Digitally remastered collection of tracks from the R&B great, recorded during his final years with the King label, 1961-63. Includes extensive sleeve notes, which covers both the era of this CD and the sad end to his life. 24 tracks. Ace. 2009.
A**R
Great music! Love this CD!
Great music! Love this CD!
J**S
A bookend to the career of a talented, troubled genius
If you're really into Little Willie John, you will want this discbecause you'll find some gems not included on other compilations.Most notably, songs like "Until Again My Love," "Inside Information,""Come Back To Me," "Half A Love," and "Without A Friend."Little Willie John rarely ever recorded a song longer than 3 minutesso any compilation is going to have a lot of "filler" type of material.If you get this disc along with the 2 CD Jasmine label "Sleep," youwill have every great song he did in his tragically short career.
V**A
Love LWJ but not this collection so much
Not his best work....
R**Z
Five Stars
Absolutely love Littlke Willie John
J**T
Great, almost forgotten R&B artist
Little Willie John was fantastic throughout his career. This set is quite good, especially because it contains the marvelous song, "Big Blue Diamonds," a soulful lament that I first heard about a decade ago by Manfred Mann vocalist Paul Jones.
J**E
Disappointed
I have learnt a lesson from the purchase of this CD - one man's R'n'B is another man's pop. I agree Mr John has a good voice but the arrangements would not be out of place on a Bobby Vee or early Drifters recording (or even twist). I expected a raw earthy R&B/Soul crossover not a black songster singing for the 60's white pop market. Of course there are some reasonable tracks here but there are a lot of fillers. The recording quality is not exceptional- Willie's voice often distorts at top notes. His influences would appear to be Sam Cooke and a young Ray Charles but their songs are far better in staying power. By 1963 these songs would have been old fashioned in their arrangements which is probably why he did not feature prominently up to his incarceration. There were artists who were more popular and had better songs - competition was tough. It's a pity - with better material his talent may have shone through stronger. Maybe "1966" is a better album?I would suggest that if you are considering purchasing this album try to listen to some of the tracks. Perhaps "nostalgia" albums should carry a health warning: "this album contains mediocrity".By the way if you are tempted to buy his sister's (Mable John) album, again listen first.
Trustpilot
1 week ago
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