Rhythm & Blues, Soul & Doo-Wop - Bulletin October 2008 - Various Artists
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BULLETIN - October 2008
Rhythm & Blues, Soul & Doo-Wop
V arious Artists
 

 

NEW COMPACT DISCS
   
VARIOUS ARTISTS Bear Family BCD 16868 Sweet Soul Music - 28 Scorching Classics From 1962 ● CD $26.98
28 tracks, 80 mins, essential
I am giving all five volumes in this new Bear Family series an Essential rating for the following main reasons: the music represented on these collections represents the cornerstone of not only Soul music, but of popular music of the 1960's and has influenced almost everything since. Each volume is absolutely stuffed with music, with an average of 81 minutes per disc and the music herein is by and largely only lightly represented on other compilations, with all kinds of tracks that have been rarely if at all compiled on legitimate CDs before. Lastly (though certainly not least) Bear Family records are the standard that all re-issue labels should be held to, with elegantly packaged product, with informative and astute notes in a thick little booklet, not to mention the highest quality of sound available. Bear Family covers all of that and more on these CDs, so therefore I can't give these anything less than Essential, and certainly plan on owning all of them myself. So basically, you will be 100% satisfied with your purchase of these CDs, or I'll eat my hat! Songs in the series are presented in Stereo when good Stereo was available. Also, licensing arrangements made it so certain artists couldn't be featured here, so Sam Cooke and Ray Charles will not be included. So now onto the specifics for this installment, covering the glorious year that was 1962. Lots of big hits here; Duke Of Earl by Gene Chandler, Lover Please by Clyde McPhatter, Soldier Boy the Shirelles, Night Train James Brown, Playboy The Marvelettes, Twist and Shout The Isley Brothers, Green Onions Booker T. & The MGs, and many more. Then there is all kinds of lesser known Soul gems; Letter Full Of Tears Gladys Knight & The Pips, Cry To Me Solomon Burke, I Found a Love The Falcons & Band, You Better Move On Arthur Alexander, Snap Your Fingers Joe Henderson, Release Me Esther Phillips, and probably my favorite little nugget on this volume, Let Me In by The Sensations, just to name a few. I could go on and on about this collection, but we only have so much space and there are still three more volumes to cover. (JM)
ARTHUR ALEXANDER: You Better Move On/ BOBBY BLAND: Stormy Monday Blues/ BOOKER T. & THE M.G.'S: Green Onions/ JAMES BROWN & THE FAMOUS FLAMES: Night Train/ SOLOMON BURKE: Cry To Me/ GENE CHANDLER: Duke Of Earl/ THE CONTOURS: Do You Love Me/ THE COOKIES: Chains/ KING CURTIS & THE NOBLE KNIGHTS: Soul Twist/ THE DRIFTERS: Up On The Roof/ THE FALCONS: I Found A Love/ DON GARDNER & DEE DEE FORD: I Need Your Loving/ MARVIN GAYE: Stubborn Kind Of Fellow/ BARBARA GEORGE: I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)/ JOE HENDERSON: Snap Your Fingers/ JOHN LEE HOOKER: Boom Boom/ THE ISLEY BROTHERS: Twist And Shout/ CHUCK JACKSON: Any Day Now (My Wild Beautiful Bird)/ ETTA JAMES: Something's Got A Hold On Me/ GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS: Letter Full Of Tears/ LITTLE EVA: The Loco-Motion/ THE MARVELETTES: Playboy/ JIMMY MCGRIFF: I've Got A Woman, Part 1/ CLYDE MCPHATTER: Lover Please/ ESTHER PHILLIPS: Release Me/ THE SENSATIONS: Let Me In/ THE SHIRELLES: Soldier Boy/ MARY WELLS: You Beat Me To The Punch

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Bear Family BCD 16869 Sweet Soul Music - 30 Scorching Classics From 1963 ● CD $26.98
30 tracks, 81 mins, essential
1963 was certainly a turbulent year, and all kinds of great Soul music came out either inspired by the year's activities or despite them. This installment gathers from a wide variety of styles that fall under the Soul banner. You get Blues based artists like Bobby Bland with That's The Way Love is, and Etta James Pushover. Then you get sweet Soul music from Mary Wells, like Two Lovers, The Miracles You've Really Got a Hold on Me, Baby Washington's That's How Heartaches are Made, Jackie Wilson's Baby Workout, Doris Troy's Just One Look, and Inez Foxx's Mockingbird. Next up is the rougher stuff: Otis Redding with These Arms of Mine, The Five Du-Tones with Shake A Tail Feather, and Rufus Thomas with Walking The Dog. So many great songs packed into this little CD. (JM)
BOBBY BLAND: That's The Way Love Is/ BOB & EARL: Harlem Shuffle/ JAN BRADLEY: Mama Didn't Lie/ SOLOMON BURKE: If You Need Me/ THE CHIFFONS: He's So Fine/ COOKIE & HIS CUPCAKES: Got You On My Mind/ THE DRIFTERS: On Broadway/ THE ESSEX: Easier Said Than Done/ THE FIVE DU-TONES: Shake A Tail Feather/ INEZ FOXX: Mockingbird/ MARVIN GAYE: Pride And Joy/ JIMMY HOLIDAY: How Can I Forget/ THE IMPRESSIONS: It's All Right/ CHUCK JACKSON: Tell Him I'm Not Home/ ETTA JAMES: Pushover/ THEOLA KILGORE: The Love Of My Man/ MAJOR LANCE: The Monkey Time/ BARBARA LEWIS: Hello Stranger/ MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS: Heat Wave/ GARNET MIMMS & THE ENCHANTERS: Cry Baby/ THE MIRACLES: You've Really Got A Hold On Me/ OTIS REDDING: These Arms Of Mine/ RUBY & THE ROMANTICS: Our Day Will Come/ MONGO SANTAMARIA BAND: Watermelon Man/ LITTLE JOHNNY TAYLOR: Part Time Love/ RUFUS THOMAS: Walking The Dog/ DORIS TROY: Just One Look/ BABY WASHINGTON: That's How Heartaches Are Made/ MARY WELLS: Two Lovers/ JACKIE WILSON: Baby Workout

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Bear Family BCD 16870 Sweet Soul Music - 31 Scorching Classics From 1964 ● CD $26.98
31 tracks, 82 mins, essential
Wait a second, I thought because of the Beatles and the British invasion, all other music was knocked off the charts in 1964; but, look at all of these great hit songs that are on here! There's even a big hit for Chuck Berry, No Particular Place To Go. I thought all of the old Rock 'N' Rollers stopped having hits in 1959? Just goes to show, you should never believe what VH1 and Rolling Stone tell you. So many high points, here's just a few of the gems: The Tams's What Kind Of Fool, Solomon Burke's The Price, Timmy Shaw's Gonna Send You Back To Georgia, The Saphires's Who Do You Love, Irma Thomas's Wish Someone Would Care, Willie Mitchell's 20-75, and Don Covay & The Goodtimers's Mercy, Mercy, and so on. There's also a whole bunch of gigantic hits from the likes of The Supremes, Temptation, Four Tops, Otis Redding, The Drifters, James Brown, Martha and The Vandellas, Ike & Tina, and so many more. (JM)
CHUCK BERRY: No Particular Place To Go/ BOBBY BLAND: Ain't Nothing You Can Do/ MAXINE BROWN: Oh No; Not My Baby/ JAMES BROWN & HIS ORCHESTRA: Out Of Sight/ SOLOMON BURKE: The Price/ MITTY COLLIER: I Had A Talk With My Man/ THE DIXIE CUPS: Chapel Of Love/ COVAY & THE GOODTIMERS DON: Mercy, Mercy/ THE DRIFTERS: Under The Boardwalk/ BETTY EVERETT: The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)/ THE FOUR TOPS: Baby I Need Your Loving/ JOE HINTON: Funny (How Time Slips Away)/ JIMMY HUGHES: Steal Away/ B. B. KING: Rock Me Baby/ MAJOR LANCE: Um-Um-Um-Um-Um-Um/ THE LARKS: The Jerk/ SHORTY LONG: Devil With The Blue Dress/ MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS: Dancing In The Street/ WILLIE MITCHELL: 20-75/ OTIS REDDING: Security/ THE SAPPHIRES: Who Do You Love/ TIMMY SHAW: Gonna Send You Back To Georgia (A City Slick)/ THE SUPREMES: Where Did Our Love Go/ THE TAMS: What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am)/ THE TEMPTATIONS: The Way You Do The Things You Do/ IRMA THOMAS: Wish Someone Would Care/ TOMMY TUCKER: Hi-Heel Sneakers/ IKE & TINA TURNER: I Can't Believe What You Say/ THE VELVELETTES: Needle In A Haystack/ MARY WELLS: My Guy/ O. V. WRIGHT WITH THE KEYS: That's How Strong My Love Is

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Bear Family BCD 16871 Sweet Soul Music - 30 Scorching Classics From 1965 ● CD $26.98
30 tracks, 81 mins, essential
Sure there are all kinds of great James Brown songs from 1965 that you could put on here, but let's just put one milestone song like Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, Part. 1 on here in order to make room for Don Covay & The Goodtimers's See Saw, Fred Hughes's Oo Wee Baby, I Love You, and Roy Head & The Traits's Treat Her Right. Of course you could put about a dozen Supremes tracks from '65 on here, but just sticking with Back In My Arms Again, allows for Billy Stewart's Sitting In The Park, Alvin Cash & the Crawlers's Twine Time, and Barbara Lewis's Baby, I'm Yours. Then you could easily put at least five amazing songs from '65 by The Miracles on here, but by sticking to The Tracks of My Tears, there is space available for Lee Dorsey's Ride The Pony, Jimmy McCracklin's Think, Fontella Bass Rescue Me, Booker T. & The MGs's Bootleg, and The Impressions's People Get Ready. Basically there was just way too much great Soul music going on in 1965 to do more than one song by each artist; by '65, Soul music was cemented into American culture and was clearly here for the long haul. (JM)
THE AD LIBS: The Boy From New York City/ LEWIS BARBARA: Baby, I'm Yours/ FONTELLA BASS: Rescue Me/ Don't Mess Up A Good Thing/ BOOKER T. & THE MG'S: Boot-Leg/ JAMES BROWN & THE FAMOUS FLAMES: Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - Part 1/ SOLOMON BURKE: Got To Get You Off My Mind/ ALVIN CASH & THE CRAWLERS: Twine Time/ TONY CLARKE: The Entertainer/ DON COVAY & THE GOODTIMERS: See Saw/ THE DIXIE CUPS: Iko Iko/ LEE DORSEY: Ride Your Pony/ MARVIN GAYE: I'll Be Doggone/ ROY HEAD & THE TRAITS: Treat Her Right/ HUGHES I LOVE YOU: Oo Wee Baby, I Love You/ THE IMPRESSIONS: People Get Ready/ THE RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO: The 'In' Crowd/ LITTLE MILTON: We're Gonna Make It/ JIMMY MCCRACKLIN: Think/ THE MIRACLES: The Tracks Of My Tears/ WILSON PICKETT: In The Midnight Hour/ THE RADIANTS: Voice Your Choice/ OTIS REDDING: I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)/ BILLY STEWART: Sitting In The Park/ THE SUPREMES: Back In My Arms Again/ THE TEMPTATIONS: My Girl/ JOE TEX: Hold What You've Got/ FOUR TOPS THE: I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)/ JR. WALKER & THE ALL STARS: Shotgun/ KIM WESTON: Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS BGP CDBGPD 194 The Godfather's R&B - James Brown's Productions,1962-67 ● CD $18.98
22 track collection of sides produced by James Brown featuring his band and the various vocalists who worked with him during this period including many tracks appearing on CD for the first time. Includes sides by Dizzy Jones, Elsie Mae, Anna King, The Poets, James Crawford, Bobby Byrd and others. A solid collection of proto funk R&B.
 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Black Cats 115 It's A Deep Soul Thing, Vol. 3 ● CD $16.98
Another terrific collection of 20 deep soul rarities from the 50s and 60s - many making their first appearance on CD. Includes Cash McCall, Big Al Downing, Maxine Brown, The Springers, Curtis Smith, Spencer, Israel Tolbert, Langston & French, John "Rootman" Henry, The Reflections and others. Four page booklet has brief notes on each track.
 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Blue Label 42772 The Delta Records Story ● CD $16.98
22 tracks, 55 mins, recommended
Operating out of Nashville in the 1950's, Delta records put out a fine batch of records ranging from Gospel, Country Blues, R&B, and Doo-Wop. Label owners Red Wortham and Jim Bulliet had already successfully worked together in the '40s on the Bullet record label, which they sold in 1948. One of their best sellers (and indeed one of the best artists on this collection) would be Gospel giants The Fairfield Four, who are represented here with two fine tracks: Savior Don't Pass Me By and Jesus Met The Woman At The Well. Other notables, like two early tracks by R&B great Eddie "Guitar Slim" Jones, Certainly All and Feelin' Sad plus The Candlelighters, The Shadows, and Tommy Jay, all with two tracks each (the a & b sides of their singles.) You also get four tracks by Cecil's cousin Clenest Gant, two solo and two as Don Q & Clenest Gant. The fantastic Walter Smith, Louis Campbell, Red Calhoun Orchestra, Jan Smith, and Billy Carter round out the collection. The sound is absolutely superb: beautiful, clear and strong. Informative notes provided by Fred James. (JM)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Collectables 7570 Bronx Doo Wop ● CD $13.98
20 tracks, 49 mins, highly recommended
Not a new collection, but the first time featured here. Although there are a couple of clunkers on this collection, it's mostly chock full of great stuff. Some pretty well known cuts are here, like Remember When by the Earls, Tell Me Why by The Belmonts, and Solitaire by the Embers. You also get one more track by The Belmonts, a couple more for The Earls, and fine excellent tracks by The Excellents (go figure), Tremains, Duvals, Clickettes, Decoys, and more. My favorite nugget has to be the proto-Ska Go Back Where You Came From by The Summits, most blue beat blasters would flip their wigs if they heard this track, with its skankin' guitar and driving beat. Fantastic stuff! (JM)
THE BELMONTS: I Need Someone/ Tell Me Why/ THE CLICKETTES: Because Of My Best Friend/ Lovers Prayer/ THE DECOYS: It's Gonna Be All Right/ Tomorrow/ THE DEMENSIONS: Over The Rainbow/ THE DUVALS: You Came To Me/ THE EARLS: Life Is But A Dream/ Never/ Remember Then/ THE EMBERS: Solitaire/ THE EXCELLENTS: Coney Island Baby/ LILLIAN LEACH & THE MELLOWS: Smoke From Your Cigarette/ THE MELLOWS: How Sentimental Can I Be/ Yesterdays Memories/ LITTLE BOBBY RIVIERA & THE HEMLOCKS: Cora Lee/ THE SELECTIONS: Guardian Angel/ THE SUMMITS: Go Back Where You Came From/ THE TREMAINS: Jingle Jangle

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS East Coast Music 1000 East Coast Teen Party, Vol. 10 ● CD $16.98
29 tracks, 68 mins, highly recommended
Despite their rather inauspicious presentation and packaging, these East Coast Teen Party CDs have consistently been killers and I proudly own many volumes. Volume #10 carries on the tradition, with a range of music from poppy teen Rock'N'Roll to wild and crazy Rhythm & Blues, with a consistent focus on the rare and on the east coast. Though one wouldn't normally think east coast when referring to New Orleans and the south, if it means getting Little Richard and Johnnie Allen on the collection, then I guess that's alright. Starting off with a couple of tame pop tunes from Chuck and Betty and Col Joye, by track three you get the roof blown off with an absolute killer I'm In Love Again by The Upsetter. Other tunes of note: Walkin' Alone by Virgil Homes, Bobby Gaye's take on My Boy Lollipop, Be Bop Grandma by Solomon Burke, Six Button Benny by The Nite Riders, Handle With Care by Otis Blackwell, Step It Up and Go by Alexander "Mudcat" Thomas, and many more. This is a truly fantastic collection, very highly recommended, except for the complete lack of notes. (JM)
RAY AGEE & ELLY JOHNSON: True Lips/ JOHNNIE ALLAN: The Promised Land/ OTIS BLACKWELL: Handle With Care/ SOLOMAN BURKE: Be Bop Grandma/ THE CHANCELLORS: Gotta Little Baby/ CHUCK & BETTY: Come Back Little Girl/ EARL DUKES: Spin The Bottle/ THE FABULOUS SWINGTONES: You Know Baby/ CONNIE FRANCIS: It's Gonna Take Some Time/ BARBIE GAYE: My Boy Lollipop/ VIRGIL HOLMES: Walkin' Alone/ JAN & JERRY: Bandstand Baby/ THE JESTERS: Cadillac Man/ COL JOYE: Be My Girl/ STEVE LAWRENCE: Little Mama/ LITTLE RICHARD: Dew Drop Inn/ JOE MCCOY & HIS REAL MCCOYS: Wella Willa Willa/ MERCY BABY: Rock 'n' Roll Baby/ THE NITE RIDERS: Six Button Benny/ BOB RILEY: I Think It's A Shame/ ERVIN RUCKER: Done Done The Slop/ THE RUSSELL BROTHERS: Cupid/ GARY STITES: Shine That Ring/ BILL STRICKLAND: Money Honey/ SHERRI TAYLOR & SAMMY WARD: Lover/ TERRY & JERRY: Out Of Luck/ ALEXANDER "MUDCAT" THOMAS: Step It Up And Go/ FRANKIE TUCKER WITH MILLINDER ORCH.: Big Fat Mama/ THE UPSETTERS: I'm In Love Again

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS GC 308 Group Classics, vol. 8 ● CD $17.98
A collection of 30 doo-wop rarities. Most have been reissued before so if you have an extensive collection of reissues you might want to check the track listing. Includes sides by The Leaping Flames, Classics, Pearls, Decoys, Thrills, Supremes, Metro Chords, Cosmic Rays, Chronatics, etc.
THE AMBASSADORS: Keep on Trying/ THE BUFFS: Me, My Shadow and I/ THE CHROMATICS: Give Me the Will/ THE CLASSICS: Burning Desire/ Jevous Aime/ THE CORONETS: Don't Deprive Me/ THE COSMIC RAYS: Daddy's Gonna Tell You No Lie/ Dreaming/ THE DECOYS: For You/ I Want Only You/ LEROY FULLYLOVE & THE BUFFS: I Want to Know/ JOEY & THE OVATIONS: Runaround/ THE LEAPING FLAMES: It Hurts Me to Work/ It's Been So Long/ THE METRO CHORDS: It's a Shame/ THE ORIENTALS: Please Come Back Home/ THE PEARLS: I Cried/ It Must Be Love/ THE SHARPTONES: I'll Always Remember/ THE SONICS: Funny/ THE STARLIGHTERS: Until You Return/ Whomp Whomp/ THE SUPREMES: I Lost My Job/ I Love You Patricia/ THE SYMPHONICS: Millionaire Hobo/ THE THRILLS: Ain't Got the Money to Pay for This Drink/ Who's Baby Are You/ THE TUXEDOS: Trouble Trouble/ Yes, It's True/ THE UNIVERSALS: A Love Only You Can Give

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Jukebox Music 631 Sock-Hop Doo-Wop ● CD $17.98
30 tracks, 73 mins, recommended
This is another one of the sparsely packaged Doo-Wop collections that there have been plenty of lately. The difference between this one and most of the others is superior sound and track listing. This is full of lots of rare cuts to agitate your argyles and pester your pedal pushers. It's a great start with the Sharptones Sock Hop, and it's off to the races from there. The vocal group sounds contained here run the gamut from smooth crooning to lively 4-5 part harmony. Notoable moldy oldies like Kiss, Kiss by the Royal Demons, Lovers Lane by the Runarouns, Love You Too Much, and My Dream by the Gothics, and many more. A couple of my favorites would have to be the wild Giggle Goo by the Saucers, and the hauntingly beautiful It's Over by the Exclusives. (JM)
THE AGELENOS: On an Island/ THE AVALONS: Picture of You/ THE CONTINENTALS: Went a Walkin'/ LITTLE SUNNY DAY & THE CLOUDS: Lou Ann/ THE DEL RAYS: Lorraine/ THE EXCITING AVANTIS: My Pleas/ THE EXCLUSIVES: It's Over/ THE FACES: New Years Resolutions/ THE FIVE CHANCES: Is This Love/ Need Your Love/ THE FIVE MASQUERADERS: Nature's Beauty/ FOUR SHARPS & A FLAT: Love Me/ LEROY FULLYLOVE: I'm So Lonely/ THE GOTHICS: Love You Too Much/ My Dream/ ROCKY HART: I Play the Part of a Fool/ WILLIAMS HINES: Bring Back Your Heart/ THE ORIGINALES: Lend Me Your Ear/ THE RAMBLERS: Come on Back/ GLORIA RAMSEY: My Love/ THE ROYAL DEMONS: Kiss, Kiss/ THE RUNAROUNDS: Lover's Lane/ JOHNNY SABER: Wish It Would Be/ THE SAUCERS: Giggle Goo/ THE SHARPTONES: Sock Hop/ THE SLIDERS: Love is Like a Mountain/ THE TERRANS: Moonrise/ THE UNIVERSALS: Never Was a Girl/ RONNIE VALE & THE INSPIRATIONS: Let Me Be Your Love/ THE VOICE MASTERS: In Love In Vain

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Kent KENTBOX 10 Take Me To The River - A Southern Soul Story, 1961-77 ● CD $54.98
3 discs, 75 tracks, essential
This is the nicest CD package I've seen so far this year! Kent has out done themselves this time: this 3 disc set comes in book form with attached sleeves for the CDs, with beautiful pictures and extensive notes. Very stylish! A fitting package for a compilation that aims to "tell the story of the golden era of Southern Soul". Does it succeed? Well, it does cut quite a swath, managing to represent nearly every big (and little) name in Memphis, Nashville, Muscle Shoals, and Miami (to name a few places where recording happened): William Bell, Otis Redding, Joe Simon, Clarence Carter, Johnnie Taylor, Millie Jackson, Ann Peebles, Al Green, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Candi Staton.the list goes on. Heck, even white boys Eddie Hinton and Charlie Rich represent, and prove that Soul was a feeling and a being rather than just the color of one's skin. Although one could quibble about the tracks selected for the artist in question (why Do Right Woman, Do Right Man over I Never Loved a Man for Aretha, for example) or omission of certain other artists (where's Isaac Hayes, Jean Knight, or Betty Wright), this is a solid history lesson for the Soul novice and there's just enough alternate takes (Otis' Try a Little Tenderness, for instance) to keep the collector's and diehards happy. In short, no home is complete without this set, and to answer my earlier question: does it succeed in telling the Southern Soul story? Yes, I'd say it does. (GMC)
ARTHUR ALEXANDER: Go Home Girl/ KIP ANDERSON: I Went Off And Cried/ THOMAS BAILEY: Wish I Was Back/ BARBARA & THE BROWNS: If I Can't Run To You I'll Crawl/ WILLIAM BELL: I Forgot To Be Your Lover/ You Don't Miss Your Water/ REUBEN BELL WITH THE BELTONES: You're Gonna Miss Me/ WILLIAM BOLLINGER: Tell Him Tonight/ TONY BORDERS: Polly Wally/ BILL BRANDON: Rainbow Road/ JIMMY BRASWELL: I Can't Give You My Heart/ CHUCK BROOKS: Love's Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down (part 1)/ DON BRYANT: I'll Go Crazy/ JAMES CARR: That's The Way Love Turned Out For Me/ The Dark End Of The Street/ CLARENCE CARTER: Heartbreak Woman/ Slip Away/ CHET DAVENPORT: Take One Step (i'll Take Two)/ GEATER DAVIS: I'll Play The Blues For You/ SAM DEES: We Always Come Back Strong/ DORIS DUKE: To The Other Woman (i'm The Other Woman)/ JUNE EDWARDS: You Ain't Woman Enough (to Take My Man)/ EDDIE FLOYD: Got To Make A Comeback/ KING FLOYD: Groove Me/ ARETHA FRANKLIN: Do Right Woman, Do Right Man/ EDDY GILES: Losin' Boy/ AL GREEN: Take Me To The River/ Tired Of Being Alone/ CLAY HAMMOND: I'll Make It Up To You/ Z.Z. HILL: Faithful And True/ EDDIE HINTON: Cover Me/ JIMMY HUGHES: Steal Away/ LUTHER INGRAM: (if Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right/ GEORGE JACKSON: How Can I Get Next To You?/ JARVIS JACKSON: Something I Never Had/ MILLIE JACKSON: It Hurts So Good/ ETTA JAMES: I'd Rather Go Blind/ AL JOHNSON: Bless Your Little Sweet Soul/ PAUL KELLY: Stealing In The Name Of The Lord/ FREDERICK KNIGHT: I've Been Lonely For So Long/ DENISE LASALLE: Breaking Up Somebody's Home/ LAURA LEE: Dirty Man/ THE MASQUERADERS: Let's Face Facts/ MAURICE & MAC: You Left The Water Running/ TOUSSAINT MCCALL: Let's Do It Over/ GWEN MCRAE: Lead Me On/ MEL & TIM: Starting All Over Again/ BOBBY NEWSOME: Jody, Come Back And Get Your Shoes/ FREDDIE NORTH: She's All I Got/ OLLIE & THE NIGHTINGALES: A Smile Can't Hide (a Broken Heart)/ BOBBY PATTERSON: I Get My Groove From You/ ANN PEEBLES: I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down/ WILSON PICKETT: Ninety-nine And A Half (won't Do)/ JAMES & BOBBY PURIFY: She Ain't Gonna Do Right/ QUIET ELEGANCE: You've Got My Mind Messed Up/ OTIS REDDING: These Arms Of Mine/ Try A Little Tenderness (take 1)/ CHARLIE RICH: When Something Is Wrong With My Baby/ SAM & DAVE: I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down/ JOE SIMON: My Adorable One/ PERCY SLEDGE: When A Man Loves A Woman/ THE SOUL CHILDREN: I'll Be The Other Woman/ CANDI STATON: Another Man's Woman, Another Woman's Man/ MARCELL STRONG: Mumble In My Ear/ TOMMY TATE: If You Got To Love Somebody/ JOHNNIE TAYLOR: Jody's Got Your Girl And Gone/ JOE TEX: Buying A Book/ PAUL THOMPSON: What I Don't Know Won't Hurt Me/ OSCAR TONEY JR: Without Love (there Is Nothing)/ SHIRLEY WALTON: The One You Can't Have (all By Yourself)/ SPENCER WIGGINS: I Can't Be Satisfied/ Uptight Good Woman/ BOBBY WOMACK: I'm Through Trying To Prove My Love To You/ O.V. WRIGHT: You're Gonna Make Me Cry/ TOMMIE YOUNG: Take Time To Know Him

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Kent CDKEND 298 Play The Game - The XL And Sounds Of Memphis Story 2 ● CD $18.98
22 tracks, 60 mins, highly recommended
The sequel to Kent's first volume of the XL/Sounds of Memphis story, Can't Be Satisfied (Kent 283 - $18.98), continues the label's saga with more sweet soul from George Jackson, The Ovations, The Minits, Barbara & the Browns, and William Bollinger. This set is especially attractive as it features many unreleased tracks, the highlights of which are Jackson's All in My Mind, Art Jerry Miller's Got To Get Home, Today, Tomorrow and You by Everyday People, and Ballinger's Is it Love. All recorded in the early 70's, these tracks truly reflect the times in which they were recorded sound-wise: lots of sophisticated production and dance-y melodies, and in fact quite a few are very much in the style of Willie Mitchell's recordings for Al Green. With half the tracks never released before, it's safe to say that if you have the first volume of the XL/Sounds of Memphis story, then you need volume 2. And if you don't have either, then I'd do myself a favor and pick both up today because each document an unsung chapter in Southern Soul. (GMC
WILLIAM BOLLINGER: Is It Love/ Teardrops/ BARBARA BROWN: You Don't Love Me/ CHARLIE'S CHILDREN: #1/ WILLIE COBBS: I Love Only You/ EVERYDAY PEOPLE: Today Tomorrow and You/ ANN HODGE: Nothing But The Truth/ GEORGE JACKSON: All In My Mind/ I Don't Need You No More/ CARROLL LLOYD: Try My Love/ ART JERRY MILLER: Got To Get Home/ THE MINITS: Natural Reaction/ Stepping Stone/ Take A Look At Yourself/ THE OVATIONS: Gotta Move On To My Destiny/ Little Man/ RICHARD & WALTER: I Love You/ LOU ROBERTS: Not Mama'a Little Girl Anymore/ THE SWEETEENS: So Much Love To This/ RUDOLPH TAYLOR: Doorsteps To Sorrow/ VISION: Play The Game/ SPENCER WIGGINS: Take Time To Love Your Woman

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Numero 021 Soul Messages From Dimona ● CD $18.98
16 tracks, 69 min., very highly recommended
At the least, listeners expect a collection of great, rare soul sides from a Numero release, such is that little label's deserved reputation. But every so often, they reveal a secret world of coolness that even ardent soul fans are not likely to have stumbled across. Such is the case here, where the Black Hebrew culture centered in Dimona, Israel (referred to here as the "spiritual capital of the world"), comes to life for anyone curious. The stellar (as usual) booklet provides a well-written and necessary road map from the back-to-Africa movement of 1967 that, for a select few, ended in a back-to-the-promised-land-of-Israel movement. The unusual suspects here include Charles "Hezekiah" Blackwell (who played bass for the Metrotones), Thomas "Yehudah" Whitfield, and John "Shevat" Boyd, who were at one time loosely connected to the Mar-V-Lus, Toddlin' Town, One-Der-Ful, M-Pac Chicago labels, no doubt familiar to most soul aficionados. The Soul Messengers are featured on 10 cuts, but also play on the 2 by The Spirit Of Israel. And, the Jackson-Five-influenced (just listen to the wonderful Holding On) Tonistics, , who have a pair of fine tracks, are the offspring of the members of the Soul Messengers. The Sons Of The Kingdom, also rate 2 songs. The sound features a mixture of straight-ahead soul, psychedelic soul, rasta beat, jazz, funk, and gospel. Song subjects tend to be spiritual, though often in surprising ways. The Sons Modernization takes a decidedly unfavorable view of that concept. The Messengers' Prince Of Zeal is more-or-less straight up jazz, but the best pieces, including Victory fuse soul, jazz, and funk. The Spirit's charmer A Place To Be features a Sam Cooke-esque vocal with first-rate female back-up singers that would give The Vandellas a run for their money. Not to be missed. (JC)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Owl 1001 The Best Of Owl Records, Vol. 1 ● CD $17.98
30 tracks, highly recommended
Great collection of doo-wop from the 50s and early 60s. Most of these were originally unissued, extremely scarce or obscure album tracks that were issued on the Phildelphia based Owl label in the late 60s and early 70s (according to the cover of the CD) or between 1973 and 1979 (according to the R&B Indies!). Anyway this a very fine selection featuring some of the genre's top artists. Some have been out on CD before but quite a few haven't. This first volume includes sides by The Platters, The Coronets (their great Begging N' Pleadin - originally unissued, with accompaniment by the great blues harmonica player Little Walter and his group!), The Monotones, Fiestas, Jive Five, The Five Owls, Aladdins, Sheppards, Gassers, Chocolateers, Hunki Dori and others. Excellent sound but no notes. (FS)
THE ALADDINS: Eternally/ THE BARONS: Until The End/ ELIAS BATES: I Love You/ THE BEES: Darling Please/ JESSE BELVIN: Let's Try Romance/ THE CHOCOLATEERS: For Sentimental Reasons/ THE CONTINENTALS: This Is Why/ THE CORONETS: Begging N' Pleading/ THE DANLEERS: Whole Mess O'trouble/ THE EL DORADOS: She Don't Run Around/ THE FIESTAS: Mexico/ THE FIVE KEYS: Your Teeth And Your Tongue/ THE FIVE OWLS: Lima Beans (acapella)/ THE FLAMINGOS: I'll Be Home/ THE GASSERS: Beloved/ THE GLADIOLAS: We're Lovers/ THE HONEY BOYS: Honey Honey Honey (acappella)/ HUNKI DORI: Use Your Head/ THE JACKS: Away/ THE JAGUARS: I See You/ THE JIVE FIVE: You're My Only Love/ THE MAGNIFICENTS: Rose Bud/ THE MARCELS: Peace Of Mind/ THE MONOTONES: A Toast To Lovers/ THE NITE CAPS: Oh You Sweet Girl/ THE PASTELS: Human (acappella)/ THE PLATTERS: Sixteen Tons/ THE SHEPPARDS: So Fine/ THE SPANIELS: The Possee/ THE SPARROWS: Hold My Baby Tight

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Owl 1002 The Best Of Owl Records, Vol. 2 ● CD $17.98
30 tracks, highly recommended Another great collection of originally unissued and extremely rare sides from the 50s and early 60s. Includes The Cadillacs, Flamingos, Barons, Cues, Spaniels, Gassers, Pastels, Crows and more. (FS)
THE BARONS: My Secret/ BO & THE CARNATIONS: Don't Let It Go/ THE CADILLACS: Baby's Coming Home To Me/ THE CONTINENTALS: Goodbye/ THE CROWS: Baby/ THE CUES: Be My Wife/ THE DANLEERS: I Found You/ THE DIABLOS: What You're Doing To Me/ THE DRIFTERS: Sadly My Love/ THE EMERALDS: Schoolboy Crush/ THE FIESTAS: Come On And Love Me/ THE FIVE KEYS: (i've Always Been) A Dreamer/ When My Troubles End/ THE FIVE OWLS: The Thril Is Gone (acappella)/ THE FLAMINGOS: If I Can't Have You/ Stolen Love/ THE GASSERS: Why Did You Go Away/ THE GLADIOLAS: Running Around/ ED KIRBY: Blue Nights/ THE LAMPLIGHTERS: Sad And Lonely/ THE MARCELS: Crazy Bells/ THE MONOTONES: Book Of Dance/ THE NEW-NOTES: I Want You To Be Mine (acappella)/ THE PASTELS: Oh Me Oh My/ THE PLATTERS: Are You Sincere/ THE SHEPPARDS: Queen Of Hearts/ THE SPANIELS: Little Joe/ THE SPIDERS: Don't Knock/ THE TAKE-FOURS: Come Back My Love/ OTIS WILLIAMS & THE CHARMS: Creation Of Love

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Rhino Handmade 7738 Atlantic Vocal Groups ● CD $99.98
Four CD limited edition (3,000 numbered copies) box set in LP sized box with 82 tracks of doo-wop from Atlantic and associated labels. Includes sides by The Clovers, Cardinals, Diamonds, Chordcats, Sensations, Del_larks, Superiors, Billy Storm (produced by Phil Spector) and many more. Comes with 32 page LP sized booklet with notes by Billy Vera plus rare photos and label shots. Counts as six CDs for shipping purposes.
THE BOBBETTES: I Shot Mr. Lee/ Mr. Lee/ THE CARDINALS: Come Back My Love/ I'll Always Love You/ The Door Is Still Open/ Under A Blanket Of Blue/ You Are My Only Love/ THE CASTELLES: Hey Baby Baby/ THE CHORDCATS: A Girl To Love/ THE CHORDS: Bless You (for Being An Angel)/ Cross Over The Bridge/ Sh-boom/ Zippity Zum (i'm In Love)/ THE CLOVERS: Blue Velvet/ Devil Or Angel/ Down In The Alley/ Here Goes A Fool/ Hey Miss Fannie/ I Confess/ I Played The Fool/ Needless/ Nip Sip/ One Mint Julep/ Skylark/ The Feeling Is So Good/ Yes It's You/ Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash/ THE COASTERS: Brazil/ Dance!/ Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart/ THE CRESCENDOS: Finders Keepers/ I'll Be Seeing You/ THE DEL-LARKS: Lady Love/ Remember The Night/ THE DIAMONDS: A Beggar For Your Kisses/ Cherry/ Two Loves Have I/ THE DRIFTERS: Adorable/ Don't Dog Me/ Drifting Away From You/ Drip Drop/ Fools Fall In Love/ I Know/ Ruby Baby/ When You Dance/ Your Promise To Be Mine/ Bip Bam/ The Bells Of St. Mary's/ The Way I Feel/ Whatcha Gonna Do/ THE FLYERS: My Only Desire/ THE GLOWTONES: The Girl I Love/ THE KING BEES: Can't You Understand/ CLYDE MCPHATTER: Long Lonely Nights/ THE OSPREYS: It's Good To Me (you Don't Know And I Don't Know)/ THE PEARLS: Bells Of Love/ Shadows Of Love/ THE PENGUINS: Please Of Love/ THE PLAYBOYS: Good Golly Miss Molly/ Tell Me (are You Really Mine)/ THE REGALS: Got The Water Boiling/ THE ROYAL JOKERS: You Tickle Me Baby/ THE SENSATIONS: Moments To Remember You By/ Cry Baby Cry/ Please Mr. Disc Jockey/ Romance In The Dark/ Sympathy/ THE SH-BOOMS: Blue Moon/ Could It Be/ Short Skirts/ THE SHEIKS: Walk That Walk/ THE SKYLINERS: Since I Fell For You/ BILLY STORM: A Kiss From Your Lips/ Dear One/ THE SUPERIORS: Lost Love/ CARMEN TAYLOR: Ooh I/ THE TIMETONES: Pretty, Pretty Girl (the New Beat)/ THE TOP NOTES: Hearts Of Stone/ Twist And Shout/ THE VERSATONES: Bila/ Tight Skirt And Sweater/ THE VIBRA-HARPS: Nosey Neighbors

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Rhino Handmade 7739 Atlantic Soul, 1959-1975 ● CD $99.98
Limited edition (3,000 numbered copies) four CD set in LP sized box with 82 tracks (only 82?) drawn from the label's vast storehouse of classic soul recordings featuring most of the giants of the genre - Ray Charles, Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett, Carla Thomas, Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles, Ben E. King, Barbara Lewis, Aretha Franklin, James Carr, Donny Hathaway and many more. Includes 36 page booklet with notes by Billy Vera and rare photos and label shots.
LAVERN BAKER & JIMMY RICKS: You're The Boss/ SOLOMON BURKE: He'll Have To Go/ I Wish I Knew (how It Would Feel To Be Free)/ Stupidity/ C & THE SHELLS: You Are The Circus/ JAMES CARR: Hold On/ CLARENCE CARTER: Looking For A Fox/ Too Weak To Fight/ RAY CHARLES: Come Rain Or Come Shine/ JUDY CLAY: Greatest Love/ Sister Pitiful/ THE COASTERS: Let's Go Get Stoned/ DON COVAY: Come See About Me/ Sookie Sookie/ Iron Out The Rough Spots/ THE DYNAMICS: Ice Cream Song/ THE FALCONS: Darling/ Take This Love I've Got/ KING FLOYD: Groove Me/ ARETHA FRANKLIN: A Change Is Gonna Come/ I Say A Little Prayer/ My Song/ GARLAND GREEN: Plain And Simple Girl/ DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES: She's Gone/ DONNY HATHAWAY: A Song For You/ Giving Up/ JIMMY HUGHES: It Ain't What You Got/ TOMMY HUNT: I Don't Want To Lose You/ THE IKETTES: I'm Blue (the Gong-gong Song)/ THE INTERDENOMINATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR OF WASHI: God Gave Me A Song/ THE ISLEY BROTHERS: Have You Ever Been Disappointed/ Your Old Lady/ WALTER JACKSON: Anyway That You Want Me/ JO ANN & TROY: I Found A Love Oh What A Love/ NAT KENDRICKS & THE SWANS: (do The) Mashed Potatoes, Part 1/ BEN E. KING: On The Horizon/ Where's The Girl/ PATTI LABELLE & THE BLUEBELLES: Groovy Kind Of Love/ Over The Rainbow/ BETTY LAVETT: My Man-he's A Lovin' Man/ BARBARA LEWIS: Make Me Belong To You/ TAMI LYNN: I'm Gonna Run Away From You/ JACKIE MOORE: Precious, Precious/ THE OHIO UNTOUCHABLES: I'm Tired/ Love Is Amazing/ THE PERSUADERS: Some Guys Have All The Luck/ Thin Line Between Love And Hate/ ESTHER PHILLIPS: Let Me Know When It's Over/ LITTLE ESTHER PHILLIPS: Mojo Hannah/ Some Things You Never Get Used To/ WILSON PICKETT: I Found A True Love/ I'm Gonna Cry/ I've Come A Long Way/ OTIS REDDING: Hard To Handle/ MACK RICE: Baby I'm Coming Home/ JIMMY RICKS & THE RAVES: Daddy Rollin' Stone/ ALVIN ROBINSON: Baby Don't You Do It/ SAM & DAVE: Soul Sister, Brown Sugar/ HARVEY SCALES & THE SEVEN SOUNDS: Get Down/ PERCY SLEDGE: Kind Woman/ THE SOUL BROTHERS SIX: Some Kind Of Wonderful/ What Can You Do When You Ain't Got Nobody/ THE SPINNERS: How Could I Let You Get Away/ BETTYE SWANN: Victim Of A Foolish Heart/ THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS: (gotta Find) A Brand New Lover, Part 1/ Crying In The Rain/ That's The Way My Baby Is/ Why (am I Treated So Bad)/ HOWARD TATE: She's A Burgler/ You Don't Know Nothing About Love/ WILLIE TEE: Thank You John/ CARLA THOMAS: I've Got No Time To Lose/ THE TRAMMPS: Hooked For Life/ DORIS TROY: Just One Look/ THE VALENTINOS: I Can Understand It/ BILLY VERA & JUDY CLAY: Reaching For The Moon/ Storybook Children/ THE VIBRATIONS: My Girl Sloopy/ BABY WASHINGTON: Breakfast In Bed/ Don't Let Me Lose This Dream/ I Don't Know/ MARY WELLS: Dear Lover

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Rhino (UK) 77576 Atlantic R&B, Vol. 1 : 1947-1952 ● CD $9.98
26 tracks, 76 mins, essential Reissue of Atlantic 81293. Certainly Atlantic records are one of the greatest--if not the greatest--record labels ever. Pretty much right out of the gate, they put out one amazing record after another. What we have here is a small sampling of the best of Atlantic's output in their first five years, an output of outstanding blues and Rhythm & Blues. On this we get huge well known songs like That Old Black Magic by Tiny Grimes, Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee by Stick McGhee, 5-10-15 Hours by Ruth Brown, Mardi Gras in New Orleans by Professor Longhair, and One Mint Julip by The Clovers. Then we also get monster tracks that aren't as well remembered but great nonetheless, such as The Applejack by Joe Morris, Tee Nah Nah by Harry Van Walls, The Chill I s O n by Big Joe Turner, and Gator's Groove by Willis Jackson. This also dives deeper with many of the great artists and on top of the already mentioned tracks there's two more from Tiny Grimes, three more from Ruth Brown, two more by Joe Turner, as well as additional tracks by most of the other artists mentioned. This being volume one and only covering five years, there is definitely a whole lot more essential material to come in this series, but if you are like me, you won't tire of this one while waiting for the next installments. (JM)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Spectrum 530 334-5 Stax Chartbusters, Volume 3 ● CD $10.98
18 tracks, 77 mins, highly recommended
All of the usual Blues and Soul suspects are here, sounding great as ever. Since this is the third volume in the series most of the big hits have already bean covered, but the Stax catalog runs deep enough to still fill this with fantastic material. This installment is highlighted by some of the great cover songs released by the label, like Isaac Hayes' epic rendition of Walk On By, plus Albert King's Heartbreak Hotel, The Bar-Kays Blues drenched take on Stevie Wonder's I Was Made To Love Her, and Booker T & The MGs Eleanor Rigby. Shirley Brown's heart wrenching It Ain't No Fun is also here, as is William Bell's Soul stirring My Whole World is Falling Down, and The Staple Singers' R&B #1 great If You're Ready (Come With Me.) Many more great songs besides, all expertly annotated in the booklet. It's great to see so much of the Stax catalog coming out again; I hope there is much more to come. (JM)
THE BAR-KAYS: I Was Made To Love Her/ WILLIAM BELL: My Whole World Is Falling Down/ BOOKER T & THE MG'S: Eleanor Rigby/ SHIRLEY BROWN: It Ain't No Fun/ THE DRAMATICS: In The Rain/ ISAAC HAYES: Ellie's Love Theme/ Walk On By/ JIMMY HUGHES: I Like Everything About You/ ALBERT KING: Heartbreak Hotel/ LITTLE MILTON: Little Bluebird/ THE MAD LADS: It's Loving Time/ MEL & TIM: Free For All/ THE SOUL CHILDREN: Love Is A Hurtin' Thing/ THE STAPLE SINGERS: If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)/ This Is A Perfect World/ JOHNNIE TAYLOR: Cheaper To Keep Her/ Hello Sundown/ CARLA THOMAS: Strung Out

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS X-Bat 5868 45 Carat Gold - The Bee Records Story, 1957-1974 ● CD $27.98
Two CD set, 45 tracks, recommended
Fine collection of sides recorded for the independent Bee label run by entrepreneur Grover Barbour out of his dry cleaning shop in Reading, Pennsylvania between 1957 and 1967 (the 1974 in the subtitle presumably refers to the year when Barbour died). The music is a mix of doo-wop, R&B, soul and rock 'n' roll - mostly by local obscure artists though Bunny Sigler later went on to a sucessful career as a singer and songwriter in the late 60s and 70s and Louisiana R&B singer Chuck Colbert has recorded quite extensively over the years. Other artists include doo-wop group The Honeybees, teen pop singer Bobby Franco, rock 'n' roller Hermy Herman, The Genos, The Kingsmen, The Royal Dukes (fine, mostly instrumental, rock 'n' roll group - their four cuts are previously are previously unissued), Earl "Duke" Johnson & The Roulettes and others. A dozen of the tracks are previously unissued and there could have been more but a filing cabinet full of master tapes, contracts and publicity was put out for trash pickup (ouch!). This production was a labor of love for compilers Dr. Philip J. Schwartz and Bill Yuhas and features excellent remastering by Walter DeVenne and comes with 32 page booklet with detailed notes, photos, label shots and other memorabilia. (FS)

 

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