“Across the Street” (1964) – Lenny O’Henry * Written by Bob Crewe, Charlie Calello, and Valmond J. Harris, Jr. * 45: “Across the Street” / “Saturday Angel” * Produced by Bob Crewe * Arranged by Charlie Calello * Label: Atco
Lenny O’Henry (the stage name for Daniel Cannon) sings about a party across the street he’s not invited to, but you imagine everyone there dancing to the irresistible song he’s singing. That gives it a surreal aspect; so does the gurgling organ solo you won’t ever forget. Co-written and produced by Bob Crewe for Atco, the record didn’t chart any higher than #98, but it’s now one of those songs alternately categorized according to audiences that later embraced it, so consider it either Carolina Beach or (British) Northern Soul, origins be damned.