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Tribute to Rhythm and Blues, Vols. 1-2

 
Album Review: Tribute to Rhythm and Blues, Vols. 1-2

  • Artist: Chuck Jackson
  • Rating: StarStarStarStarHalf Star
  • Release Date: 1966
  • Type: Compilation (best of)
  • Genre: Rhythm & Blues

Review

In 1966, Chuck Jackson cut a pair of albums that marked a genuine departure from the polished pop-soul production style of his best-known work. Setting up in the studio with his road band (led by saxman Bobby Scott), Jackson and company knocked out simple but passionate versions of a handful of major R&B hits "as we pay tribute to the great ones in the rhythm and blues field -- not to copy, just to tribute," as he says in his spoken introduction to the first album. The two albums, believed by fans to have been cut at the same time, are paired up on this two-fer CD release, and they reveal a usually hidden side of Jackson's music. While Jackson sounded like a smooth, mannered professional on many of his hits, in this context he allows himself to loosen up a bit, and the results show off a grittier and harder-edged side of his musical personality, with Jackson adding some sorrowful corners to his Lee Dorsey covers and putting his heart and soul into Sam Cooke's epochal "A Change Is Gonna Come." (It's also unexpectedly amusing to hear him sing Gary "U.S." Bonds' party anthem "Quarter to Three" and realize he either didn't know the song's real lyrics or just didn't care to sing them.) The uptempo medley of soul hits that kicks off the second volume suggests that these albums were meant to capture the energy and emotion of Jackson's live show in the studio, and while this isn't as revelatory as Sam Cooke's One Night Stand: Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963, it does demonstrate that Jackson's hit singles didn't represent the beginning and end of his musical vision. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Theme to the Blues Chuck Jackson, Bobby Scott Chuck Jackson (2:42)
You Don't Know Like I Know Isaac Hayes, David Porter Chuck Jackson (3:36)
A Change Is Gonna Come Sam Cooke Chuck Jackson (2:26)
Get Out of My Life, Woman Allen Toussaint Chuck Jackson (2:55)
Sweet Sixteen Ahmet Ertegun Chuck Jackson (3:56)
Satisfaction Mick Jagger Chuck Jackson (2:20)
All in My Mind Freddy Johnson, Leroy Kirkland Chuck Jackson (3:42)
The Love of My Girl Ed Townsend Chuck Jackson (3:43)
I'm So Thankful Marc Gordon Chuck Jackson (3:06)
Something's Got a Hold on Me Etta James, Leroy Kirkland, Pearl Woods Chuck Jackson (2:50)
Quarter to Three Gene Barge, Gary Anderson, Frank Guida Chuck Jackson (1:55)
Ya Ya Lee Dorsey, Freddy Robinson, Clarence Lewis Chuck Jackson (2:42)
Getting Ready Medley: Get Ready/Barefootin'/Uptight (Everything's ...) Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Donald Storball, Steven Judkins Chuck Jackson (4:13)
Sunny Bobby Hebb Chuck Jackson (3:28)
634-5789 Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd Chuck Jackson (3:18)
Hold On! I'm Comin' Isaac Hayes, David Porter Chuck Jackson (3:32)
Blowin' in the Wind Bob Dylan Chuck Jackson (3:37)
I've Got to Be Strong Ralph Bailey, Tommy Kaye Chuck Jackson (1:49)
Where Did She Stay Chuck Jackson, Yvonne Fair Chuck Jackson (3:13)
My Baby Loves Me Ivy Hunter, Sylvia Moy Chuck Jackson (3:16)
Every Man Needs a Down Home Girl Ralph Bailey, Tommy Kaye Chuck Jackson (2:05)
Theme to the Blues, Pt. 2 Bobby Scott Chuck Jackson (2:50)

Credits

Chuck Jackson (Vocals), Jools DeVere (Package Design), Bill Dahl (Liner Notes), Peter Gibbon (Project Supervisor)
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Album Review. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more