#TopsInPops

[vinylarchavist]

"Tops in Pops: All the Latest Hit Recordings" by Allegro Elite. This is a compilation album featuring popular songs from the late 1950s, designed to capture the hit tunes of the era as heard on radio and TV. The catalog number visible is 4131, indicating a specific pressing or edition.

Here's a concise breakdown:

Details of Tops in Pops (Allegro Elite, 4131)

Title: Tops in Pops: All the Latest Hit Recordings

Label: Allegro Elite

Catalog Number: 4131

Release Era: Late 1950s (based on the songs and design)

Format: Vinyl LP

Cover Art: Features a red background with a man and woman in a dramatic pose, likely symbolizing the excitement of popular music. The design is typical of budget compilation albums from the period.

Track Listing (from the image):

Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu (Volare) – Domenico Modugno

My True Love – Jack Scott

Patricia – Perez Prado

Splish Splash – Bobby Darin

Hard Headed Woman – Elvis Presley

Poor Little Fool – Ricky Nelson

Little Star – The Elegants

Notes: Labeled as "high fidelity," indicating it was marketed for improved sound quality at the time. The text "played and sung just as you hear them on RADIO and TV" suggests these are cover versions or re-recordings of the original hits.

Significance

Compilation Albums: Tops in Pops was part of a series of budget records by Allegro Elite, aimed at capturing the latest pop hits for a broad audience. These albums often featured cover versions by lesser-known artists rather than the original recordings, a common practice to reduce costs.

Cultural Context: The songs listed were major hits in 1958–1959. For example, "Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu (Volare)" won the Grammy for Record of the Year in 1958, while "Splish Splash" and "Hard Headed Woman" were chart-toppers by Bobby Darin and Elvis Presley, respectively.

Collectibility: These records are nostalgic items for vinyl collectors and 1950s music fans. Value depends on condition, ranging from $5–$20 on platforms like eBay or Discogs.