“Sweet Soul Music – 31 Scorching Classics From 1964” by VARIOUS ARTSTS [Volume 4 of 15] (2008 Bear Family CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…I Just Kept On Saying…Oh No Not My Baby…"

Compilations like this live or die based on a few key ingredients - great track choices, properly remastered sound and all of it wrapped up in knowledgeable and (if you're lucky) sumptuous presentation. Well "Sweet Soul Music" wins on all counts - it really does. The entire series is gorgeous to look at and especially to listen to.

Released July 2008 in Germany, "Sweet Soul Music - 31 Scorching Classics From 1964" is on Bear Family BCD 16870 AS and is part of a 10-volume series stretching from 1961 to 1970 (I've reviewed 1965 and the second five in the series which were released in September 2009 - 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970). Each US-based yearly compilation comes in a 3-way foldout card digipak sleeve. The left flap pictures a 7" single in its label bag relevant to the year (1964 has "Needle In A Haystack” by The Velvelettes), the centre flap holds a 60 to 90 page oversized booklet that slips out so you can read it separately and the right flap a colour-themed CD that matches the outer packaging. As with the 16 titles in Bear Family's award-winning "Blowing The Fuse" CDs from 1945 to 1960, each spine in the "Sweet Soul Music" series also makes up a whole photo when placed alongside each other (a live shot of a singer leaning into an audience to make a handshake - I think it's Otis Redding). This 1964 issue has 88-pages in its booklet (yes 88!) with The Dixie Cups on the front sleeve and The Larks in dance mode on the inner flap - and it runs to a whopping 81:40 minutes.

TRACK CHOICES:
I raved about Dave "Daddy Cool" Booth's sequencing on the other editions - it's the same here. Proceedings open with the crystal clear Doo Wop intro to “What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am)” by The Tams which is followed by the zippy “brought you from the South” song “Gonna Send You Back To Georgia (A City Slick)” by Timmy Shaw. There’s a lot of middle-tempo tunes that are part Rhythm ‘n’ Blues and part Soul like the cool dancer “The Jerk” by The Larks and while B.B. King’s bar-band standard “Rock Me Baby” is pure Blues and Chuck Berry’s “No Particular Place To Go” is Rock ‘n’ Roll – both are welcome inclusions (the stereo on the Berry track in particular is fabulous). Genius choices include the lovely slow build of “Steal Away” by Jimmy Hughes, the Mink DeVille street shuffle of “Devil With A Blue Dress” by Shorty Long, the punchy James Brown funk of Willie Mitchell’s instrumental “20-75” and the sophisticated crooner vibe of Joe Hinton’s “Funny (How Time Slips Away)”.

Booth took his time with this - actually playing the set through - mixing in the famous with the obscure but in a new order - and the result is a truly satisfying listen rather than a patchy one. The compilation begins in January and in rough chronological order ends in December. Also, because of the extended playing time, there's usually only a one second space between each track, so it feels like you're listening to a jukebox of the time - or a good DJ cueing up song after song - seamlessly segueing one cool tune after another. And even the way-too-familiar tracks on here like "My Guy", "Dancing In The Street'" and "Under The Boardwalk" are sorted out by the next big plus...the beautifully clear sound...

THE SOUND:
Bear Family have gotten all the ORIGINAL master tapes from each record company (good Stereo preferred over Mono) and their resident expert JURGEN CRASSER has mastered them with care - the sound is GLORIOUS. The clarity on the sublime "On No Not My Baby" by Maxine Brown (lyrics above) is thrilling. The Acapella vocal intro to “Chapel Of Love” by The Dixie Cups is so squeaky clean as are the bass and brass parts that follow. It’s impressive stuff soundwise…

THE BOOKLET:
Like all the other issues I've covered, the booklet is to die for. The text for the songs begins on Page 4 and ends on Page 84, so there's very little wasted space. Each artist is pictured using quality publicity shots, the 7" single is usually sat beside that - and even if it isn't - the album it came off is - with most of it in colour. Each song then has a 2 to 3 page essay on its history with its title centred like a paper nametag inside a jukebox - a nice touch. Noted writer and soul lover BILL DAHL handles the liner notes with knowledgeable contributions from Colin Escott, Rudigar Ladwig & Bill Millar. And because the booklet allows Dahl to spread out on each song, the details come thick and fast - it's a fabulously entertaining and informative read.

Niggles – purists might say that as many as a third of the tracks on here have little to do with “Soul” and more to do with Pop, R&B and even Blues, but personally I like the way Booth blurs the lines and as a straight-through listen, it all works. Also the Motown-followed-by-Atlantic tracks are 'overplayed' for many of us, but again - and I can't emphasize this enough - 95% of these heard-too-often tracks are at least countered by their great sound - and if that's a complaint, I'll take it any day of the week.

To sum up - even though they're expensive as imports, I think once long-time collectors actually get their hands on even one of these compilations (no matter what the date) - they'll be irresistibly hooked. For the casual buyer just looking for a great one-stop account of Soul Music for a given year - "1964" is 'the' place to start.

After 35 years reissuing Blues, Doo Wop, Fifties Rhythm 'n' Blues, Sixties Pop and huge swathes of Country Music - this is Bear Family's first real foray into Soul Music - and personally I'm weak at the knees thinking about what they'll tackle next.

As you can tell, I'm properly taken aback - I cannot recommend these beautiful compilations enough. Well done to all involved...

Track List for 1964
(Label & Catalogue Number For The US 7" Single Follow The Title)

1. What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am) – THE TAMS (ABC-Paramount 10502)
2. Gonna Send You Back To Georgia (A City Slick) – TIMMY SHAW (Vocal Background by The Sternphones) (Audrey 010)
[Reissued on Wand 146]
3. Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um – MAJOR LANCE (Okeh 4-7187)
4. Who Do You Love – THE SAPHIRES (Swan S-4162)
5. Hi-Heel Sneakers – TOMMY TUCKER (Checker 1067)
6. The Way You Do The Things You Do – THE TEMPTATIONS (Gordy 7028)
7. The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss) – BETTY EVERETT (Vee Jay VJ-585)
8. Ain't Nothing You Can Do – BOBBY BLAND (DUKE 375)
9. Wish Someone Would Care – IRMA THOMAS (Imperial 66103)
10. Rock Me Baby - B.B. KING (Kent 393)
11. Chapel Of Love – THE DIXIE CUPS (Red Bird RB 10-001)
[Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Phil Spector]
12. My Guys – MARY WELLS (Motown 1056)
13. No Particular Place to Go – CHUCK BERRY (Chess 1898)
14. Steal Away – JIMMY HUGHES (Fame 6401)
15. Security – OTIS REDDING (Volt 117)
16. Devil With The Blue Dress – SHORTY LONG (Soul 35001)
17. Under The Boardwalk – THE DRIFTERS (Atlantic 2237)
18. Where Did Our Love Go – THE SUPREMES (Motown 1060)
19. 20-75 – WILLIE MITCHELL (Hi 2075)
20. Funny (How Time Slips Away) – JOE HINTON (Back Beat 543)
21. Out Of Sight – JAMES BROWN AND HIS ORCHESTRA (Smash S-1919)
22. Dancing In The Street – MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS (Gordy 7033)
23. That's How Strong My Love Is - O.V. WRIGHT (Goldwax 106)
24. Mercy, Mercy – DON COVAY & THE GOODTIMERS (Rosemart 801)
25. Baby I Need Your Loving – THE FOUR TOPS (Motown 1062)
26. I Had A Talk With My Man – MITTY COLLIER (Chess 1907)
27. I Can't Believe What You Say (For Seeing What You Do) – IKE AND TINA TURNER (Kent 402)
28. Price – SOLOMON BURKE (Atlantic 2259)
29. Oh No Not My Baby – MAXINE BROWN (Wand W 162)
30. The Jerk – THE LARKS (Money 106)
31. Needle In A Haystack – THE VELVETTES (V.I.P. Records V.I.P.-25007)

“Shades Of Mitty Collier – The Chess Singles 1961 – 1968” by MITTY COLLIER. A Review of the UK 2008 Kent Soul CD Compilation.

This review is part of my "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters Soul, Funk & Jazz Fusion" Download Book available to buy on Amazon to either your PC or Mac (it will download the Kindle software to read the book for free to your toolbar). Click on the link below to go my Author's Page for this and other related publications:

                       http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00LQKMC6I

"…I Gotta Get Away From It All…"

Released in June 2008 on Kent Soul CDKEND 301, "Shades Of Mitty Collier" is a 24-track UK CD compilation which will finally allow fans to sequence all 15 of US Chess 7" singles as follows (69:07 minutes):

1. I've Got Love b/w I Got To Get Away From It All
(Chess 1791 from June 1961, Tracks 24 and 23, A & B-sides)
2. Don't Let Her Take My Baby b/w I Dedicate My Life To You
(Chess 1814 from March 1962, Track 21, A-side only)
3. Miss Loneliness b/w My Babe
(Chess 1856 from June 1963, Tracks 20 and 22, A & B-sides)
4. I'm Your Part Time Love b/w Don’t You Forget It
(Chess 1871 from October 1963, Track 17, A-side only)
5. Pain b/w Let Them Talk
(Chess 1889 from March 1964, Track 19, B-side only)
6. I Had A Talk With My Man b/w Free Girl (In The Morning)
(Chess 1907 from October 1964, Track 18, A-side only)
7. No Faith, No Love b/w Together
(Chess 1918 from January 1965, Track 16, A-side only)
8. Come Back Baby b/w Ain't That Love
(Chess 1934 from March 1965, Track 15, B-side only)
9. Help Me b/w For My Man
(Chess 1942 from July 1965, Tracks 13 and 14, A & B-sides)
10. Sharing You b//w Walk Away
(Chess 1953 from March 1966, Tracks 11 and 12, A & B-sides)
11. My Party b/w I'm Satisfied
(Chess 1964 from July 1966, Tracks 9 and 10, A & B-sides)
12. (Looking' Out The Window) Watching And Waiting b/w Like Only Yesterday
(Chess 1987 from December 1966, Tracks 7 and 8, A & B-sides)
13. Do It With Confidence b/w You're The Only One
(Chess 2015 from July 1967, Tracks 5 and 6, A & B-sides)
14. Git Out b/w That'll Be Good Enough For Me
(Chess 2035 from December 1967, Tracks 3 and 4, A & B-sides)
15. Gotta Get Away From It All b/w Everybody Makes A Mistake Sometimes
(Chess 2050 from 1968, Tracks 1 and 2, A & B-sides)

This release will also allow you to sequence almost all of her lone album on the famous label entitled "Shades Of A Genius" which was issued in 1966 on Chess LP 1492.


Side 1:
1. Come Back Baby
2. I Had A Talk With My Man Last Night [18]
3. Would You Have Listened
4. Gotta Get Away From It All [23]
5. My Babe [20]
6. Hallelujah (I Love Him So)
Side 2:
1. Drown In My Own Tears
2. No Faith, No Love [16]
3. Together
4. Let Them Talk [19]
5. Little Miss Loneliness [22]
6. Ain't That Love [15]

Notes:
1. "I Got To Get Away From It All" on Chess 1791 is Version 1 (Track 23) while "Gotta Get Away From It All" is a remake on Chess 2050 which is Version 2 (Track 1)
2. Excepting "I'm Your Part Time Love", "I Had A Talk With My Man" and "Don't Let Her Take My Baby" (which are in MONO), all other tracks are in STEREO
3. As you can see from the two lists above there are 8 singles complete, but six sides are missing and 5 of the album tracks aren’t on here either. However, 4 of those single sides and 3 of the missing LP tracks are available elsewhere - on the 1999 Chess CD compilation called "Shades Of A Genius".

The booklet is the usual classy affair from Ace Records of the UK, a 16-page info-packed break down of her legacy by noted expert and soul lover TONY ROUNCE. Each single is pictured with label bags, there's the withdrawn sleeve of her lone album "Shades Of Mitty Collier" (featured another woman!) along with US trade magazine adverts. The CD itself apes the front page of the colour booklet while the inlay beneath the see-through tray features snaps of Pye International 7" demos and Chess Records adverts - all of it very nice touches.

Sound - it's been mastered by NICK ROBBINS and has had audio restoration work done by ROB SHREAD at Sound Mastering in the UK. The audio quality is superb given the vintage - the usual top job done by Ace.

Track highlights for me are the extraordinary torch ballad "Everybody Makes A Mistake Sometimes" (written by Lloyd Reese) - a B-side with the balls of an A. The cover of Ray Charles' "Ain't That Love" sounds like Barbara Lewis at her Atlantic best while the Northern Soul dancefloor favourite "My Babe" (a Little Walter cover) is a belter.

History tells us that like Florence Ballard at Motown (looked over for Diana Ross), Mitty Collier felt her releases were second fiddle in the promotion department to Chess's other killer singer - Etta James. Collier charted only 4 titles out of 15 across a near 8-year period, but Rounce also quite rightly notes that this also showed Leonard and Phil Chess' commitment to their artists - they stood by them - even in the dry patches. In the end perhaps Mitty Collier was too soulful for the public to take ("Like Only Yesterday") or the songs just weren't catchy enough for the charts to go crazy over ("My Party").

Still, at least we are left with this legacy of superb powerhouse soul tracks to enjoy. Ace is to be congratulated for this release – because once again, they deliver the goodies.

“Sweet Soul Music – 30 Scorching Classics From 1965” by VARIOUS ARTISTS [Volume 5 of 15] (2008 Bear Family CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…You Don’t Need No Baggage…You Just Get On Board…"

Compilations like this live or die based on a few key ingredients - great track choices, properly remastered sound and all of it wrapped up in knowledgeable and (if you're lucky) sumptuous presentation. Well "Sweet Soul Music" wins on all counts - it really does. The entire series is gorgeous to look at and especially to listen to.

Released July 2008 in Germany, "Sweet Soul Music - 30 Scorching Classics From 1965" is on Bear Family BCD 16871 AS and is part of a 10-volume series stretching from 1961 to 1970 (I've reviewed the second five in the series which were released in September 2009 – 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970). Each US-based yearly compilation comes in a 3-way foldout card digipak sleeve. The left flap pictures a 7" single in its label bag relevant to the year (1965 has "In The Midnight Hour” by Wilson Pickett), the centre flap holds a 60 to 90 page oversized booklet that slips out so you can read it separately and the right flap a colour-themed CD that matches the outer packaging. As with the 16 titles in Bear Family's award-winning "Blowing The Fuse" CDs from 1945 to 1960, each spine in the "Sweet Soul Music" series also makes up a whole photo when placed alongside each other (a live shot of a singer leaning into an audience to make a handshake - I think it's Otis Redding). This 1965 issue has 96-pages in its booklet (yes 96!), both Wilson Picket and Joe Tex in live mode grace the front sleeve and inner flap - and it runs to a generous 80:37 minutes.

TRACK CHOICES:
I raved about Dave "Daddy Cool" Booth's sequencing on the other editions - it's the same here. Proceedings open with joyful brass and vocals of “Voice Your Choice” which sounds like it was recorded yesterday and is followed by the finger-snapping Doo Wop-Soul of “The Boy From New York City” by The Ad Libs (a clever combo of openers). The slow churchy organ on Joe Tex’s “Hold What You’ve Got” now sounds fantastic too as do the bass and drums and plucked guitars of “Ride Your Pony” by Lee Dorsey. Genius choices would include Solomon Burke’s jaunty “Got To Get You Off My Mind” (a very cool tune) and the epic build up of “Oo Wee Baby, I Love You” by Fred Hughes which feels like Phil Spector at his 'getting-the-arrangements-right' best. Roy Head’s “Treat Her Right” is a top inclusion too. But the icing on the cake goes to “Think” by Jimmy McCracklin – an uptempo crossover blues shuffle with a soul twist and an absolute joy to listen to (a discovery if you haven’t heard it before).

Booth took his time with this - actually playing the set through - mixing in the famous with the obscure but in a new order - and the result is a truly satisfying listen rather than a patchy one. The compilation begins in January and in rough chronological order ends in December. Also, because of the extended playing time, there's usually only a one second space between each track, so it feels like you're listening to a jukebox of the time - or a good DJ cueing up song after song - seamlessly segueing one cool tune after another. And even the way-too-familiar tracks on here like "My Girl”, "Iko Iko'" and "The Tracks Of My Tears" are sorted out by the next big plus...the beautifully clear sound...

THE SOUND:
Bear Family have gotten all the ORIGINAL master tapes from each record company (good Stereo preferred over Mono) and their resident expert JURGEN CRASSER has mastered them with care - the sound is GLORIOUS. Little prepares you for the clarity on the timeless “People Get Ready” by The Impressions (lyrics above). I’ve heard Curtis Mayfield’s prophetic song sound good before because it was well recorded anyway, but I shocked the guys in the record shop by playing it as an example as to the sound on these discs – every instrument beautifully clear and warm. Faces dropped and veteran listeners were genuinely amazed.

THE BOOKLET:
Like all the other issues I've covered, the booklet is to die for. The text for the songs begins on Page 4 and ends on Page 89, so there's very little wasted space. Each artist is pictured using quality publicity shots, the 7" single is usually sat beside that - and even if it isn't - the album it came off is - with most of it in colour. Each song then has a 2 to 3 page essay on its history with its title centred like a paper nametag inside a jukebox - a nice touch. There’s no less that 4 full colour plates of Kin Weston from the same photo session at the end of the booklet – lovely stuff. Noted writer and soul lover BILL DAHL handles the liner notes with knowledgeable contributions from Colin Escott, Rudigar Ladwig & Bill Millar. And because the booklet allows Dahl to spread out on each song, the details come thick and fast - it's a fabulously entertaining and informative read.

Niggles – not all of it is an audiophile’s wet-dream – the recorded-in-a-bucket “Twine Time” is really rough, but worse, sounds out of place, “Boot-leg” is a good Booker T. instrumental but again seems superfluous to requirements especially with the far better “Shotgun” from Jr. Walker being on here too – and the Motown-followed-by-Atlantic tracks are perhaps 'too' familiar to many of us. But again – and I can’t emphasize this enough - 95% of these heard-too-often tracks are at least countered by their great sound - and if that's a complaint - I'll take it any day of the week.

To sum up - even though they're expensive as imports, I think once long-time collectors actually get their hands on even one of these compilations (no matter what the date) - they'll be irresistibly hooked. For the casual buyer just looking for a great one-stop account of Soul Music for a given year - "1965" is 'the' place to start.

After 35 years reissuing Blues, Doo Wop, Fifties Rhythm 'n' Blues, Sixties Pop and huge swathes of Country Music - this is Bear Family's first real foray into Soul Music - and personally I'm weak at the knees thinking about what they'll tackle next.

As you can tell (like the other reviewers here), I'm properly taken aback - I cannot recommend these beautiful compilations enough. Well done to all involved...

Track List for 1965
(Label & Catalogue Number For The US 7" Single Follow The Title)

1. Voice Your Choice – THE RADIANTS (Chess 1904)
2. The Boy From New York City – THE AD LIBS (Blue Cat BC-102)
3. Hold What You've Got – JOE TEX (Dial 4001)
4. Twine Time – ALVIN CASH & THE CRAWLERS (Mar-V-Lus 6002)
5. Don't Mess Up a Good Thing – FONTELLA BASS & BOBBY McCLURE WITH OLIVER SAIN AND ORCHESTRA (Checker 1097)
6. My Girl – THE TEMPTATIONS (Gordy G 7038)
7. Shotgun – JR. WALKER & THE ALL STARS (Soul S-35008)
8. People Get Ready – THE IMPRESSIONS (ABC-Paramount 10622)
[Written by and featuring Curtis Mayfield]
9. Got to Get You Off My Mind – SOLOMON BURKE (Atlantic 2276)
10. Iko Iko – THE DIXIE CUPS (Red Bird RB 10-024)
11. I'll Be Doggone – MARVIN GAYE (Tamla TM-54112)
12. The Entertainer – TONY CLARKE (Chess 1924)
13. Baby, I'm Yours – BARBARA LEWIS (Atlantic 2283)
14. Boot-Leg – BOOKER T. & THE MG’S (Stax S-169)
15. I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) – OTIS REDDING (Volt 126)
16. We're Gonna Make It – LITTLE MILTON (Checker 1105)
17. Back in My Arms Again – THE SUPREMES (Motown M 1075)
[Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland]
18. Oo Wee Baby, I Love You – FRED HUGHES (Vee Jay VJ-684)
19. I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – THE FOUR TOPS (Motown M-1076)
[Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland]
20. Ride Your Pony – LEE DORSEY (Amy 927)
21. In The Midnight Hour – WILSON PICKETT (Atlantic 2289)
22. Sitting in the Park – BILLY STEWART (Chess 1932)
23. The "In" Crowd – RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO (Argo 5506)
24. Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag Part 1 – JAMES BROWN AND THE FAMOUS FLAMES (King 5999)
25. The Tracks Of My Tears – THE MIRACLES (Tamla T-54118)
[Co-Written by and featuring Smokey Robinson]
26. Think – JIMMY McCRACKLIN (Imperial 66129)
27. Treat Her Right – ROY HEAD AND THE TRAITS (Back Beat 546)
28. Rescue Me – FONTELLA BASS (Checker 1120)
29. See Saw – DON COVAY & THE GOODTIMERS (Atlantic 2301)
30. Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While) – KIM WESTON (Gordy G-7046)

"Sweet Soul Music – 29 Scorching Classics From 1966" by VARIOUS ARTISTS [Volume 6 of 15] (2009 Bear Family CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Baby Scratch My Back..."

Compilations like this live or die based on a few key ingredients - great track choices, properly remastered sound and all of it wrapped up in knowledgeable and (if you're lucky) sumptuous presentation. Well "Sweet Soul Music" wins on all counts - it really does. The entire series is gorgeous to look at and especially to listen to.

Released September 2009 in Germany, "Sweet Soul Music - 29 Scorching Classics From 1966" is on Bear Family BCD 16971 AS and is part of a 10-volume series stretching from 1961 to 1970 (I've reviewed 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970). Each US-based yearly compilation comes in a 3-way foldout card digipak sleeve. The left flap pictures a 7" single in its label bag relevant to the year (1966 has "Knock On Wood" by Eddie Floyd), the centre flap holds a 60 to 90 page oversized booklet that slips out so you can read it separately and the right flap a colour-themed CD that matches the outer packaging. As with the 16 titles in Bear Family’s award-winning "Blowing The Fuse" CDs from 1945 to 1960, each spine in the "Sweet Soul Music" series also makes up a whole photo when placed alongside each other (a live shot of a singer leaning into an audience to make a handshake - I think it's Otis Redding). This 1966 issue has 88 pages in its booklet (yes 88!), The Supremes pictured on the front sleeve with the Stax Soulsville U.S.A. Studios on the inside flap and it runs to a generous 79:08 minutes.

TRACK CHOICES:
I raved about Dave "Daddy Cool" Booth's sequencing on the other editions - it's the same here – and possibly even better. Proceedings open with the oddly joyous sound of Marvin Gaye having his suspicions on “Ain’t That Peculiar” (Motown at its best) followed by Joe Tex quickly assuring us that Marvin and all stroppy men out there need to stop messing around and hold on to “…A Sweet Woman…”. Although not strictly Soul, the slinky blues shuffle of Slim Harpo’s “Baby Scratch My Back” is followed perfectly by Edwin Starr’s uptempo "S.O.S." song. Genius inclusions are the intense pleading of James Carr on “You’ve Got My Mind Messed Up” (real soul that’s thrilling to this day), the slightly sinister yet so enjoyable “Neighbor, Neighbor” by Jimmy Hughes and the rarely heard but lovely uptown vibe to Darrell Banks’ “Open The Door To Your Heart”. There’s also the rare and desirable Howard Tate track on Verve “Ain’t Nobody Home” which has a wicked organ break in it - and the drums and guitar on the lovely “I’m Gonna Miss You” by The Artistics are as clear as a bell too.

Booth took his time with this - actually playing the set through - mixing in the famous with the obscure but in a new order - and the result is a truly satisfying listen rather than a patchy one. Also, because of the extended playing time, there's usually only a one second space between each track, so it feels like you're listening to a jukebox of the time - or a good DJ cueing up song after song - seamlessly segueing one cool tune after another. And even the way-too-familiar tracks on here like "Uptight", “Hold On, I’m Comin’”, “When A Man Loves A Woman” and “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” are sorted out by the next big plus...the beautifully clear sound...

THE SOUND:
Bear Family have gotten all the ORIGINAL master tapes from each record company (good Stereo preferred over Mono) and their resident expert JURGEN CRASSER has mastered them with care - the sound is GLORIOUS. The clarity on the elegant Holland-Dozier-Holland song “Darling Baby” by The Elgins is fantastic, while “Cool Jerk” not only sounds huge on here, it’s the kind of party tune that never ceases to bring a smile to a face and an itch to the feet (lyric above). But the big one soundwise is two slow tracks - Lorraine Ellison’s “Stay” and Aaron Neville’s cover of the Allen Toussaint torch ballad “Tell It Like It Is”. Sounding absolutely incredible – and after so much relentlessly upbeat music, Ellison’s genuine vocal anguish on “Stay” comes both as a shock and a welcome change. Then there’s the clarity of all the instruments on “Tell It Like It Is” - surely the best it’s ever sounded.

THE BOOKLET:
Like all the other issues I’ve covered, the booklet is to die for. The text for the songs begins on Page 4 and ends on Page 83, so there's very little wasted space. Each artist is pictured using quality publicity shots, the 7" single is usually sat beside that - and even if it isn’t - the album it came off is – with most of it in colour. Each song then has a 2 to 3 page essay on its history with its title centred like a paper nametag inside a jukebox - a nice touch. Noted writer and soul lover BILL DAHL handles the liner notes with contributions from good names like Colin Escott, Martin Koppel & Bill Millar and both published sources & websites are named. And because the booklet allows Dahl to spread out on each song, the details come thick and fast - it's a fabulously entertaining and informative read.

Niggles – the Motown-followed-by-Atlantic tracks are perhaps ‘too’ familiar to many of us, but that is at least countered by the great sound – and if that’s a complaint – I’ll take it any day of the week.

To sum up - as with the 1967 and 1968 issues, this CD comes damn close to Soul perfection – it really does. And even though they're expensive as imports, I think once long-time collectors actually get their hands on even one of these - they'll be irresistibly hooked. For the casual buyer just looking for a great one-stop account of Soul Music for a given year - "1966" is 'the' place to start.

After 35 years reissuing Blues, Doo Wop, Fifties Rhythm ‘n’ Blues, Sixties Pop and huge swathes of Country Music - this is Bear Family’s first real foray into Soul Music – and personally I’m weak at the knees thinking about what they’ll tackle next.

As you can tell, I’m properly taken aback – I cannot recommend these beautiful compilations enough. Well done to all involved…

Track List for 1966
(Label & Catalogue Number For The US 7" Single Follow The Title)

1. Ain't That Peculiar – MARVIN GAYE (Tamla T-54122)
2. A Sweet Woman Like You – JOE TEX (Dial 4022)
3. Baby Scratch My Back – SLIM HARPO (Excello EX 2273)
4. Stop Her On Sight (S.O.S.) – EDWIN STARR (Ric-Tic RT-109)
5. Darling Baby – THE ELGINS (V.I.P. Records V.I.P. 25029)
[Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland]
6. Get Out Of My Life, Woman – LEE DORSEY (Amy 945)
[Written by Allen Toussaint]
7. Uptight (Everything's Alright) – STEVIE WONDER (Tamla T-54124)
8. Searching For My Love – BOBBY MOORE & THE RHYTHM ACES (Checker 1129)
9. 634-5789 (Soulsville U.S.A.) – WILSON PICKETT (Atlantic 2320)
[Written by Eddie Floyd & Steve Cropper]
10. This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You) – THE ISLEY BROTHERS (Tamla T-54128)
[Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland]
11. You've Got My Mind Messed Up – JAMES CARR (Goldwax 302) [Rare]
12. She Blew A Good Thing – THE POETS (Symbol 214)
13. Hold On, I'm Comin' – SAM & DAVE (Stax S-189)
[Sam & Dave are Sam Moore & Dave Prater; written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter]
14. Cool Jerk – THE CAPITOLS (Karen 1524)
15. When A Man Loves A Woman – PERCY SLEDGE (Atlantic 2326)
16. Barefootin' – ROBERT PARKER (Nola 721)
17. Neighbor, Neighbor – JIMMY HUGHES (Fame 1003)
18. Open The Door To Your Heart – DARRELL BANKS (Revilot RV-201)
19. Ain't Too Proud To Beg – THE TEMPTATIONS (Gordy G-7054)
[Written by Eddie Holland and Norman Whitfield]
20. Stay With Me – LORRAINE ELLISON (Warner Bros. 5850)
21. Ain't Nobody Home – HOWARD TATE (Verve VK-10420)
22. I'm Your Puppet - JAMES & BOBBY PURIFY (Bell Records BELL 648)
23. B-A-B-Y – CARLA THOMAS (Stax 195)
[Written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter]
24. Reach Out I'll Be There – THE FOUR TOPS (Motown M 1098)
[Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland]
25. Knock On Wood – EDDIE FLOYD (Stax 194)
[Written by Steve Cropper and Eddie Floyd]
26. I'm Gonna Miss You – THE ARTISTICS (Brunswick 55301)
27. But It's Alright - J.J. JACKSON (Calla 119)
28. Tell It Like It Is – AARON NEVILLE (Par Lo 101)
29. You Keep Me Hangin' On – THE SUPREMES (Motown M-1101)

“Sweet Soul Music – 30 Scorching Classics From 1967” by VARIOUS ARTISTS [Volume 7 of 15] (2009 Bear Family CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Sock It To Me!"

Compilations like this live or die based on a few key ingredients - great track choices, properly remastered sound and all of it wrapped up in knowledgeable and (sometimes if you’re lucky) sumptuous presentation. Well "Sweet Soul Music" wins on all counts - it really does. The entire series is gorgeous to look at and especially to listen to.

Released September 2009 in Germany, "Sweet Soul Music - 30 Scorching Classics From 1967" is on Bear Family BCD 16972 AS and is part of a 10-volume series stretching from 1961 to 1970 (I've reviewed 1968, 1969 and 1970). Each US-based yearly compilation comes in a 3-way foldout card digipak sleeve. The left flap pictures a 7" single in its label bag relevant to the year (1967 has "Sweet Soul Music" by Arthur Conley), the centre flap holds a 60 to 90 page oversized booklet that slips out so you can read it separately and the right flap a colour-themed CD that matches the outer packaging. As with the 16 titles in their award-winning "Blowing The Fuse" CDs from 1945 to 1960, each spine in the "Sweet Soul Music" series also makes up a whole photo when placed alongside each other (a live shot of a singer leaning into an audience to make a handshake - I think it's Otis Redding). This 1967 issue has 96 pages in its booklet (yes 96!), James Brown & The Famous Flames on the front sleeve with Stax Studio Session Players (mostly Booker T. & The M.G.’s) pictured inside and runs to a whopping 81:54 minutes.

TRACK CHOICES:
I raved about Dave "Daddy Cool" Booth's sequencing on the other editions - it's the same here. Proceedings open with a very clever coupling of two lesser-heard originals – the mid-tempo Freddie Scott gem “Are You Lonely For Me” (later covered by Chuck Jackson) which is quickly followed by a live jazz instrumental with a soulful twist by ‘Cannonball’ Adderley called “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” (January 1967). It was written by his pianist Joe Zawinul (who later formed Weather Report) and then made a hit two more times that year – 1st by Larry Williams and Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson who wrote lyrics to it in March 1967 and then again in the summer by the pop group The Buckinghams. In fact the theme of ‘better’ originals over the more famous covers permeates throughout the whole year. You get the truly fantastic funk-soul of “Some Kind Of Wonderful” by Soul Brothers Six which was made a huge hit by Grand Funk (Railroad) in December 1974 on Capitol and Rodger Collin’s stunning original of “She’s Looking Good” which Wilson Picket aped almost note for note and scream by scream.

Genius inclusions are the irresistibly upbeat “Girls Are Out To Get You” by The Fascinations (a lovely lead vocal by Bernadine Smith on a Curtis Mayfield penned song) and Bettye Swann’s truly gorgeous “Make Me Yours” – as sweet a soul ballad as you’ve ever heard. There’s a gospel organ backbeat to Toussaint McCall’s beautiful “Nothing Takes The Place Of You” and dancefloor-filler funk vibe to Syl Johnson’s “Come On Sock It To Me” – another cool choice.

Booth took his time with this - actually playing the set through - mixing in the famous with the obscure but in a new order - and the result is a truly satisfying listen rather than a patchy one. Also, because of the extended playing time, there's usually only a one second space between each track, so it feels like you're listening to a jukebox of the time - or a good DJ cueing up song after song - seamlessly segueing one cool tune after another. And even the way-too-familiar tracks on here like "Sweet Soul Music” by Arthur Conley and “Jimmy Mack” by Martha & The Vandellas are sorted out by the next big plus...the beautifully clear sound...

THE SOUND:
Bear Family have gotten all the ORIGINAL master tapes from each record company (good Stereo preferred over Mono) and their resident expert JURGEN CRASSER has mastered them with care - the sound is GLORIOUS. I often found that Rhino sets (good as they were) trebled up everything - here it's a much warmer feel and the clarity is fab. The clarity of the vocals and vibe playing on “Hypnotized” by Linda Jones is incredible and even something as overplayed as Erma Franklin’s “Piece Of My Heart” now sounds just huge. In short - track after track just blows you away...

THE BOOKLET:
The booklet is to die for. The text for the songs begins on Page 4 and ends on Page 91, so there's very little wasted space. Each artist is pictured, the 7" single beside it and even the album it came off (most of it in colour). The titles are centred in each review like a paper nametag inside a jukebox - a nice touch. Noted writer and soul lover BILL DAHL handles the liner notes (with contributions from good names like Colin Escott, Martin Koppel & Bill Millar and both published sources & websites named) and because the booklet allows him to spread out on each song, the details come thick and fast - it's a fabulously entertaining and informative read.

Niggles – there was a penchant for ‘insult’ songs that year – “Tramp”, “Skinny Legs & All” and “Dirty Man” – none of which I like - and then there’s the familiar to the point of being painful - “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough:” and “Higher And Higher” which have been done to death in so many rom-coms that it’s hard to ever listen to them again. I would have preferred “New Year's Resolution” by Otis Redding & Carla Thomas and “Two Can Have A Party” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – but these are purely personal choices – others may welcome the inclusion of the bigger hits instead...

To sum up – as with 1968, this CD comes damn close to Soul perfection. And I know as imports, they're expensive, but I think once long-time collectors actually get their hands on even one - they'll be hooked. For the casual buyer just looking for a great one-stop account of Soul Music for a given year – “1967” is ‘the’ place to start.

Bear Family does it again folks. Fabulous stuff - and wholeheartedly recommended.

Track List for 1967
(Label & Catalogue Number For The US 7" Single Follow The Title)

1. Are You Lonely For Me – FREDDIE SCOTT (Shout S-207)
2. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy – ‘CANNONBALL’ ADDERLEY (Capitol 5798)
3. Funky Broadway Part 1 - DYKE & THE BLAZERS (Artco 101)
[Re-issued shortly afterwards on Original Sound Records 05-64 which charted)
4. Girls Are Out To Get You – THE FASCINATIONS (Mayfield 7714)
5. Sweet Soul Music – ARTHUR CONLEY (Atco 6463)
6. Nothing Takes The Place Of You – TOUSSAINT McCALL (Ronn Records Ronn 3)
7. Jimmy Mack - MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS ((Gordy G-7058)
8. She's Looking Good – RODGER COLLINS (Galaxy 750)
9. Eight Men, Four Women – O.V. WRIGHT (Back Beat 580)
10. Tramp - OTIS REDDING & CARLA THOMAS (Stax S-216)
11. Ain't No Mountain High Enough – MARVIN GAYE & TAMMI TERRELL (Tamla T-54149)
12. Respect – ARETHA FRANKLIN (Atlantic 2403)
13. Make Me Yours – BETTYE SWANN (Money 126)
14. Baby Please Come Back Home – J. J. BARNES (Groovesville GV 1006)
15. Soul Finger – BAR-KAYS (Volt 148)
16. I Was Made To Love Her – STEVIE WONDER (Tamla T-54151)
17. Some Kind Of Wonderful – SOUL BROTHERS SIX (Atlantic 2406)
[Later covered & charted by Grand Funk (Railroad) on Capitol 4002 in 1974)
18. Hypnotized – LINDA JONES (Loma 2070)
19. Come On Sock It To Me – SYL JOHNSON (Twilight 100)
20. (I Wanna) Testify – THE PARLIAMENTS (Revilot RV 207)
[Features George Clinton of Parliament and Funkadelic/Backing Group is The Holidays]
21. Cold Sweat Part 1 - JAMES BROWN & THE FAMOUS FLAMES (King 6110)
22. Get On Up – THE ESQUIRES (Bunky 7750)
23. (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher – JACKIE WILSON (Brunswick 55336)
24. Dirty Man – LAURA LEE (Chess 2013)
25. Expressway To Your Heart – SOUL SURVIVORS (Crimson CR-1010)
26. Soul Man – SAM & DAVE (Stax 231)
[Written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter]
27. I Heard It Through The Grapevine – GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (Soul S-35039)
28. Piece Of My Heart – ERMA FRANKLIN (Shout S-221)
29. Skinny Legs And All – JOE TEX (Dial 4063)
30. Tell Mama – ETTA JAMES (Cadet 5578)