Search - Various :: Scepter Records Story

Nice Box Set

Max K | Edmonton, AB Canada | 12/31/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a bit of an oddity, in that Scepter wasn't a "Soul" label or a "Rock" label, but a "Pop" label, which encompasses quite a few different genres. There's the smooth (The Dionne Warwick/Bacharach/David Canon is superbly represented here), the girl group sound (Shirelles), the rough (gospelled-up soul of Maxine Brown and Chuck Jackson), the garage (The Kingsmen) and the cheeze (BJ Thomas). Discs one and two are both stellar, but the chronologically-ordered set gradually goes to pot towards the end, with BJ (possibly the least coolest singer ever) blathering and crooning his way through some of the '70s worst pop sludge. Still, this set is worth it simply because the first two discs are quite good, and Maxine Brown's previously unreleased take on "Baby Cakes" on the third disc will simply blow you away. Get it cheap, or don't get it at all."

Good songs Good Buy

Michael Shannon | Houston | 07/05/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I give it between a 4 and 5. BJ Thomas is a great singer not a Cheeze, whatever that means. Some of his songs may be a put off for soul types and "Everybody's out of town" is a loser but the rest are great. He forever stamped Hank Williams "I'm So lonesome I could cry" with his definitive version that is a classic keeper. BJ does have most of Disc 3 but I like all styles and he has a killer voice. Just a little bit by Roy Head is a welcome addition and "My Pledge of Love"-Joe Jeffrey Group and "Oh no not my baby"-the awesome Maxine Brown are 10's on a scale of 1-10 not to mention Anyday Now, Walk on by etc etc. The Shirelles never made a bad record. Dionne Warwick is a superstar with a superstar songwriting team. Its not a soul or pop or whatever compilation, its just good music that sold many records and a worthwhile purchase and at 65 songs its worth $25 easy to me."