Move over, Motown
Phil S. | USA | 07/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Brunswick label seems to have approximately the same major hit-span as Motown (late '50s into the mid-'70s, pundits correct me if I'm wrong) but when it comes to Soul-Pop or Pop-Soul, the Chicago team can match the much-heralded Detroit team title by title, if not by sales then by artistic triumphs. Consider the work of Jackie Wilson, the Chi-Lites, Gene Chandler, and many others in the Illinois line-up, and you realize that perhaps this label (along with Vee Jay, et. al) has not quite gotten its' due historical recognition - in the broadcasting and literary realm - not that their Michigan competition did not deserve its' global status. And 1950s legends even took their turns at bat in the sixties, namely Lavern Baker (with the Drifters' style "Wrapped, Tied, And Tangled") and Little Richard (with a rockin' update of a familiar blues melody [reference Walter Coleman's "Mama, Let Me Lay It On You" and Lightin' Hopkin's "Honey, Don't Tear My Clothes] called "Baby, Don't You Tear My Clothes").
Here we have a two CD set, beautifully mounted, taking us from Jackie's "Reet Petite" to the Chi-Lites' "You Don't Have To Go". Two interesting entries come from Mr. Hamilton Bohannon, "The Pimp Walk", a great instrumental suggesting a possible influence on a later Bee Gees' smash, and "Disco Stomp", another creative entry - incorporating a "Hey, Bo Diddley" sound with the then-current trend.
"Wack Wack" by the Young-Holt Trio is not the novelty you might expect by the title, it's a gem worthy of rediscovery; "The Who Who Song", a "lost" hit if there ever was one by JW; a near-smash by the same genius called "I Get The Sweetest Feeling"; "Turn Back The Hands Of Time", the Tyrone Davis classic, gets a crystalline pressing for the golden oldies radio staple. Barbara Acklin, Erma Franklin also contribute to this important collection.
Perhaps in the imagined "The Story Of Brunswick, Volume Two" the producers could include a few (reportedly) unreleased numbers by Richard Penniman, "Sugar, Sugar, Sugar", and something from the rumoured live session from 1968.
By the way, Ian McCann's track notations are excellent.
"
Soul Explosion
Phil S. | 10/04/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This double CD set is great! In addition to providing a wealth of songs in a single collection, included is the only CD available with "Funky Chicken" by Willie Henderson. "Funky Chicken" is a legendary soul song."
Track Listings (45) - Disc #1