The Esquire Boys were led by Danny Cedrone, who is best remembered for playing the guitar solo on Bill Haley's Rock Around the Clock. I believe it was because of his involvement with the Esquire Boys that Cedrone didn't join Haley full-time, and was absent from most of Haley's recording in 1952-53. Sad story with this single is Caravan was primed to be the band's breakthrough hit, and then it was covered by Ralph Marterie's Orchestra and it became the hit instead. I don't think the group ever recovered. One of their best known recordings is their version of Bill Haley's composition Rock-a-Beatin Boogie, which they recorded several years before Haley himself did.
ReviewI had never encountered the Esquire Boys before this record. I was led to believe they were a rockabilly group, but there is no indication of that on this disc. "We Drifted Apart" is a mediocre sentimental song. It isn't made any better by the Esquire Boys' attempt to emulate the Ink Spots with a lengthy spoken recitation by the deepest voiced of their number. It comes off as an exercise in kitsch. I doubt that I would play this side twice if I owned it. "Caravan", on the other hand, was a pleasant surprise. It is a neatly arranged instrumental, faithful to the spirit of Duke Ellington, but original in its adaptation to the context it finds itself in. Each member of the band gets his chance to make his statement and they all contribute something of interest. In its best moments it reminds me of Les Paul's solo guitar sides on the back of the multi-tracked Mary Ford vocals. Swinging, tasteful, a nice overall sound. I would gladly listen to more of this.