Nolan Strong

Nolan Strong's high-tenor voice was a huge influence on many Detroit singers, most notably Smokey Robinson. Fortune of Hits, Vol. 1 collects some of the legendary singles Strong recorded with the Diablos during the '50s. A doo wop classic, "The Wind" is probably the best-known of these; with a truly unique and haunted sound, its chief strength lies in the vocal interplay of Strong and the rest of the group, who counter his shimmering lead with a harmony chorus of "blow wind." Other highlights include the blues-based "The Way You Dog Me Around" and another ballad, "A Teardrop From Heaven." All of their songs share a quality of discovery and should be sought out by anyone interested in soul and R&B. ~ Wade Kergan, All Music Guide