100 Essential CD's
|
Please click on
|
As the title suggests this book is simply one hundred reviews of 'Essential' Soul CD's. No explanation is given as to the criteria by which these compilations were selected, so one can only assume that they are the author's personal choice. I have to say that most of them would certainly not be mine. In the first place he uses the term 'soul' with far too much artistic licence and includes what are clearly Gospel, Doo-Wop, Blues or even Jazz compilations. He justifies their inclusion by arguing these groups are part of the history and evolution of soul, but as this is not what was suggested by the title I could not help feeling more than a little misled. To give you some idea of the broad brush that the author uses to define soul the book contains reviews of such artists as The Jimmy Castor Bunch, Chic, the Clovers, Nat King Cole, D'Angelo, Dr. Buzzard's Savannah Band, Missy 'Misdemeanour' Elliott, En Vogue, The '5' Royales, Mahalia Jackson, Louis Jordan, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Teena Marie and several other artists with very suspect credentials. If the choice of artist is the book's biggest weakness, the quality of writing certainly isn't. The author does not have any template for what he will say about a compilation which means that its style is varied. On starting a new review the author may give a brief history of the artist, he may focus on the influences which inspired the artist, he may put the album into a political context, sometimes he sticks strictly to the music. The fact that he does not comment on the same facets of the album each time keeps the reader guessing and certainly helps maintain an interest in what he is saying. At the end of each review he always includes a 'We almost chose' suggestion which gives the reader an 'almost as good' alternative the the album he has discussed. Despite some very dodgy inclusions this book is well written, has great variety in its approach and undoubtedly gives insight into not only soul, but many other forms of black music. The most remarkable thing about it is it's value for money. How many other Soul books of this quality could be picked up for just £2.99? The 100 'essential' Soul CD's identified are:- Blackstreet - Another Level Two Steps From The Blues - Bobby 'Blue' Bland My Life - Mary J Bilge The Very Best Of Booker T And The MG's - Booker T And The MG's Twenty All Time Greatest Hits - James Brown The foundations Of Funk :(A Brand New Bag) - James Brown Live At The Apollo - James Brown Good Rockin' Tonight: The Best Of Roy Brown - Roy Brown The Best Of Cameo - Cameo The Essential James Carr - James Carr The Everything Man - Jimmy Castor Bunch The Best Of Ray Charles:The Atlantic Years - Ray Charles C'est Chic - Chic Risque - Chic Computer Games - George Clinton The Very Best Of The Clovers- The Clovers Nat King Cole Story - Nat King Cole Wonderful World - Sam Cooke Brown Sugar -D'Angelo The Definitive Collection - Lee Dorsey Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band - Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band Rockin' And Driftin':The Drifter's Boxset - The Drifter's Funky Broadway - Dyke And The Blazers Greatest Hits - Earth Wind And Fire Supa Dupa Fly-Missy 'Misdemeanour' Elliot Funky Divas - En Vogue All Righty: The Apollo Recordings - The '5' Royals The Ultimate Collection - The Four Tops Queen of Soul: The Very Best Of Aretha Franklin - Aretha Franklin Maggot Brain - Funkadelic The Best Of The Gap band - The Gap Band Anthology - Marvin Gaye What's Going On - Marvin Gaye Call Me - Al Green Guy - Guy Hot Buttered Soul - Isaac Hayes The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill The Very Best Of The Impressions - The Impressions It's Your Thing: The Story Of The Isley Brothers - The Isley Brothers The Ultimate Collection - The Jackson Five Control - Janet Jackson How I Got Over: The Apollo Sessions 1946 to 1954 - Mahalia Jackson Thriller - Michael Jackson The Best Of Louis Jordan - Louis Jordan Wise Guy (A.K.A Tropical Gangsters) - Kid Creole And The Coconuts Wild And Peaceful - Kool And The Gang Fever: The Best Of Little Willie John - Little Willie John Starchild - Teena Marie The Ultimate Collection - Martha & The Vandellas Superfly - Curtis Mayfield Wake Up Everybody - Harold Melvin And The Bluenotes Funkify Your Life - The Meters Ethiopiques 4 - Maluta Astatqe Back Stabbers - The O'Jays Funkentelechy vs. The Placebo Syndrome - Parliament Mothership Connection - Parliament How Strong Is A Woman - Ann Peebles Wilson Pickett's Greatest Hits - Wilson Pickett Dirty Mind - Prince Sign O' The Times - Prince Dreams To Remember -: The Otis Redding Anthology - Otis Redding Tracks Of My Tears : Smokey Robinson And The Miracles The Best Of Sam And Dave - Sam And Dave The Very Best Of the Shirelles - The Shirelles It Tears Me Up - Percy Sledge We Are Family - Sister Sledge The Very Best Of Sly And The Family Stone - Sly And The Family Stone There's A Riot Goin' On - Sly And The Family Stone Club Classics vol 1 - Soul 11 Soul Dusty In Memphis - Dusty Springfield Endless Summer - Donna Summer The Ultimate Collection - Diana Ross And The Supremes Total Destruction Of Your Mind/ Rat On - Swamp Dogg Love Lifted Me/My Rock - Swan Silvertones The Best Of Sylvester - Sylvester Star Get It While You Can: The Legendary Sessions - Howard Tate Anthology - The Temptations His Greatest Hits - Joe Tex Sweet Soul Queen Of New Orleans - Irma Thomas All Day Music - War Sixty Minute Man - Billy Ward And His Dominoes The Dionne Warwick Collection - Dionne Warwick The Very Best Of Jackie Wilson - Jackie Wilson Love Wars - Womack And Womack Innervisions - Stevie Wonder Bad Mutha's - Various Artists Birth Of Soul Volume Two- Various Artists Kurtis Blow Presents The History Of Rap Vol 1- Various Artists Classic Salsoul Mastercuts Volume 1- Various Artists Keb Darge's Legendary Deep Funk Volume 1- Various Artists Freestyles Greatest Beats- Various Artists Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures Volume 1- Various Artists The Great Gospel Women Volume 2- Various Artists Jubilation! Great Gospel Performances Vol.2- Various Artists Jumpin'- Various Artists Land Of 1000 Dances- Various Artists Larry Levan's Paradise Garage - Various Artists The New Orleans Hit Story- Various Artists Prelude's Greatest Hits- Various Artists
|
|
Why Not visit the Authors other Website, 'The Alternative Blackpool Website' at http://www.localdial.com/users/jsyedu133/bpool This Site Last Updated 18/05/05
|
the category you wish to choose from the options
below
