Above - The April 1987 UK Seven x Double-Album VINYL BOX SET
(Originally Issued December 1985 in the USA)
Both Original Vinyl Box Sets (1985 and 1987) Had 186 Tracks
The Seven CDs in both countries however were Truncated Versions - Down to 163 Tracks
The UK CDs Volumes 1 to 7 also originally issued April 1987 (reissued October 1990)
Below - The October 1991 USA-ONLY 8CD 203-Track Upgraded Box Set (CD only)
Volume 8 was NEW over the 1985 7 x 2LP Vinyl Box Set and 1987 Truncated 7 x CDs
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Below: US October 1991 Volume 6
Newly Configured from the 1987 dates of 1966-1969 to 1965-1967
Was Not Issued Individually in the USA in 1991 or in the UK
Reissued However in UK/Europe in March 2006 in Different Artwork - see Next Set of Photos
Below: UK/EU March 2006 Reissue on Rhino/Warner Platinum
Each Volume (1 to 8) Was Released Individually only in UK/EU
There Was Also a Card Wrap Version that gathered up all Eight Volumes
All were Budget-Priced (usually £3.99) and used the 1991 Remasters
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"…When A Man Loves A Woman…"
Here in the spring of 2024 - this unassuming and admittedly rather naff-looking Soul CD compilation from Rhino and Warner Platinum has been in the UK and EUROPEAN budget-priced marketplace for almost the guts of 20-years. Issued back in March 2006 as Volume 6 of 8 – it was/is a bit-part showcase for the mighty Atlantic Records and their staggering Black Music Legacy. But don't let the cover fool you - what lies within is solid ***** material despite the no-star presentation.
In fact - none of the eight cheap-and-cheerful "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" reissue volumes look like much – garish big-lettered front cover art with a piddly gatefold-inlay inside that barely lists titles and artists and not much else. But (as I say) man oh man the music is fabulous. However, to understand what you have in hand and the journey as to how it got here requires some serious investigative history that is worth explaining (including the photos provided above). So, here goes…
The Seven x Double-Albums VINYL BOX SET for "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" was first issued in the USA in December 1985 on Atlantic 7-81620-1 and belatedly in the UK in April 1987 on Atlantic 781 620-1. Housed in distinctive black and red packaging (like their Fifties labels) - the individual 2LP sets inside each had unique artwork, extensive liner notes and were also issued as stand-alone 2LP sets. Sometimes sold outside of the box in the UK and Europe - the individual 2LP sets were Atlantic 781 293-1 (Volume 1), 781 294-1 (Volume 2), 781 295-1 (Volume 3), 781 296-1 (Volume 4), 781 297-1 (Volume 5), 781 298-1 (Volume 6) and 781 299-1 (Volume 7).
There were also 7 individual CDs issued in the UK in April 1987 (reissued Oct 1990) each with the above catalogue numbers but the code -2 instead of 1 for CD (781 293-2 etc). And despite some catalogues stating that Atlantic 781 292-2 was issued in April 1987 as a CD BOX - there was NO Original 12" x 12" box set for the CDs at that time - and worse - 6 of the 7 individual CD volumes had their track lists truncated - reducing 186 on the vinyl doubles by 17 to 163 in total on CD.
It then transpired that unspecified tracks across the whole seven-volume kaboodle had the wrong takes used. Atlantic USA decided to rectify this and reissued the entire box set again but with more tracks and only on CD. So, in October 1991 "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" was relaunched on Atlantic 7 82305-2 in the USA (Barcode 075678230523) - but this time as an 8CD 12" x 12" box set with 203 tracks (17 extra). The individual booklets that came with the original 7CDs were taken out (replaced with a simple gatefold track list inlays that used the old artwork) and expanded into a full-sized 36-page booklet inside the box. The reissue also used the distinctive black and red packaging of the 1985 vinyl box on the front, and the artwork style remained the same for each CD on the inside (collage photos). It also admitted that mistaken masters had been used on the original set but were now all correct. It was ONLY issued as an 8CD Box Set and ONLY in America.
In March 2006 in the UK and Europe however, these 8 Volumes were reissued as stand-alone CDs for the first time (no vinyl), but with different artwork (I have pictured both). They were also released without the booklets that accompanied the 1987 issues or the 1991 reissue box - just basic gatefold inlays.
Completists should also note - to add further salt to a reissue wound - there was a 255-Track JAPAN-ONLY issue of "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" on Warners/Atlantic WPCR-14441 released 25 May 2012 - again with different artwork - which added on 52 new tracks on 2 NEW BONUS DISCS. Chosen by noted Japanese expert Keishi Suzuki - the two extra CDs contained very rare Fifties Blues and R'n'B on Disc 9 and lesser-seen Soul Sides on Disc 10 - much of it unavailable elsewhere. Those two extra volumes are NOT available anywhere else and are exclusive to that Japanese anthology.
Back to the CD in hand. So, what you have here is an American-Based Box Set CD from 1991 subsequently issued 2006 in Europe as a stand-alone. For this review we concentrate on Volume 6 of 8. Here are the track-by-track details…
UK released 20 March 2006 - "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974: Volume 6 - 1965-1967" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhino/Warner Platinum 8122-77581-2 (Barcode 081227758127) breaks down as follows (74:44 minutes):
1. Teasin' You – WILLIE TEE (February 1965, US 45-Single on Atlantic 45-2273, A-side)
2. Get To Get You Off My Mind – SOLOMON BURKE (February 1965, US 45-Single on Atlantic 45-2276), A-side) *
3. I Want To (Do Everything For You) – JOE TEX (July 1965, US 45-Single on Dual 45-4016, A-side) *
4. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) – OTIS REDDING (April 1965, US 45-Single on Volt 45-126, A-side)
5. A Sweet Woman Like You – JOE TEX (November 1965, US 45-Single on Dual 45-4022, A-side) *
6. In The Midnight Hour – WILSON PICKETT (June 1965, US 45-Single on Atlantic 45-2289, A-side)
7. Seesaw – DON COVAY (September 1965, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2301, A-side)
8. Respect – OTIS REDDING (August 1965, US 45-single on Volt 45-128, A-side)
9. You Don't Know Like I Know – SAM & DAVE (November 1965, US 45-single on Stax S-180, A-side)
10. When A Man Loves A Woman – PERCY SLEDGE (March 1966, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2326, A-side)
11. 634-5789 (Soulsville U.S.A.) – WILSON PICKETT (January 1966, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2320, A-side) *
12. Hold On, I'm Comin' - SAM & DAVE (March 1966, US 45-single on Stax S-189, A-side)
13. Cool Jerk – THE CAPITOLS (March 1966, US 45-single on Karen 803K-1524, A-side)
14. Neighbor, Neighbor – JIMMY HUGHES (April 1966, US 45-single on Fame 45-1003, A-side)
15. Land Of 1000 Dances – WILSON PICKETT (July 1966, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2348, A-side)
16. Knock On Wood – EDDIE FLOYD (July 1966, US 45-single on Stax 45-194, A-side)
17. Try A Little Tenderness – OTIS REDDING (November 1966, US 45-single on Volt 45-141, A-side)
18. Mustang Sally – WILSON PICKETT (November 1966, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2365, A-side)
19. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby - SAM & DAVE (January 1967, US 45-single on Stax 45-210, A-side)
20. Sweet Soul Music – ARTHUR CONLEY (February 1967, US 45-single on Atco 45-6463, A-side)
21. I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You) – ARETHA FRANKLIN (February 1967, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2386, A-side - for B-side see Track 22)
22. Do Right Woman – Do Right Man – ARETHA FRANKLIN (February 1967, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2386, B-side of "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)")
23. Show Me – JOE TEX (February 1967, US 45-single on Dial 45-4055, A-side)
24. Tramp – OTIS REDDING & CARLA THOMAS (April 1967, US 45-single on Stax 45-216, A-side credited as OTIS and CARLA)
25. Funky Broadway – WILSON PICKETT (July 1967, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2430, A-side)
26. Hip Hug-Her – BOOKER T. & THE MG's (February 1967, US 45-single on Stax 45-211, A-side)
27. Soul Man – SAM & DAVE (August 1967, US 45-single on Stax S-231, A-side)
BONUS TRACKS:
* Tracks 2, 3, 5 and 11 are 1991 Bonus Tracks not on the 1987 version
Some had complained about the sound quality on the original 1987 CDs - as well as wrong versions of songs being used (personally I found the audio quality of the VINYL doubles to be superlative). So Atlantic made efforts with the 1991 CD reissue which of course has been used for these 2006 British reissues. The liner notes tell us that all tracks were "digitally remastered from mono and true stereo originals" and that "in this edition, the proper tracks have been used in all cases".
BOBBY WARNER and JIMMY DOUGLAS carried out the Digital Transfers while ZAL SCHREIBER and STEVE INNOCENZI did the mastering. The quality on these CDs is shockingly good - full of life and clarity. It's a joy to listen to. Sure in the decades since there have been reissues (by Bear Family especially) that knock spots off the 1991 sound offered here (try their "Joe Turner Rocks" or their "Sweet Soul Music" volumes 1961 to 1975). But what you do get is fantastic all the way to the finish. To the tunes for Volume 7…
Before The Queen of Soul began dominating American Soul when she signed to Atlantic Records and popped the absolute balls-to-the-wall debut album for the label "I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You" in March 1967 – this volume has the ascendancy of Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave and Percy Sledge tearing up the charts with a little dollop of Joe Tex thrown in – both R&B and Pop. Before we get to that, Volume 6 opens with a one-off from Willie Tee – the sexy shuffle of "Teasin' You" – a very cool start indeed to a CD compilation that barely lets the ball drop even once. The huge frame and lung-power of Solomon Burke is next up with his obsessional "Got To Get You Off My Mind" – a pleader that still has Coolsville oozing out of its twostepping pores (gorgeous audio too).
The naff and fey lyrics to the Joe Tex tune "Skinny Legs And All" on Volume 7 is thankfully avoided here on 6 with his excellent and mild-mannered "I Want To Do Everything For You" up first - followed a couple of tracks on with "A Sweet Woman Like You" – another soft Soul song showing his affectionate side and caressing vocals. Speaking of caressing – even now when the Otis Redding slow-burning torch ballad "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)" starts - it's painfully obvious where the real-deal Soul Power is residing this evening - kicking in the bedroom doors marked Passion Central. Sock it to me and shabby dresses follow with two huge numbers "Respect" and that London Bar Band get-the-crowd-going perennial "Try A Little Tenderness". I've never truly been convinced of the Otis and Carla combo song "Tramp", but I know others love a duet, especially if it's between two powerhouse singers, and Carla Thomas is one of those.
But the compilation takes off proper with the Wicked Pickett – possessed of a gravel larynx and tunes to match his hyper delivery (Good God Almighty!) – Wilson Pickett smashes through the lovey-dovey with some motorvatin Soul – eager to get to his girl and not for a fireside chat. Killer tunes like "In The Midnight Hour" and the telephone song "634-5789" still sound punchy, lithesome, and sexy to this day - nearly sixty years on. And how many Blues Brothers devotees have done The Watusi and the Long Tall Sally and the Boney Maronie to the fantastic "Land Of 1000 Dances" – na-na-na-na across the dancefloor as the brass and hip-shaking shimmy goes into a frenzy. Even now, it's rebel-rousing stuff - with Wilson Pickett's salacious life-affirming growl probably featured in every Frat-House High-School coming-of-age movie about getting it on that you've ever seen.
While The Bar-Kays get their instrumental vs. shouts moment with "Soul Finger" – the naff and fey lyrics in the Joe Tex tune "Skinny Legs And All" have not worn at all well over the decades – embarrassing really. Thankfully that momentary glitch is firmly kicked into touch with the gorgeous Wilson Pickett take on the Bobby Womack song "I'm In Love" – a genuine masterpiece and Soul discovery for those buying first time. Poignant and touching as the Otis Redding song might have been especially after his untimely and horrible passing - "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" has always felt weedy to me and not representative of his power (the Remaster is so clean and lovely though). Archie Bell gets his Drells guitar player to fall in during the infectious "Tighten Up" – a funky talker and words that became synonymous with late Sixties Soul. Better for me is the sweet Soul slink of "Slip Away" followed by the mid-tempo shuffler "Too Weak To Fight" – Clarence Carter being a huge fave of mine – two counts of top tunes – rasp and rolling vocals – the brass and groove so sexy.
A true monster of the Sixties Soul genre and emotion-evoker to this day – Percy Sledge has his big moment with "When A Man Loves A Woman" – the song so gut-wrenching musically and lyrically – they even named a movie after it. Speaking of cool movie inserts – The Capitols have their glory digitally polished on the fantastic dancer "Cool Jerk" – hit me with those eighty-eights! A truly corking tune and itself followed with another - the lesser-heard but Stones beloved Jimmy Hughes warning about busy-bodies and snoops behind curtains in "Neighbor, Neighbor". Sam & Dave, Don Covay and Eddie Floyd bring up the neck-jerk-until-you-need-a-lie-down rear with (in order) the shouter duet "Hold On I'm Comin'", the up and down of "See Saw" and think I'll knock, knock "Knock On Wood" – all with punchy as Hell audio.
The Wicked hits again with the chugging "Mustang Sally" and as if all of this wasn't enough and a rarity on this compilation – Aretha Franklin gets what must be in the Top 25 singles of all time – both A&B-sides. "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)" on the Plug Side backed-with the Dan Penn written masterpiece "Do Right Woman Do Right Man" on the flip. And it romps out with five more bona fide winners – including instrumental organ-boogie "Soul Limbo" from Booker T. & The MGs and another movie named after it song by Sam & Dave - "Soul Man". And of all the eight volumes - if you look up at the four bonuses and know your 60ts Soul - you will know these four are not just clever choices - but actual bonuses.
In 2024 and despite being technically deleted, you can get Volume 6 of 8 of Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974 (or any of the others) individually on popular auction sites often for less than four quid. But I would argue that such is the riches on offer across all eight volumes that you consider the big daddy - splashing out on that 1991 US LP-Sized 8CD Box Set with its full booklet and genuine sense of visual purpose. Set you back maybe £60 – but what a wow it is!
If the Big Bad 8-Disc Red and Black Box isn't in your budget purview and you want primo Sixties Soul, Rhythm and Blues, Funk and Rare Groove – then go for this individually released Volume 6 Thunderbuck Ram of a CD compilation (and get Volume 7 too while you are at it).
But I warn you – the need for the other six and booklet explanations will quickly manifest itself thereafter…
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