With a recording career spanning more than six decades, William Bell stands among the enduring voices of Southern soul. A vital part of Memphis’ legendary Stax Records throughout virtually the label’s entire 15-year existence, from 1960 to 1975, Bell helped create some of the era’s most memorable music, both as a songwriter and performer.
His remarkable catalogue includes his Stax debut, the timeless “You Don’t Miss Your Water,” the blues classic “Born Under a Bad Sign,” and “Private Number,” his hugely popular duet with Judy Clay. Now, Ace Records shines a spotlight on the first chapter of Bell’s Stax legacy with Never Like This Before, the first of two CD collections bringing together the A- and B-sides of his solo singles for the label.
Covering the first seven years of his Stax recording career, the collection gathers all 14 singles released on the label’s original blue-label design featuring its distinctive ‘Stack Of Records’ logo. Alongside “You Don’t Miss Your Water,” highlights include the much-loved seasonal favourite “Every Day Will Be Like A Holiday” and “A Tribute To A King,” Bell’s heartfelt musical salute to his recently departed Stax labelmate Otis Redding.
The recordings capture the unmistakable sound of the Stax house band, with members of Booker T. & the M.G.’s and the Memphis Horns providing the musical foundation. Their arrangements and performances bring the perfect combination of grit, groove and emotional depth to Bell’s soulful vocals.
Presented in release-date sequence, Never Like This Before also features an illustrated booklet with extensive annotation, making it both an enjoyable listening experience and a valuable document of an important period in Southern soul history.
Ace Records has represented Bell’s Stax catalogue in the UK for decades, issuing original albums and various compilations. This new collection offers a particularly comprehensive look at his early singles, celebrating the records that helped establish him as one of the great voices of Memphis soul.
Remarkably, Bell was still performing many of these songs live at the age of 82, demonstrating that the voice and feeling behind these classics had lost none of their power. The second collection, covering his later ‘Yellow’ Stax-label years from 1968 to 1974, was announced as a forthcoming companion release.
For fans of William Bell, Stax and classic Southern soul, Never Like This Before is an essential celebration of a truly remarkable musical legacy.
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