The Wrens

The Wrens were a woefully under-recorded doo wop group from the Bronx led by singer Bobby Mansfield. Counting unreleased material and alternate takes, the group only recorded 14 tracks for George Goldner's Rama and Gee labels between 1954 and 1956. Their one hit, "Come Back My Love," from 1955, is collected here on this brief set, along with quality cuts like "What Makes You Do the Things You Do," the sprightly "Betty Jean," and "Hey Girl." Also here is one of the two tracks Mansfield recorded for Gee while backed by the Supremes (no, not the Motown group), "Reckless" (which is mislisted here -- as it usually is -- as "Wreckless"). The group's entire recorded output is available from Collectables under the title Best of the Wrens (again, we're only talking about 14 tracks), although this ten-song sampler will do in a pinch. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide