BULLETIN -
May/ June
2010
Rhythm & Blues, Soul & Doo-Wop
Chuck Berry
-> Bobby Womack
CHUCK BERRY |
Hip-O Select 13790-02 |
Have Mercy - Complete Chess Recordings,
1969-1974 |
● CD $69.98 |
The third and final volume devoted to the complete Chess
recordings of this great rock 'n' roll pioneer picks up the story in
1969 when he returned to Chess after a three year hiatus at Mercury
Records. His first single - Tulane/ have Mercy Judge while not a
hit showed that Chuck together with the Chess production team still had
the old magic. This 71 track collection features everey available master
and alternate take from this period plus 22 previously unissued
recordings, ranging from in-studio jams to four additional live
recordings from the concert that produced the live side of The LOndon
Chuck berry Sessions LP and much more. It includes, of course, his only
#1 hit - the live version of My Ding-A-Ling (no comment!).
Includes liner notes from Chuck's biographer Fred Rothwell who also
compiled the series and booklet includes great period photos and
session-by-session credits.
|
JAMES BROWN |
Hip-O Select 12928-02 |
Live At The Garden - Expanded Edition |
● CD $31.98 |
2 CD, 34 tracks. Originally released in 1967, the
original LP may not have become as legendary as 1962's "Live at the
Apollo", but it's still an excellent reminder of how good Brown was in
his prime. The title is a misnomer, as the recordings were actually cut
at the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, NJ during a ten night stand (two
shows a night) in January 1967. The original 12 song LP has been
expanded to include an entire concert recreated - and given the more
accurate title "Live at the Latin Casino" - from the same cache of
tapes. Another limited edition release in Hip-O Select's James Brown
re-issue program, this disc is a worthy companion to the label's
"Singles" series.
|
JAMES BROWN |
Hip-O Select 13349-02 |
The Singles, Vol. 8: 1972-73 |
● CD $31.98 |
2 CDs, 40 tracks, 144 mins, highly recommended
Here's another fine installment in this great series chronicling the
singles releases of The Godfather of Soul, James Brown. Since we are
getting into the '70s on this collection, the hits aren't happening as
often, but when they hit, they hit hard. This covers the whole James
Brown spectrum of the time -- JBs, Lyn Collins etc.--and also includes
some alternate mixes and such. Killer cuts like King Heroin/ Honky
Tonk (pts 1 & 2,)/ Pass The Peas/ Mamas Dead/ The Boss/ Doing It To
Death/ Slaughter Theme, and so, so many more. Essential for fans of
James Brown and of classic Soul & Funk in general at least Highly
Recommended for everyone else. (JM)
|
THE CADILLACS |
Jasmine 556 |
Zoom - The Josie Singles, 1954-1959 |
● CD $15.98 |
Two CDs, 43 tracks, highly recommended
Formed in Harlem, NY as the Carnations in the early 50's, this
R&B/doo-wop vocal group was first influenced by the Orioles but soon
developed their own style managed to make a fine body of work during its
original lifespan. This great collection features all their singles
issued between 1954 and '59. Their first single I Wonder Why b/w
Gloria and it was a regional hit on the East Coast; both sum up
the group's style: Gloria with its romantic balladry and I
Wonder Why with its up-tempo, swing-y love declarations. The group
finally hit big in 1955 with Speedoo - a memorable paean to
romantic prowess in honor of the group's leader Earl "Speedoo" Caroll -
and although they couldn't quite repeat the feat, they remained a
popular live act with their flamboyant stage antics. Their later
recordings have a more novelty feel and shows the influence of The
Coasters and while the latter sides are not as consistently fine as the
earlier ones there's lot's of great sides including my personal favorite
- the great Peek A Boo. Excellent sound and informative notes by
Bob Fisher. (FS)
THE CADILLACS: About That Girl Called Lou/ Ain't You
Gonna/ Always My Darling/ Bad Dan McGoon/ Betty My Love/ Broken Heart/
Buzz Buzz Buzz/ Cool It Fool/ Copy Cat 1959/ Down The Road/ Dumbell/
Girl I Love, The/ Gloria/ Holy Smoke Baby/ Hurry Home/ I Want To Know/ I
Want To Know About Love/ I Wonder Why/ Jay Walker/ Let Me Explain/ Look
A Here/ Lucy/ My Girl Friend/ Naggity Nag/ No Chance/ Oh Oh Lolita/
Peek-A-Boo/ Please Mr. Johnson/ Romeo/ Rudolp The Red Nosed Reindeer/
Shock A Doo/ Speedo/ Speedo Is Back/ Sugar Sugar/ Sympathy/ That's All I
Need/ Who Ya Gonna Kiss/ Window Lady/ Wishing Well/ Woe Is Me/ Yea Yea
Baby/ You Are/ Zoom
|
KING CURTIS |
JSP JSPCD 8812 |
With Al Casey - Live In New York Plus .. |
● CD $16.98 |
14 tracks, 78 min., recommended
Originally released on LP in 1985, this live set was recorded in 1961 at
Small's Paradise in New York but should not be confused with the
Atlantic album called Live at Small's Paradise. The sound here, although
not of studio quality, and filled as it is with noise from the club
patrons, is good enough, and documents the King Curtis at a critical
point in his development. The set is part jazz, part R&B; part sax, part
singing. And Curtis sounds most at home, most free on How High The
Moon and Canadian Sunset, where he just blows his tenor sax
for all he's worth, which is plenty. He sounds most forced and awkward
on the uninspired reading of his hit The Twist, where he puts
down his ax and sings. The original club date has been supplemented with
5 bonus tracks recorded in 1985 by Al Casey and band. A worthwhile
addition to King Curtis' eclectic and all to brief catalogue. (JC)
|
KING CURTIS |
Official 9139 |
King's Rock - 1950s Recordings |
● CD $16.98 |
29 tracks, highly recommended
Fabulous collection of super hot R&B recorded between 1952 and 1959 all
featuring the dynamic hard driving sax work of Texas giant King Curtis
including sides issued under his own name as well as his accompaniments
to vocalist Melvin Daniels and the incredible sides with the Sam Price
Quintet and Sextet. Three tracks from 1952 or '53 are untitled
instrumentals by a teenage Curtis with an unknown band that were
originally unissued and show that Curtis was already a force to be
reckoned with. There are five cuts from 1953 with Curtis accompanying
superb but little known Texas R&B vocalist Melvin Daniels. Curtis's
first tracks under his own name were his 1953 coupling Wine Head
and I've Got News For You Baby where he turns in two fine blues
vocals. The rest of the disc is all instrumental including five singles
issued under Curtis's name ranging from the storming King's Rock
to the sultry The Stranger. There are three sessions with groups
led by pianist Sam Price from 1956 and 1956 - the first two feature
guitarist Mickey Baker who turns in some of his most incendiary playing
- after those six tracks you may want to call the fire brigade! The
other Sam Price session features jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell who does a
pretty good job emulating Baker's approach. A terrific ollection with
superb sound. The booklet has no notes but does have full discographical
info. (FS)
KING CURTIS: Dynamite At Midnight/ I've Got News For
You Baby/ King's Rock/ Movin' On/ Rockabye Baby/ Steel Guitar Rag/ Tenor
In The Sky/ The Stranger/ Unknown Instrumental/ Unknown Instrumental/
Unknown Instrumental/ Wicky Wacky, Part 1/ Wicky Wacky, Part 2/ Wine
Head/ MELVIN DANIELS WITH KING CURTUS ORCH.: Boogie In The Moonlight
(Aka: Lean Chicks)/ Hey Hey Little Girl/ I'll Be There/ No More Crying
On My Pillow/ O.C. & THE HOLIDAYS: The Tuttle/ Watch That Action/ SAM
PRICE QUINTET: After Hour Swing/ Ain't No Strain/ Back Room Rock/
Bar-B-Q Sauce/ Rib Joint/ Tishomingo/ SAM PRICE SEXTET: Chicken Out/
Gulley Stomp/ Jive Joint
|
THE EBONYS |
Shout 63 |
Forever: Philly Soul Gems |
● CD $18.98 |
13 tracks, 54 mins, recommended
Sometimes there's a reason why a certain group doesn't quite make it to
the big time. Take the Ebonys for example: although they received a
quality make-over from the Gamble/Huff Philly Soul assembly line, they
never really made the leap into lasting stardom, although they've since
become beloved on the English Northern Soul circuit. And the material on
this CD tells the story why: although the material is well produced and
sung, there's nothing really special about the group to separate them
from the pack in 1971. This collection compiles the group's first
album-which includes their two medium-sized hits, You're the Reason
Why and It's Forever - as well as bonus tracks released as
45s that were not included on the LP. The songs are pleasant enough, but
there's not quite enough oomph to match contemporaries like the
Stylistics or the Delphonics. Fans and completists of Philly
Soul-especially fans of the Philadelphia International label-should step
up to the plate; others enter at your own risk. (GMC)
|
GEORGIE FAME |
BGP CDBGPD 206 |
Mod Classics, 1964-1966 |
● CD $18.98 |
24 tracks. The name Georgie Fame many not mean anything
to Americans, but to Brits of a certain age, Georgie and his band the
Blue Flames provided the soundtrack to a night out at the clubs. He was
noteworthy for playing a potent fusion of R&B, Jazz, and Ska and this
collection concentrates less on his hits (including Yeh Yeh and
Getaway) and spotlights more obscure material. Many of the songs
are covers (Papa's Got a Brand New Bag/ See Saw/ Funny How Time Slips
Away), but Fame, with help from the Blue Flames and the cream of UK
Jazz musicians, makes the tunes his own with his unique organ playing
and singing. The collection also contains rare photos and insightful
liner notes.
|
THE FIVE KEYS |
Jasmine 555 |
Rocking & Crying - The Complete Singles,
1951-54 Plus |
● CD $15.98 |
Two CDs, 58 tracks, very highly recommended
Another of
the great doo-wop groups gets an in depth treatment from Jasmine. This
time it's the great Five Keys out of Newport News, Virginia. Like the
finest groups of the time, The Five Keys showed talent on ballads,
uptempo and everything in between. Formed in 1950 as the Sentimental
Four, The Five Keys were basically comprised of the West brothers - Rudy
and Bernie with Ripley Ingram, Maryland Pierce and Dickie Smith. Rudy
West, Pierce and Smith all took turns as lead and are admired as some
the finest lead singers of the era. Signed to Aladdin in 1951, the group
topped the R&B charts in 1951 with their second single, a soulful vocal
group rendition of the old pop ballad Glory Of Love and the
uptempo flip Huckldbuck With Jimmy also had a big following and
this set the trend for future releases featuring the group doing doo-wop
rendition of pop favorites coupled with uptempo rockers. The first disc
and part of the second features all their Aladdin singles as well as
originally unissued tracks. In 1953 Rudy West and Dickie Smith left to
join the army and were replaced by Ulysses S. Hicks and Ramon Lopez. The
group briefly signed with Groove before moving to Capitol in 1954 and
hitting the charts again with their rocking Ling Ting Tong which crossed
over into the pop charts. The rest of the second
disc features the Groove sides and a selection of
their best Capitol recordings cut between 1954 and
'58 including tracks from their live LP. Doo-wop
at its finest with fine sound and informative
notes by Bob Fisher. (FS)
THE FIVE KEYS: Be Anything But Be Mine/ Can't Keep From
Crying/ Close Your Eyes/ Come Go My Bail Louise/ Darlin'/ Deep In My
Heart/ Do I Need You/ Emily Please/ From The Bottom Of My Heart/ Glory
Of Love, The/ Goin' Downtown/ Gypsy, The/ Handy Andy/ Hold Me/ How Do
You Expect Me To Get It/ How Long/ Hucklebuck With Jimmy/ I Cried For
You/ I Dreamt I Dwelt In Harlem/ I Hadn't Anyone 'Til You/ I Wish I'd
Never Learned To Read/ I'll Always Be In Love With You/ I'll Follow You/
I'm So High/ It's A Cryin' Shame/ It's Christmas Time/ Lawdy Miss Mary/
Let There Be You/ Ling Ting Tong/ Lonesome Old Story/ Love My Loving/
Mama (Your Daughter Told A Lie On Me)/ Mistakes/ My Love/ My Pigeons
Gone/ My Saddest Hour/ Oh Babe/ Old Macdonald (Had A Farm)/ One Great
Love/ Out Of Sight Out Of Mind/ Red Sails In The Sunset/ Rocking And
Crying Blues/ Serve Another Round/ She's The Most/ Someday Sweetheart/
Story Of Love/ Teardrops In Your Eyes/ There Ought To Be A Law/ These
Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)/ To Each His Own/ Too Late/ Verdict,
The/ When Will My Troubles End/ Who Do You Know In Heaven (That Made You
The Angel You Are)/ Why Oh Why/ Wisdom Of A Fool/ With A Broken Heart/
Yes Sir That's My Baby
|
THE FLAMINGOS |
Jasmine 554 |
Dream Of A Lifetime, 1953-1959 |
● CD $15.98 |
Two CDs, 50 tracks, very highly recommended
The
Flamingos were one of the greatest and most influential vocal groups of
the 50s and one of the few who continued to be a major force in the
1960s. This collection features both sides of every one of their singles
recorded between 1953 and 1959 for five different labels plus a
selection of LP sides, alternate takes and originally unissued
performances. The group underwent several changes over the period
represented here but the founders of the group, cousins Zeke & Jake
Carey were consistent except for a couple of years when Zeke was in the
army. The first CD features their earliest sides which were consistently
superb but not very successful - it wasn't until they recorded I'll Be
Home - a song about a soldier returning from the army that they had
their first hit and they followed it with several other hits and in 1959
had their biggest hit - a gorgeous funeral paced version of the pop
ballad I Only Have Eyes For You with a unique arrangement which
also became a big pop hit. All the 50s hits are here along with other
great songs like Some Day Someway/ That's My Desire/ Plan For Love/
Listen To My Plea/ Dream Of A Lifetime/ I'm Yours/ I Found A new Baby/
Need Your Love/ Shilly Dilly/ Would I Be Crying/ Chickie Um Bah/ When,
etc. Excellent sound and booklet has informative notes by Bob Fisher.
(FS)
|
AL GREEN |
Hi HEXD 57 |
The Legendary Albums, Vol. 1 |
● CD $25.98 |
The first of three double CD to reissue all twelve of
the great soul singer Al Green's studio albums. Originally issued
between 1969 and 1972 the four albums here - "Green Is Blues," "Al Green
gets Next To You," "Let's Stay Together," and "I'm Still In Love With
You" includes such hits as You Say It/ Right Now, Right Now/ I Can't
Get Next To You/ Tired Of Being Alone/ Let's Stay Together along
with classic non hits like How Can You Mend A Broken Heart and
Love And Happiness It also includes three bonus non-album b-sides
including his soul drenched cover of The Beatles' I Want To Hold Your
Hand. Includes booklet with extensive notes by Tony Rounce.
|
JIMMY HUGHES |
Kent CDKEND 331 |
Why Not TOnight? The Fame Recordings,
Volume 2 |
● CD $23.98 |
21 tracks, 52 mins, highly recommended
This second
volume of recordings from the Alabama soul man's years with Fame Records
(first volume: "Steal Away: The Early Fame Recordings", Kent 324 -
$23.98) contains his second album, "Why Not Tonight?," complete, plus
bonus tracks including three previously unissued masters. The second
part of a Kent CD trilogy, the disc features the 1966 hit Neighbor,
Neighbor (arranged by Ray "Ahab the Arab" Stevens) and the 1967 hit
Why Not Tonight, as well as tracks composed by the likes of Dan
Penn and Spooner Oldham, Huey Meaux, and Jerry Butler and Curtis
Mayfield, and Hughes himself. This is the last CD to cover Hughes time
recording for Fame mastermind Rick Hall; the next volume, "Something
Extra Special," will pick up with the 27 masters Hughes cut for Stax/
Volt. Until then, enjoy these exceptional slices of Muscle Shoals soul.
(GMC)
|
THE INK SPOTS |
King 0132 |
18 Greatest Hits |
● CD $7.98 |
18 tracks, 49 mins, recommended
Every house should have
a good Ink Spots collection and this is a good one to have. Nothing
fancy: this collection has minimal packaging, but maximum classic Ink
Spots tunes. This set features all of the tracks that the group recorded
for King/ Federal in the mid 1950's, 17 of which were released back
then, one track Doing, is making it's first appearance anywhere
on this collection. You get Melody Of Love/ Ebb Tide/ Don't Laugh At
Me, and many more Ink Spots classics. (JM)
|
LOU JOHNSON |
Kent CDKEND 333 |
Incomparable Soul Vocalist |
● CD $18.98 |
25 tracks, 72 mins, highly recommended
If silky voiced
soul man Lou Johnson is remembered at all it's for the fact that he
recorded the original versions of Reach Out For Me and
Kentucky Bluebird (Send a Message to Martha), which later became
hits for Dionne Warwick (the latter as Message to Michael). For
that reason, and because of his superior way with sophisticated
material, Johnson became known as the "male Dionne Warwick", but he was
much more than that as this superb compilation demonstrates. This
collection contains tracks Johnson recorded for the Big Top and Hilltop
labels-which had connections to Brill Building publisher Hill and
Range-between 1962 and 1967, seven of which were written by Burt
Bacharach and Hal David including the aforementioned songs as well as
(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me (hit covered in the
60's by Sandie Shaw and in the 80's by Naked Eyes). With six previously
unreleased tracks included to sweeten the pot, this is the definitive
collection by an underrated artist. (GMC)
|
LAURA LEE |
Edsel 2050 |
Women's Love Rights/ I Can't Make It
Alone/ Two Sides . |
● CD $19.98 |
A fine companion to our popular collection of Laura
Lee's Chess recordings (Chess 983-229) is this compilation containing
Lee's recordings for former Motown writers/producers
Holland/Dozier/Holland's Hot Wax and Invictus labels. Featuring the
complete albums (minus duplicated tracks on "I Can't Make It Alone")
plus bonus tracks, this 2 CD set of tracks cut between 1971 and 1974
present a necessary continuation of the Laura Lee story and are a must
for any true fan.
|
LITTLE ESTHER |
JSP JSPCD 4223 |
The Early Hits, 1949-1954 |
● CD $22.98 |
Two CD set featuring most of the recordings made between
1949 and 1954 by this superb and ill fated vocalist. 52 tracks ranging
from her first hits with the Johnny Otis Orchestra in 1949 when she was
only 13 years old through to numerous recordings for Federal and her
lesser known Decca sides. Most of her sessions featured members of the
Johnny Otis Orch. (George Washington, Pete Lewis, Mario Delagarde, etc.)
It includes duets with Mel Walker, Bobby Numm and Little Willie
Littlefield as well as tracks with vocal groups The Robins and The
Dominoes.
LITTLE ESTHER: Aged And Mellow Blues/ Better Beware/
Bring My Lovin’ Back To Me/ Cherry Wine/ Cryin’ And Singin’ The Blues/
Cupid’s Boogie/ Deceivin’ Blues/ Don’t Make A Fool Out Of Me/ Double
Crossing Blues/ Far Away Blues/ Flesh Blood And Bones/ Get Together
Blues/ Heart To Heart/ He’s A No Good Man/ Hold Me/ Hollerin’ And
Screamin’/ Hound Dog/ I Don’t Care/ I Dream/ I Paid My Dues/ If You Want
Me/ I’ll Be There/ I’m A Bad Bad Girl/ Just Can’t Get Free/ Last Laugh
Blues/ Looking For A Man/ Lost Dream Blues/ Love Oh Love/ Love Will
Break Your Heart For You/ Lover’s Lane Boogie/ Mainliner/ Misery/
Mistrustin’ Blues/ Other Lips Other Arms/ Please Don’t Send Me/ Ramblin’
Blues/ Ring-A-Ding-Doo/ Saturday Night Daddy/ Sit Back Down/ Somebody
New/ Stop Cryin’/ Street Lights/ Summertime/ Sweet Lips/ Talkin’ All Out
Of My Head/ Tell Him That I Need Him So/ The Crying Blues/ The Deacon
Moves In/ The Storm/ Turn The Lamps Down Low/ Wedding Boogie/ You Took
My Love Too Fast
|
GENE MUMFORD |
Official 9140 |
And The Dominoes - Including His Solo
Sides |
● CD $16.98 |
23 tracks, 58 mins, recommended
The third lead singer of
vocal group Billy Ward and His Dominoes (after Clyde McPhatter and
Jackie Wilson), Gene Mumford held that chair from 1957 to 1958, but
before that he led vocal group the Larks (1950 to 1955). However, this
CD is the first collection of Mumford's time with the Dominoes as well
as the solo sides he cut for Columbia and Liberty in the early 60's.
Mumford's arrival in the group signaled its transition from a "chitlin'
circuit" R&B act to a Las Vegas-style pop group, epitomized by the
Mumford-sung hits Star Dust and Deep Purple. This version
of the Dominoes also cut an LP in 1957, "Sea of Glass," some tracks of
which are included here. Those seeking the grit of McPhatter's Dominoes
or the sexy shouting of Wilson's Dominoes won't find any of that here;
this material is very much in the vein of the Platters-i.e. orchestrated
pop for the masses, albeit very well crafted and beautifully sung by
Mumford. The inspirational material - Swing Low Sweet Chariot/ Above
Jacob's Ladder-from "Sea of Glass" has a bit more verve, but still
slick enough as to not offend white sensibilities. Mumford's later solo
tracks are more of the same, but the one-off single he cut as Gene
Mumford & the Serenaders - Please Give Me One More Chance b/w
When You're Smiling - between membership in the Larks and the
Dominoes is a revelation; the type of up tempo R&B (on the A-side) and
glistening ballad (on the flip) that he should have been cutting all
along. Still, a great singer is a great singer, and this CD does show
that Gene Mumford did indeed have the goods. (GMC)
|
TONY OWENS |
Grapevine 3022 |
I Got Soul |
● CD $19.98 |
Tony Owens is an 'underground hero' who lived in the
shadows of the big names during soul music's golden age. Although his
name may be unknown to the masses and almost forgotten by many soul
fans, Owens is highly respected by real soul connoisseurs who rightly
consider him to be one of the great unknowns. Despite the fact that he
wasn't a prolific recording artist, having less than a dozen 45s issued
in a period of 24 years, Owens was a big attraction in his native city
of New Orleans and he built up a small but loyal following overseas,
particularly in Europe and Japan. This 22 track collection of classic
'60s and '70s soul from various small New Orleans labels features 4
previously unissued tracks. Includes I Got Soul/ Wishing, Waiting,
Hoping/ This Is My Prayer/ I Can't Lose, Parts 1 & 2/ One Man's Woman,
Another Man's Wife/ I Don't Want Nobody But My baby, etc.
|
LLOYD PRICE |
Jasmine 552 |
Restless Heart |
● CD $15.98 |
Two CD set with 57 tracks featuring both sides of all
his singles recorded between 1952 and 1959 for Specialty, his own KRC
label and ABC Paramount.
LLOYD PRICE: (You've Got) Personality/ Ain't It A
Shame/ Baby Don't Turn Your Back On Me/ Baby Please Come Home/ Breaking
My Heart (All Over Again)/ Chee Koo Baby/ Come Into My Heart/ Country
Boy Rock/ Down By The River/ For Love/ Forgive Me Clawdy/ Frog Legs/
Georgianna/ Gonna Let You Come Back Home/ Have You Ever Had The Blues/
Hello Little Girl/ How Many Times/ I Wish Your Picture Was You/ I Yi Yi
Comen-A-Sai (I'm Sorry)/ I'm Glad Glad/ I'm Gonna Get Married/ Is It
Really Love/ Jimmie Lee/ Just Because/ Lady Luck/ Lawdy Miss Clawdy/ Let
Me Come Home Baby/ Lonely Chair/ Lord Lord Amen/ Mailman Blues/ Mailman
Blues/ Never Let Me Go/ No If's - No And's/ No Limit To Love/ Oh Oh Oh/
Oo Ee Baby/ Oooh - Oooh - Oooh/ Question/ Restless Heart/ Rock `N' Roll
Dance/ So Long/ Stagger Lee/ Such A Mess/ Tell Me Pretty Baby/ The
Chicken And The Bop/ Three Little Pigs/ To Love And Be Loved/ Too Late
For Tears/ Trying To Find Someone To Love/ Walking The Track/ What's The
Matter Now/ Where Were You On Our Wedding Day/ Where You At/ Why/ Woe Ho
Ho/ Wont'cha Come Home/ You Need Love
|
OTIS REDDING |
Shout Factory 11619 |
Best: See & Hear |
● CD $19.98 |
CD 12 tracks, 33 min.; DVD 12 tracks 49 min., highly
recommended
It's as if they had to fade out every song because once Otis
Redding got worked up, there was no stopping him. But of course there
was. For anyone unfortunate enough not to own any of Otis Redding's
music, this collection is a perfect introduction, being as it is, some
of his finest performances, including The Dock Of The Bay/ Respect/
Try A Little Tenderness/ I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)/
Pain In My Heart, and 7 more. And for the rest, the DVD offers
12-tracks (some directed by D.A. Pennebaker of "Don't Look Back" fame)
from 1967 as visual proof that Redding was as compelling onstage as he
is through the speakers (or earbuds, as the case now stands). Included
is a performance of Booker T. & The MG's (Green Onions, and two
from Sam & Dave (When Something Is Wrong With My Baby and Hold On!
I'm Comin'). Seven cuts come from a performance in Oslo, Norway, and
the rest are from Monterey, CA. If anyone one ever asks you what soul
music is, direct them to Otis Redding. (JC)
|
THE SHIRELLES |
Ace CDCHD 1239 |
Swing The Most/ Hear And Now |
● CD $18.98 |
23 tracks, 55 mins, highly recommended
The
second-to-last CD in Ace Records' Shirelles re-issue program contains
these two albums from 1964, which contained some recycled singles and
previously canned tracks. The reason for these ad-hoc album releases is
due to the fact that the group was embroiled in a legal battle with
Scepter Records that prevented them from recording any new material
during 1964. The true reason for the release of these albums is unknown:
perhaps they were used to inaugurate the budget label that released
them, Pricewise; or perhaps this was label owner Florence Greenberg's
way of getting revenge on the girls for suing the label. Whatever, the
albums are not a total waste as they do have some gems, notably Why
Does Every Boy Remind Me Of You and Oh No, Not My Baby from
"Swing" and Make the Night a Little Longer and Only Time Will
Tell from "Hear". Not bad for a bunch of tracks that were released
as afterthoughts, these two albums are the last Shirelles LPs of studio
material. Next time comes the live album. (GMC)
|
THE SOLITAIRES |
Crystal Ball 1081 |
Still Walking Along |
● CD $17.98 |
The Solitaires were one of the top New York doo-wop
group in the mid/ late 50s best known for their hit Walking Along.
Lead singer on that hit was Milton LOve who has kept the Solitaires
vocal group active ever since though all the other original members are
long gone. These recordings are probably from the 90s and includes live
and studio recordings with group sounding fine on a selection original
songs, covers of doo-wop favorities and doo-wop renditions of pop
standards. Songs include Round Goes My Heart/ Blue Valentine/ Light A
Candle In The Chapel/ My Dear/ What Would You Say/ This I Swear/ What
Did She Say/ Chances I've Taken and more. As a bonus the set
includes Milton Love's first recording Candlelight from 1954 when
he was lead singer for The Concords.
|
CANDI STATON |
Honest Jon's 37 |
Who's Hurting Now |
● CD $10.98 |
Innovative label Honest Jon's has done much to
re-establish R&B vocalist Candi Staton in the world marketplace; by
re-issuing her long-unavailable recordings on Fame (Honest Jon's 6) and
releasing her first secular recordings in more than 20 years (the
critically acclaimed "His Hands," Honest Jon's 23), they have
single-handedly reminded the world of what was great about her
captivating vocals in the first place. Now comes her secular follow-up
to "His Hands" (in between there was another gospel album, "I Will Sing
My Praise to You" on Emtro Gospel), "Who's Hurting Now?," another
slow-burning Southern Soul mediation on love and loss. Recorded in
Nashville and featuring tracks written by Dan Penn and Mary Gauthier,
this CD was hailed by Mojo magazine as one of the best albums of 2009.
|
THE TRENIERS |
Bear Family BCD 16164 |
Rock |
● CD $24.98 |
The Treniers were led by twin brothers
Cliff and Claude Trenier and had been active since the 1940's playing
music that was a cross between swing and early rock 'n' roll, and
contained a thumping backbeat. Known for the humorous content in their
songs and on stage acrobatics, they were very much perceived as
precursors to the later rock and roll groups and were a big influence on
Bill Haley and His Comets. This 32 track collection brings together the
groups wildest numbers recorded between 1950 and '57 for London, OKeh
(including their 1951 Top Ten R&B hit Go, Go, Go), Epic, Vik and
Brunswick. Comes with 64 page copiously illustrated booklet.
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IKE & TINA TURNER |
Pegasus 083 |
Heroes Collection - 50 Classics Tracks |
● CD $7.98 |
2 CDs, 50 tracks, 158 mins, recommended
This is a nicely
priced wide-ranging collection of lesser-known (and compiled) tracks
from the great Ike & Tina. In fact the only really big song on this
collection would have to be It's Gonna Work Out Fine. The rest
ranges from slow, sultry blues numbers like Rock Me Baby/ It Sure
Ain't Me/ Honest I Do/ Sweet Black Angel, to barn stormers like
Shake A Tail Feather/ The Hunter/ Sugar Sugar, etc. Includes a few
great covers in addition to the Archies cut, like Sam Cooke's Good
Times, and Stevie Wonder's Living For The City. In general
this is going to appeal to Blues fans the most, with Ike's stinging
guitar work and Tina's down & dirty vocals. The sound quality on this is
the only thing holding back a higher recommendation; it's not bad
overall, but a few tracks have some issues. (JM)
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CHUCK WILLIS |
JSP JSPCD 2303 |
The Complete Chuck Willis, 1951-1957 |
● CD $24.98 |
Three CD set, 78 tracks, essential
This wonderful set
features the complete recorded output, in chronological order, of this oustanding R&B singer recorded between 1951 and 1957 who was poised for
major stardom when he died of a perforated ulcer in April, 1958. Chuck
was a great original with a very soulful voice and was a superb
songwriter - many of the songs he recorded were written or co-written by
him. He started his recording Career in 1951 first recording for
Columbia and then switching to their OKeh subsidiary. Most of these
sides find him to be an outstanding blues shouter of the Roy Brown/
Billy Wright school. Accompanied by top New York R & B sidemen like he
performs a selection of uptempo numbers like the great Let's Jump
Tonight/ Be Good or Be Gone and Loud Mouth Lucy, some
straight soulful blues like I Tried and You Know You Don't
Love Me and some bluesy ballads that point the way to his subsequent
Atlantic sides - I Can Tell & Need One More Chance. In
1956 he moved to Atlantic who sweetened his sound a little and Chuck
then crossed overto the pop market having big hits in 1957 and '58 with
his reworked versions of old blues favorites C.C. Rider and
Betty & Dupree. Chuck's tragic death in April 1958 left a great void
and in May of that year Atlantic released his first posthumous single -
the prophetic two sider Hang Up My Rock & Roll Shoes and What
Am I Living For.There are lots of other great titles from his
Atlantic period like the truly wonderful soul ballad It's Too Late,
the powerful Juanita (with vocal backup from The Cookies and some
very effective steel guitar) and lots more. In addition we get great
live performances of It's Too Late and What's You Name
from 1956 on the Alan Freed radio show. Sound quality is excellent but
notes by Bob Fisher are too brief. (FS)
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BOBBY WOMACK |
Metro 560 |
The Last Great Soul Man - Essential
Bobby Womack |
● CD $16.98 |
R&B legend Bobby Womack gets the deluxe compilation
treatment with this 2CD set collecting tracks from the '60s, '70's and
'80's. The set includes his signature songs It's All Over Now/
Lookin' For a Love/ Across 110th Street/ Nobody Wants You When You're
Down and Out, and I'm a Midnight Mover. It also includes his
cover of the Mama's and the Papa's California Dreaming that was
used in a U.K. advert.
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