Volume 16 of a 20 volume Rhino series. I had no plans to collect all 20 CDs, but they keep appearing in used bins and I simply can't help myself so we'll have to wait and see where this leads. From what I can ascertain, the later volumes released in 1995 are getting harder to find which normally translates to higher price tags, so I'm lucky I happened across this one in 2024 even though it came with a $19.99 price tag (I'm not saying that's what I paid, simply stating what the price sticker read).
Tracks, with Billboard chart peaks:
- Patches - Clarence Carter (1970, #4 pop, #2 R&B)
I dig the building pre-chorus, but not so much the spoken word verse. And it's such a depressing song. Nevertheless, it won the 1971 Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Song. - Betcha By Golly, Wow - The Stylistics (1972, #3 pop, #2 R&B, #7 AC)
From the mind of Thom Bell comes this classic, oft covered tune. So dadgum smooth it could glide on sandpaper. - You're Still A Young Man - Tower Of Power (1972, #29 pop, #24 R&B)
Love this waltz with its screaming trumpets and doo-wop vocals. I don't care much for the abbreviated single edit included on the compilation. - Misdemeanor - Foster Sylvers (1973, #22 pop, #7 R&B)
11 year old Foster does his best Michael Jackson imitation and sounds almost exactly like him. Unfortunately, the backing group isn't up to the standards of the Funk Brothers or The Corporation. That's Foster in the CD's cover photo. A couple of years later, he'd contract a bad case of boogie fever. - Nobody Wants You When You're Down And Out - Bobby Womack (1973, #29 pop, #2 R&B)
In which a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer takes an old blues tune, completely deconstructs it, and makes it his own. - Cheaper To Keep Her - Johnnie Taylor (1973, #15 pop, #2 R&B)
Part bluesy jazz tune, part Stax groove, all good. - Put Your Hands Together - The O'Jays (1974, #10 pop, #2 R&B)
Another cut on this compilation performed by members of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Written and produced by the legendary Gamble & Huff team, containing the same formula - both musically and lyrically - as the group's 1972 hit Love Train. What a joyful chorus! - Trying To Hold On To My Woman - Lamont Dozier (1974, #15 pop, #4 R&B)
Also a member of the Rock Hall. This song is a pleading slow burn and was Dozier's biggest hit as a solo artist. - Sexy Mama - The Moments (1974, #17 pop, #3 R&B)
Take a smooth groove, add some strings plus a little pillow talk and you've got a sexy stew goin'. - Touch A Hand, Make A Friend - The Staple Singers (1974, #23 pop, #3 R&B, #27 AC)
The Staple Singers (Rock Hall 1999) recorded tunes that were so basic they immediately hooked you, lyrics so positive they immediately uplifted you, and arrangements so perfect they always gave you something new. This track is no exception. - Skin Tight - Ohio Players (1974, #13 pop, #2 R&B)
A sweet chunk of polished funk from the boys from Dayton. Between the bass line, the horn licks, and the immediately identifiable "well, well, well" from Sugarfoot, I can't decide which I like more. - Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy) - Al Green (1974, #7 pop, #2 R&B, #28 disco)
They literally saved the best for last. What a legend. Of course the Rev. Green is in many Halls of Fame, including Rock, Grammy, Gospel Music, Songwriters, Memphis Music, etc. And here's a picture from the time I saw him in concert in Austin, April 2012.
Previously revisited for the blog:
| Volume 2 | Volume 13 |
| Volume 5 | Volume 14 |
| Volume 6 | Volume 15 |
| Volume 12 | Volume 18 |
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