Anthony & the Sophomores consisted of Anthony Moresco (lead), Ernie Finaro (first tenor), Antony Perri (baritone) and John Donato (second tenor), who was the replacement for Richard W. Benatti. Hailing from 23rd and Tasker Streets in South Philadelphia, they had their first release as Tony & the Twiliters on Jaylynne Records in 1960. On Mercury in 1963, they had the hit, “Play Those Oldies, Mr, Dee Jay.” Their producer on Jamie, Bob Finiz, sang bass on the record. They followed that up with “Swingin’ at the Chariot” b/w “Better Late than Never,” before moving on to ABC Records with “Gee (But I’d Give the World)” b/w “It Depends on You” and “Heartbreak” b/w “I’ll Go Through Life Loving You.” Their next stint was on Grand with “Embraceable You” b/w “Beautiful Dreamer.”
In 1966, Anthony & the Sophomores reunited with Bob Finiz at Jamie Records where they released “Serenade” (from the Student Prince) b/w “Work Out” (Jamie 1330) and “One Summer Night” b/w “Work Out” (Jamie 1340). But they also haunted the studio and worked out harmonies on many songs and many improvisations that never saw the light of day. Late in the history of doo-wop, when the British invasion was well under way, their work seemed a throwback to an earlier era, and, indeed, “Play Those Oldies, Mr. Dee Jay” (or “Mr. Bassman”) was itself a clever bit of nostalgia for their sound. Songs completed but never released and heard here for the first time, with various combinations of artists and musicians, include “Try Me” and “A World of My Own.”
