The Best of Solomon Burke [Atlantic]

• Artist: Solomon Burke
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1965
• Total Time: 53:21
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Rhythm & Blues

Review

Solomon Burke built his reputation on these early Atlantic sides, which were corralled by the label for an early greatest-hits collection that father time and a slew of CD compilations have made obsolete. Burke was the epitome of Southern soul up north, as is evident on "Got to Get You off My Mind," a bluesy shuffler with a southern-drawl tempo. A cover of Wilson Pickett's "'If You Need Me" brought comparisons galore between the two soul singers; after years of listening, it's still impossible to pick a clear-cut favorite and the Pickett-or-Burke debate goes on. "Cry to Me" established the paradigm for Southern soul ballads and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," a jump with '50s R&B genes, remains the most popular song in the singer/preacher's repertoire; he even managed to squeeze it in on Emeril Lagasse's cooking show. Even if you're turntable-challenged, this is still a great LP to find at flea markets, Goodwill stores, oldie stores, or somebody's attic. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
It's All Right [*]	Solomon Burke, Dolores Burke	Solomon Burke	(2:27)
This Little Ring [*]	Solomon Burke, Marvin Chivian	Solomon Burke	(2:32)
Just Out of Reach	Virgil Stewart	Solomon Burke	(2:46)
Cry to Me	Bert Russell	Solomon Burke	(2:32)
Down in the Valley	Solomon Burke, Bert Berns	Solomon Burke	(2:34)
I'm Hanging up My Heart for You	Don Covay, John Berry	Solomon Burke	(3:05)
Baby (I Wanna Be Loved) [*]	Bert Berns, Mickey Lane	Solomon Burke	(2:07)
I Really Don't Want to Know	Don Robertson, Howard Barnes	Solomon Burke	(2:58)
Home in Your Heart	Otis Blackwell, Winfield Scott	Solomon Burke	(2:07)
Words	Solomon Burke	Solomon Burke	(2:23)
Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye) [*]	Wes Farrell, Bert Russell	Solomon Burke	(3:10)
If You Need Me	Wilson Pickett, Sonny Sanders, Robert Bateman	Solomon Burke	(2:30)
Someone to Love Me [*]	Solomon Burke	Solomon Burke	(3:02)
Everybody Needs Somebody to Love	Solomon Burke, Jerry Wexler, Bert Russell	Solomon Burke	(2:46)
The Price	Solomon Burke, J.B. Moore	Solomon Burke	(2:44)
Got to Get You off My Mind	Solomon Burke, J.B. Moore, Dolores Burke	Solomon Burke	(2:32)
Tonight's the Night	Solomon Burke, Don Covay	Solomon Burke	(2:46)
Someone Is Watching [*]	Solomon Burke, Eddie Floyd, Alvertis Isbell	Solomon Burke	(2:50)
It's Been a Change [*]	Roebuck "Pops" Staples	Solomon Burke	(2:09)
Keep a Light in the Window [*]	James W. Alexander	Solomon Burke	(3:21)

Credits

Solomon Burke (Vocals), Solomon Burke (Main Performer), Bert Berns (Producer), Tom Dowd (Engineer), Phil Iehle (Engineer), Bob Porter (Producer), Jerry Wexler (Producer), Bob Altshuler (Liner Notes), Loring Eutemey (Artwork)