I don't know if you know this, but before their so-called "over night chart success" their stage act had won The Dooleys various Clubland awards and even seen them tour Russia and Eastern Europe in 1975!

Indeed, their recording career had began in 1974 when they signed to Alaska Records, they recorded under former Status Quo producer John Schroeder. One of the tracks they recorded was written by Ben Findon and Geoff Wilkins called 'Hands Across The Sea.' It was the intention that this would be their first single, but a big blow came when they were informed that the song had been entered into that years Song For Europe to be sung by Olivia Newton John!

A couple of years later, a couple of members realised that Findon was producing hits for Billy Ocean and set about contacting him, telling the story of their disappointment at not being able to release 'Hands Across The Sea.'

So, Findon signed them to GTO and in the summer of 1977 gave them their first hit, the disco orientated 'Think I'm Gonna Fall In Love With You' which just missed out on a place in the Top 10. 'Love Of My Life' charted towards the end of the year, reaching #9.

And so the story began for The Dooleys. Indeed, the band continued to tour until 1992 with the number of family members reducing every so often. In 1979 they held the record for the most siblings on a hit single. 6 Dooleys - Jim, Anne, Kathy, Helen, John and Frank were joined by Anne's husband Bob and unrelated drummer Alan for those hits.

And so here today we have the double album release of both Full House backed with Secrets. Packed with every song from the original albums together with 14 rare B-sides and 12" extended versions, I was taken aback by that last fact as who knew they even had 12" Dooleys records back then! But the lush booklet that comes with this release reveals they come from a Japanese-only 12" single!

Full House was released in 1980, but in truth might as well have simply been called The Chosen Few, Part 2 as it contains some of the tracks! And again, in truth Secrets suffered too due to their record label at the time (GTO) being taken over by Epic Records - who failed to adequately promote them or said latter album.

Disc 1:
1) 'Love Patrol'; 2) 'Growing Pains'; 3) 'Let's Make Believe'; 4) 'Operator'; 5) 'Don't Turn The Feeling Down'; 6) 'You Bring Out The Best In Me'; 7) 'One Kiss Away'; 8) 'I Spy'; 9) 'Body Language'; 10) 'The Chosen Few'; 11) 'Whispers'; 12) 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina'; 13) 'Now That The Party Is Over'; 14) 'Love'; 15) 'Meet Me Halfway'; 16) 'In A Riddle'; 17) 'Once Upon A Happy Ending'; 18) 'Sign Of The Times'; 19) 'Going Solo'; 20) 'Stand Up Like A Man'; 21) 'Sad Old Spanish Guitar'; 22) 'Body Language (Extended Version).'

Disc 2:
1) 'And I Wish'; 2) 'The Dancer'; 3) 'Tip Of My Tongue'; 4) 'What You Got?'; 5) 'Love Trap'; 6) 'Love Me Love Me Do'; 7) 'Tokyo Falling'; 8) 'One Way Loving'; 9) 'In Real Life'; 10) 'Sooner Or Later'; 11) 'Will We Still Be Dancing?'; 12) 'Secrets'; 13) 'Taken At The Flood'; 14) 'Face In the Crowd'; 15) 'Will You Or Won't You'; 16) 'Danger Signs'; 17) 'Only The Music's Changed'; 18) 'How Am I Ever Gonna Live It Down'; 19) 'A Little Bit Special'; 20) 'Love Patrol (Extended Version).

And as with all other Cherry Red booklets it is very comprehensive and contains pictures of all relevant singles sleeves (including many rare European ones) and detailed liner notes by Phil Hendriks.

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