*** Little Joe Cook and the Thrillers

THE LEGENDARY LITTLE JOE COOK

(Beantown International)

Go down to Cambridge's Cantab Lounge and you'll see singer Little Joe Cook fronting his Thrillers while wearing a shiny gold peanut around his neck and a fine gold peanut on his finger. He's also got peanut-shaped shades and other goobernatorial accessories. Why? Because back in 1957 Cook's catchy doo-wop ditty "Peanuts" hit the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for 15 weeks, setting up his appearances at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater.

Now "Peanuts" and a batch of singles, B-sides, and gospel recordings from 1949 to 1966 have been assembled on CD. The Legendary Little Joe Cook begins with Cook's falsetto lead chirping out the hit single against a classic, rumbling 1950s rock-and-roll guitar break. Cook manages to slice the word "mine" into nine syllables on the familiar oldie "Stay," and the a cappella "Say a Prayer for the Boys in Korea" is a stirring gospel period piece. The 32-song collection includes tightly arranged R&B, pop, and doo-wop numbers, some burdened by facile string arrangements but most very solid swingers.

-- Bill Kisliuk

(Little Joe Cook performs Wednesdays through Sundays at the Cantab Lounge; call 354-2685.)