Walk Right In (album)


Walk Right In is the debut studio album by the American folk group The Rooftop Singers, released in 1963.

Background

In 1962 the band released their first single, "Walk Right In", which became a big hit, reaching No. 1 in the US, and No. 10 in the UK. With that success they recorded another successful single,, and after it, Walk Right In was recorded and released. Both singles and their B-sides appear on the album.

Overview

Following the successful singles, the album reached high positions on both Cashbox and the Billboard Top LPs charts, peaking at No. 12 and No. 15, respectively. It was their only charting album in the US. Although having success in the UK with their hit, the album failed to chart there.

Aftermath

The group recorded well into the 1960s, but never had the same success, the album revealed the trio's strengths as well as its weaknesses. Apart from the title track, the group was probably too diverse and serious for its own good -- they weren't pop-oriented enough to hold the larger audience attracted by the single.
Their next single only reached No. 55 on the Hot 100, and the album after that didn't chart. They tried to release a single from Walk Right In in 1965, "Ham And Eggs", but it didn't sell and thus, failed to chart.

Reception

Bruce Eder on AllMusic wrote that, "The title track is a bright, sprightly reworking of the 1929 Gus Cannon original, and the rest of the album is pretty much in that vein, showing off the trio's roots in blues, gospel, ragtime, jazz, and even country & western." Eder also noted that Lynne Taylor gets one featured spot, with the children's song "Ha Ha Thisaway".
Cashbox magazine stated that the group "...tag this initial album after the biggie and include twelve other pleasing folk items," continuing that "The group’s distinctive vocal style and musical dexterity carry them in good stead as they offer 'Hey, Boys,' 'Top Cat' and 'You Don’t Know.'"

Charts

Chart Peak
position
US Billboard Top LP's 15
US Cash Box Top 100 Albums 12

Personnel