Rainbow Road: The Warner Bros. Recordings

• Artist: Arthur Alexander
• Rating:
• Release Date: April 26, 1994
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Rhythm & Blues

Review

Arthur Alexander was an artist whose importance and influence sadly outweighed his commercial success; while his first hit, 1961's "You Better Move On," immediately cemented his reputation as a major singer and songwriter in Southern soul-style, working with management who played up Alexander's country leanings at the expense of his blues-influenced vocal style had thrown his career into a tailspin by the end of the decade, despite having his songs covered by both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. In 1972, Alexander was signed to Warner Brothers, and cut an album and a handful of singles which he hoped would kick-start his performing career; sadly, Warners were unsure of how to promote an artist whose music had more to do with vintage southern soul of the mid-60s than the funkier sounds which were dominating the R&B charts. In 1994, not long after Alexander's untimely death, Warner Brothers released Rainbow Road: The Warner Bros. Recordings, which combined the lion's share of the 1972 album with several single sides, and this collection made clear that Alexander's little-heard album was nothing short of a masterpiece. Alexander's songs dealt with the home truths of love and life, such as the tortured tale of a busted marriage "In The Middle Of It All," "Go Home Girl"'s heartsick story of falling in love with your best friend's girl, and the impassioned gospel-style closer "Thank God He Came"; Alexander also had a real knack for choosing other folks' songs, especially the superb title cut, written by Dan Penn and Donnie Fritts, and "Burning Love," which he cut several months before Elvis Presley scored a hit with it. But the best reason to listen to this album is Arthur Alexander's vocals, which combine a smooth, soulful sound with a gritty and emphatic bluesy undertow which makes his songs of both joy and sorrow real and emphatic, and they dovetail brilliantly with the sweet-and-sour tones of producer Tommy Cogbill's session band. Rainbow Road: The Warner Bros. Recordings is a superb testament to Alexander's tremendous talents, and an album any fan of vintage soul will revel in. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Rainbow Road	Donnie Fritts, Dan Penn	Arthur Alexander	(3:25)
Down the Back Roads	Steve Cropper, Jackie Cook, Mary V. Williams	Arthur Alexander	(2:30)
I'm Comin' Home	Dennis Linde	Arthur Alexander	(1:57)
In the Middle of It All	Arthur Alexander	Arthur Alexander	(3:07)
Call Me Honey	Dennis Linde	Arthur Alexander	(2:19)
Lover Please	Billy Swan	Arthur Alexander	(2:46)
You Got Me Knockin'	Arthur Alexander, Thomas Cain, Ed Williams, Steve Hostak	Arthur Alexander	(5:08)
It Hurts to Want It So Bad	Steve Smith, Tim Smith, Charlie Feldman, Charles Veldman, Tim Smith	Arthur Alexander	(2:19)
Love's Where Life Begins	Arthur Alexander, Dale Ward	Arthur Alexander	(2:07)
Come Along with Me	Arthur Alexander, Donnie Fritts	Arthur Alexander	(2:43)
Burning Love	Dennis Linde	Arthur Alexander	(2:39)
Go Home Girl (Lyrics)	Arthur Alexander	Arthur Alexander	(2:44)
They'll Do It Everytime	Arthur Alexander, Thomas Cain	Arthur Alexander	(2:50)
Mr. John	Arthur Alexander, Thomas Cain	Arthur Alexander	(3:00)
Thank God He Came	Arthur Alexander, Donnie Fritts	Arthur Alexander	(2:54)

Credits

Bobby Emmons (Keyboards), Eddie Hinton (Guitar), Thomas Cain (Piano), Tommy Cogbill (Bass), Gene Chrisman (Drums), Hayword Bishop (Drums), Daniel Cooper (Liner Notes), Arthur Alexander (Vocals), Reggie Young (Guitar), Mike Leech (Bass), Shane Keister (Keyboards), Kenny Malone (Drums), Bobby Wood (Piano), Johnny Christopher (Guitar), Tommy Cogbill (Producer)