage Crush 2:25

27 Julie London - Cry Me A River 2:59

28 G-Clefs - I Understand 2:44

Vol. 02

01 Eddie Cochran - Sittin' in The Balcony 2:00

02 Fleetwoods - Come Softly to Me 2:26

03 Ritchie Valens - Donna 2:30

04 Bobby Curtola - Fortune Teller 2:45

05 Jimmy Clanton - Venus in Blue Jeans 2:21

06 Brook Benton - Endlessly 2:20

07 Rick Nelson - A Teenager's Romance 2:20

08 Billy Storm - I've Come of Age 2:55

09 Tony Bellus - Robbin' The Cradle 2:36

10 Larry Hall - Sandy 2:30

11 Ed Townsend - For Your Love 2:52

12 Johnny Burnette - You're Sixteen 1:59

13 Flamingos - I Only Have Eyes for You 3:24

14 Larry Finnegan - Dear One 3:03

15 Browns - The Three Bells 2:52

16 Jimmy Elledge - Funny How Time Slips Away 2:51

17 Jimmie F. Rodgers - Honeycomb 2:17

18 George Hamilton Iv - A Rose and A Baby Ruth 2:01

19 Skeeter Davis - The End of The World 2:39

20 Garry Mills - Look for A Star 2:26

21 Dale Ward - Letter From Sherry 2:22

22 Frankie Avalon - Venus 2:23

23 Brian Hyland - Let Me Belong to You 3:05

24 Bobby Darin - Dream Lover 2:32

25 Ivory Joe Hunter - Since I Met You Baby 2:46

26 Connie Stevens - Sixteen Reasons 1:58

27 Castells - So This is Love 2:46

28 Percy Faith - The Theme From 'a Summer Place' 2:23

Vol. 03

01 Terry Stafford - Suspicion 2:30

02 Little Willie John - Talk to Me, Talk to Me 2:43

03 Fabian - String Along 2:21

04 Kenny Chandler - Heart 2:40

05 Johnny Crawford - Rumors 2:15

06 Ral Donner - The Girl of My Best Friend 2:16

07 Ray Peterson - Corrina, Corrina 2:41

08 Tommy Roe - Sheila 2:03

09 Johnny Ferguson - Angela Jones 2:26

10 Floyd Robinson - Makin' Love 1:56

11 Randy Starr - After School 2:30

12 Jerry Keller - Here Comes Summer 2:09

13 Dee Clark - Raindrops 2:54

14 Ronnie and The Hi-Lites - I Wish That We Were Married 2:52

15 Joey Powers - Midnight Mary 2:25

16 James Gilreath - Little Band of Gold 2:24

17 Donnie Brooks - Mission Bell 2:23

18 Gino and Gina - Pretty Baby 1:58

19 Jerry Wallace - Primrose Lane 2:26

20 Ken Copeland - Pledge of Love 2:19

21 Gary Stites - Lonely for You 2:34

22 Echoes - Baby Blue 2:30

23 Glen Campbell - Turn Around, Look at Me 2:37

24 Innocents - Honest I Do 1:57

25 Rod Lauren - If I Had A Girl 2:11

26 Donnie and The Dreamers - Count Every Star 2:01

27 Demensions - Over The Rainbow 3:17

28 Fireflies - I Can't Say Goodbye 2:09

Vol. 04

01 Dickey Lee - I Saw Linda Yesterday 2:01

02 Andy Rose - Just Young 2:19

03 Huelyn Duvall - Little Boy Blue 2:11

04 Pat Boone - Love Letters in The Sand 2:15

05 Bobby Darin - Queen of The Hop 2:05

06 Rick Nelson - Never Be Anyone Else But You 2:15

07 Tommy Boyce - I'll Remember Carol 2:23

08 Johnny Burnette - Dreamin' 2:19

09 Statues - Blue Velvet 2:22

10 George Hamilton IV - Why Don't They Understand 2:37

11 Frankie Avalon - Why 2:41

12 Kris Jensen - Torture 2:11

13 Clyde Mcphatter - Treasure of Love 2:12

14 Denny Reed - A Teenager Feels it Too 2:08

15 Dale Wright - She's Neat 2:04

16 Bobby Vee - Take Good Care of My Baby 2:29

17 Teen Tones - Three Stars 3:12

18 James Darren - Goodbye Cruel World 2:26

19 Dale and Grace - Stop and Think it Over 2:35

20 T. K. Hulin - I'm Not A Fool Anymore 3:00

21 Dean Christie - Heart Breaker 2:15

22 Lou Christie - Two Faces Have I 2:45

23 Lettermen - When I Fall in Love 2:30

24 Frank Pizani - Angry 1:55

25 Ray Peterson - The Wonder of You 2:38

26 Fleetwoods - Mr Blue 2:22

27 Clyde Stacy - So Young 2:34

28 Chico Holiday - Young Ideas 2:13

Vol. 05

01 Austin Taylor - Push Push 2:08

02 Steve Lawrence - Footsteps 2:10

03 Vic Dana - I Will 2:29

04 Johnny Tillotson - Why Do I Love You So 2:02

05 Frank Gari - Lullaby of Love 2:12

06 Paul Dino - Ginnie Bell 2:08

07 Paul & Paula - Young Lovers 2:31

08 Dickey Lee - Don't Wanna Think About Paula 2:08

09 Nicky Dematteo - Suddenly 2:26

10 Dion Dimucci - Donna The Prima Donna 2:47

11 Bobby Hamilton - Crazy Eyes for You 2:21

12 Mel Gadson - Comin' Down With Love 2:04

13 Dick & Deedee - Young and in Love 2:18

14 Frankie Calen - Joanie 2:27

15 Dale Hawkins - A House, A Car and A Wedding Ring 2:10

16 Kirby St. Romain - Summer's Comin' 1:56

17 Johnny Dee - Sittin' in The Balcony 1:56

18 Jerry Fuller - Tennessee Waltz 2:12

19 Danny Valentino - Biology 2:30

20 Ronny Douglas - Run, Run, Run 2:15

21 Dean & Marc - Tell Him No 2:05

22 Dean Reed - The Search 2:05

23 Frankie Avalon - Just Ask Your Heart 2:27

24 Deane Hawley - Look for A Star 2:06

25 Four Dates - I'm Happy 2:10

26 Karl Hammel Jr. - Summer Souvenirs 2:13

27 Kalin Twins - Forget Me Not 2:23

28 Blackwells - Love Or Money 2:26

=============================================================

=============================================================

Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

=============================================================

=============================================================