Search - Jackie Wilson :: Woman a Lover a Friend / Body & Soul

Jackie At His Best

dorothee777 | Dallas, Tx United States | 08/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Whether you want music to relax to or make love to- this is the album. When he sings A Woman A Lover A Friend, you know that he had someone in mind when he sang the song. The romance radiates through his soul. Definetly the best Jackie Wilson album of all."

The Master's Less Publicized Work

Doug Henderson | 12/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What I like about these two albums is the opportunity they give listeners to hear Jackie's beautiful voice on songs other than "Lonely Teardrops," "Higher and Higher" and "Baby Workout"--the three songs most identified with this sensational entertainer. Given the proper backing and equal opportunity, Jackie would have been bigger than Elvis. To me, he was. If you think I'm being blasphemous, you ought to resreach some of the King's words, where he called Jackie the greatset singer ever. (In fact, the two were great friends.) The first track, "A Woman, a Lover, a Friend," perfectly sums up what I seek in a woman. But to hear Jackie sing it, is to touch a chord deep in your soul. I guess hurt and sincere emotion best describe the selections inthis set. I particularly liked "I Got It Bad(And That Ain't Good)." Though each song is terrific. For those graduating from Jackie Wilson 101, this is an advaced course."

A Unique Talent

Doug Henderson | 10/02/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As with the CD titled The Jackie Wilson Story, this one from Edsel Records also pulls together two of his earlier vinyl LPs to provide 24 of his best record performances. In addition to the original LP sleeve notes, this also gives you six pages of new background information written in January 1999 by Alan Robinson.



By combining this volume with The Jackie Wilson Story you will also have put a good dent in the 54 Billboard Pop/47 R&B hit singles he had for Decca's Brunswick subsidiary from 1957 to 1975, as the album A Woman, A Lover, A Friend produced six such hits, while from Body And Soul were culled three hits.



From the first LP came Night, which reached # 3 R&B/# 4 Billboard Pop Hot 100 in early 1960 when paired with Doggin'Around (not part of these albums). Later that summer (You Were Made For) All My Love was paired with A Woman, A Lover, A Friend, and both charted at # 12 Hot 100 and # 1 R&B/#15 Hot 100 respectively. Late that fall, another album cut, Am I The Man, got to # 10 R&B/# 32 Hot 100 as the flip of Alone At Last (not in these albums). And finally, in early 1961, Your One And Only Love was released as the B-side to Please Tell Me Why (not here), and it made it to # 40 Hot 100.



Culled from Body And Soul were The Tear Of The Year, released in early 1961 as the flip of My Empty Arms (not here) and going to # 10 R&B/# 44 Hot 100 on its own. Then, in early 1962, The Greatest Hurt scored at # 34 Hot 100 while the B-side, There'll Be No Next Time, got to # 75 Hot 100.



Two great albums rolled into one compact CD. You can't go wrong if you're a fan of the late great Mr. Excitement."