Be My Baby: The Very Best of the Ronettes

Upon forming his own label, Philles Records in 1961, Phil Spector needed a roster to record his “little symphonies for the kids.” He had the back-up group in place, building his Wall of Sound with an army of piano, guitars, drums and string arrangements by Jack Nitzsche. The top session players in Los Angeles were brought together to make it happen. With Ronnie Bennett (soon his wife, Ronnie Spector) as the human face and voice on this girl group of street toughness and delicate hearts. The hits are legendary and enduring. “Be My Baby” and “Baby, I Love You” are untouchable, as perfect as pop singles can be. However, there were many more hits and they all hit that rarified sweet spot where the songs’ simplicity is matched with an eternal flame that can’t be extinguished. “(The Best Part of) Breakin’ Up,” “Do I Love You,” “You Baby,” “Is This What I Get For Loving You?,” “I Wish I Never Saw the Sunshine,” they’re all here and they sound like the group looked: beautiful.