This Sony UK entry in the Original Albums Classics series contains five Boz Scaggs recordings; one of which is a true classic, two more which should be, and two more middling albums. These are the remastered versions of these recordings. The inarguable standout in the pack is the legendary Silk Degrees album from 1976, which includes, as bonus cuts, three live versions of tunes on the album's track list: "What Can I Say," It's Over," and "Jump Street." Two very important recordings in Scaggs' catalog that are included here both preceded Silk Degrees: Moments, issued in 1971, reveals (whether he admits it or not) Van Morrison's influence on the singer and songwriter. Scaggs is moving more directly into blue-eyed soul as evidenced by the stellar title cut, "We Were Always Sweethearts," and "Near You." Slow Dancer, issued in 1975, immediately preceded Silk Degrees and finds Scaggs digging deeper into the blue-eyed soul vein while actively seeking a bigger, more polished, and richer palette of sounds in his production. The tunes here somehow bridge the gap between the rootsier and grittier Morrison and the theatrical, sultry, groove master Isaac Hayes. Stand-out tracks include "You Make It So Hard (To Say No)," the title cut, and a killer cover of Allen Toussaint's "Hercules." The two albums issued after Silk Degrees, 1977's Down Two Then Left, and 1979's Middle Man (his last album for eight years), are slick disco and post-disco soul workouts with some rock tinges. While they are less successful than their monumental predecessor, they still contain more than their share of fine tunes, and as albums, are better appreciated in the 21st century than they were in the 20th. Stand-out tracks include "Still Fallin' for You," "Hollywood," and "1993" on the former, and "Jojo" and "Breakdown Dead Ahead" on the latter. In all, this Boz Scaggs entry in the Original Album Classics series is a fine value. ~ Thom Jurek / cduniverse.com
Digitally remastered and expanded edition. Gritty, Groovy And Gettin' It was the first of three album releases by Grammy award-winning songwriter David Porter, a singer before teaming up with Isaac Hayes to write songs including 'Soul Man', 'Hold On, I'm Comin' and 'When Something Is Wrong With My Baby' . Porter's debut album was released in the wake of Hayes massive success with Hot Buttered Soul. Although it was not as commercially successful, it proved that anything Hayes could do, David Porter could do as well, if not better, by taking mostly familiar Soul songs all personal favourites and rearranging (and sometimes extending) them creatively. The album gave Porter a Top 30 hit with 'Can't See You When I Want To' , a song he had recorded in very different form for Stax in the mid-60s. The rare earlier version is also included here, as one of five bonus songs, two of which have never been issued before. Recorded with many of the same musicians who played on Isaac Hayes best-selling albums, this album has never been reissued in the UK until now. ~ cdunverse.com
This live date, recorded in 1979, shows British blue-eyed soul vocalist Dusty Springfield at the height of her powers. Not only was Springfield's voice in top shape, but she had also achieved an iconic status as England's premiere diva (as the rapturous response of the audience indicates). Energetic, polished, and full of professional flair, LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL contains many of Springfield's best-known songs, including "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" and "Son of a Preacher Man." A stirring set. ... Full Description Filmed in 1979, this audio-visual package captures Britain's Dusty at the height of her powers, performing a show packed with her signature songs - and not a few delightful surprises - in the presence of royalty - HRH Princess Margaret, Countess Of Snowdon. Indeed, it would be no exaggeration to say that Dusty herself was also royalty, pop royalty. The convent school-educated, blue-eyed soul singer with the uniquely affecting, longing timbre inspired a fervour that is almost palpable throughout this historic concert, filmed for British television by Mike Mansfield, with several audience members invading the stage to get even closer to their heroine towards the end of the show. ~ cduniverse.com
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