8,232 Reviews
3,178 Visits Today
16,044,674 Visits So Far
This site uses
HTML5 & CSS3
We support
Mozilla Firefox
 

Record Reviews

Search

3 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.

BOOKER T. & THE MG`S ~ ORIGINAL ALBUM SERIES
RHINO 081227972547 (Barcode: 081227972547) ~ USA ~ Pop & Rock

Recorded: 1962 - 1968 Released: 2012

This Box Set collects five early albums by American instrumental quartet Booker T. & The MG`sFind albums by this artist, which originally consisted of keyboardist Booker T. JonesFind albums by this artist, guitarist Steve CropperFind albums by this artist, bassist Lewie SteinbergFind albums by this artist and drummer Al Jackson, Jr.Find albums by this artist In 1965 Steinberg was replaced by Donald DunnFind albums by this artist and that lineup lasted until Jackson´s death in 1975. The quartet was the house band for StaxFind albums on this label Records and as such appeared on countless classic Soul albums in the 1960s and 1970s. In parallel they released instrumental albums as a quartet, which combined Funk, Soul, Rhythm And Blues and early Jazz-Rock Fusion. The albums included here are their first five studio recordings (except for a Xmas album) released originally between 1962 and 1968.

The music includes some original compositions by the group members, but mostly covers of (then) contemporary Pop / Soul material, skillfully arranged by the group, with some absolutely classic riffs and moves, which are sadly rarely heard today. The cheesy organ sound of the first albums is so ridiculous, that it is a beauty of its own and a trademark of the time.

Some fifty years after this music was recorded it is still a great fun to listen to, notwithstanding the guilty nostalgic feeling of times long gone. The group was so tight and professional that anything they played sounded smooth and funky, making you stand up and dance. These are immortal qualities, which keep this music alive and kicking.

For young listeners and musicians this is a superb example of what great music is made off, and therefore a valuable lesson to be learned by all. As these albums clearly show, very limited resources, simple straightforward arrangements and a lot of talent are enough to create great music. Highly recommended!
Side Note
The "Original Album SeriesFind albums with this title" by Warner Bros.Find albums on this label, the "Original Album ClassicsFind albums with this title" by SonyFind albums on this label, the "5 Original AlbumsFind albums with this title" by UniversalFind albums on this label, the Box Sets by RhinoFind albums on this label and other similar releases are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard for the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires as to treat our Cultural Legacy with respect and loyalty.

The Box Sets produced under these monikers have no discographical information whatsoever about the lineups, musician names, composers, lyricists, dates and places of recording, original release data and even basic copyright data (the last is strictly illegal BTW). Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, they are often edited and information (which would be in most cases too small to be readable) is removed. Most importantly these Box Sets don't include any booklet offering a historical background and perspective about the Artists and the Music, which are extremely important and vital to the preservation of our Culture and passing the knowledge to the next generations.

In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap. Considering the fact how many times this music has been sold over and over again by the labels, this is a crying shame!
Updated: 05/04/2024Posted: CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

RITA COOLIDGE ~ RITA COOLIDGE / NICE FEELIN`
BGO 0846 (Barcode: 5017261208460) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock

Recorded: 1971 Released: 2009

This is a reissue of the first two albums by American Rock vocalist Rita CoolidgeFind albums by this artist, both released in 1971. Together the twofer presents twenty wonderful songs written for her by the best songwriters of the period and she is accompanied by a stellar lineup which includes keyboardists Leon RussellFind albums by this artist and Booker T. JonesFind albums by this artist, guitarists Spooner OldhamFind albums by this artist, Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist, Marc BennoFind albums by this artist and Clarence WhiteFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris EthridgeFind albums by this artist, drummer Jim KeltnerFind albums by this artist and many others, as well as brass and string sections.

Coolidge was discovered by the team Delaney & BonnieFind albums by this artist and very quickly became a permanent part of the American Rock scene singing backing vocals on countless classic Rock albums by Leon Russell, Joe CockerFind albums by this artist, Graham NashFind albums by this artist, Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist, Bob DylanFind albums by this artist, Stephen Stills and many others. She was blessed by a wonderfully expressive voice and a superb feeling for Soul / Rhythm And Blues / Rock, which she expressed both as a backing vocalist and a lead singer.

This reissue is a wonderful reminder of these wonderful days when American Rock was most productive and capable of creating lasting music. Although Coolidge enjoyed a successful career in the years that followed these two early albums and her work with the a.m. artists are for me the pinnacle of her artistic achievements.

Overall this is a great glimpse at the days when everything sounded better, looked nicer and tasted sweeter then ever. An absolute Classic Rock bonanza!
Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 20/09/2020CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

BILL WITHERS ~ THE COMPLETE SUSSEX AND COLUMBIA ALBUMS
SONY 886978946720 (Barcode: 886978946720) ~ USA ~ Classic Pop

Recorded: 1971 - 1985 Released: 2012

Although sadly almost forgotten today, American singer / songwriter Bill WithersFind albums by this artist was one of the great heroes of the Soul scene throughout the 1970s. His illustrious, but relatively short career included many successful chart hits and Grammy Awards (both nominations and winnings), ending with him slowly disappearing from the limelight, for reasons not completely clear, especially since his enormous talent remains obviously unexhausted. Withers recorded four albums for the SussexFind albums on this label label (including the live recording of his Carnegie Hall concert) and another four albums for ColumbiaFind albums on this label, all during the 1970s. Then, after an almost six years break his last album was recorded in 1985, also for Columbia. All these nine albums are included in this Box Set.

Withers was an absolutely unique voice of his generation and in many respects he was more important than most of his contemporaries. He managed to compose sublime melodies and write intelligent, meaningful and touching lyrics and then perform them masterfully, like almost no other Soul artist of his generation. Deeply rooted in Blues and Gospel, his particular brand of Soul, mixed with early Funk, was absolutely marvelous and way ahead of its time. He recorded with excellent musicians, like keyboardist Booker T. JonesFind albums by this artist, guitarist Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist and drummer Jim KeltnerFind albums by this artist, who played on his debut album and later with members of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm BandFind albums by this artist: keyboardist Ray JacksonFind albums by this artist, guitarist Benorce BlackmonFind albums by this artist, bassist Melvin DunlapFind albums by this artist and drummer James GadsonFind albums by this artist, who played on the remaining Sussex albums. Following his move to Columbia, he was accompanied by many of the great Funk and Jazz musicians on the label´s roster.

The music and the subject matter of Withers´ songs lost absolutely nothing of their value and meaning over time. Struggle with loss, addiction, social injustice, pains of heart and other deeply personal subjects, which Withers manages to capture precisely and in a few words, are closer to poetry than simple songs´ lyrics and combined with the sublime melodies are true masterpieces of songwriting. Considering the fact that songs of such quality are rarely created today, these gems become even more precious.

Remastered and mini-sleeved, this Box Set is an excellent tribute to a great Afro-American troubadour, who should not be forgotten and who still has so much to offer today. This is an exceptional addition to any serious music collection.
Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: CD 9 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

This site was designed and developed by Adam Baruch. All content (texts, photographs, graphics, sound files, etc.) on this web site © 2001-2025 Adam Baruch / Jazzis Ltd.