Various: Atlantic R&B 1947-1974 Volumes 1-8

Elly Roberts reviews

Various: Atlantic R&B 1947-1974 Volumes 1-8Distributed by
Warners

Buy:
Vol.1 /Vol.2 /Vol.3 /Vol.4
Vol.5 /Vol.6 /Vol.7 /Vol.8
• May 2006
• Rating: 10/10+
• Format: 8-CD set

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Re-issue of a 1991 release, charting the evolution of Atlantic’s R&B immense back-catalogue, from the post war era to early seventies.

Atlantic Records was formed in 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Thelabel endeavoured to popularise the wealth of black music on the scene –Jazz, Soul and R&B.

Initially set up as a Jazz label, it eventually diversified towards R&B in1949 with Stick McGhee’s groundbreaking song, and Atlantic’s first hit,Drinkin’ Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee, disc 1 track 6.

This definitive collection has been around for some time, but its well worthre-visiting. Unless you’re of a certain age or an aficionado, many of thenames on the early discs will not be familiar, except for early starsProfessor Longhair – Mardi Gras In New Orleans, Joe Turner –The Chill Is On and Ruth Brown – Teardrops From Eyes, all on disc 1.

By 1952, we see the emergence of luminaries Ray Charles, with a steadyThe Midnight Hour, Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters with an early classicstomp Money Honey – disc 2. There’s also a sparkling version ofShake Rattle and Roll by Joe Turner.

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Up to 1957, disc 3, its much of the same roster of artists, added to by superbdoo-woppers The Cardinals – The Door Is Still Open, and male-femalesongbirds The Cookies. Highlight here is a soulful classic, Drown In My OwnTears by Ray Charles.

Up to 1960, the same acts continue, though we seethe arrival of future legends – Ben E. King Stand By Me (though itwouldn’t make the top spot in the UK until 1987 via a jeans advert), and UKtranslated hits Yakety Yak and Poison Ivy by The Coasters andlittle known Solomon Burke.

It could be said that by 1961 up to 1965, Atlantic was now displaying aroster of what would be called ‘Soul’ artists, with Solomon Burke,Ben. E. King, The Drifters, Esther Phillips and Otis Redding – Mr. Pitiful,being their commercial success. Doris Troy pops up here too: she wouldeventually sing her heart out on Pink Floyd’s The Great Gig In The Sky(Dark Side Of The Moon).Star tracks on disc 5 is the 60s instrumental anthem Green Onions byBooker T. and The Drifters’ Under The Board Walk.

Disc 6, contains some of the best mix of popular soul on the scene, equallymatching Motown’s collective.The hits just pour out: When A Man Loves a Woman – Percy Sledge,634-5789 / Mustang Sally / In The Midnight Hour – Wilson Pickett,Hold On I’m Coming / Soul Man – Sam and Dave, Knock On Wood – Eddie Floyd.

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Fascinatingly, the emergence of what would be called Northern Soul surfaceson Don Covay’s swinging gem See-Saw. Aretha Franklin also makes ashowing. Top track on this, is arguably one of the best Soul/Northern Soulanthems – Arthur Conley’s infectious Sweet Soul Music.

Disc 7 and 8, contain global sellers by Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin,Otis Redding, with other highlights coming from King Curtis with the uniquesoul blast of Memphis Soul Stew, and heart-wrenching balladPatches by Clarence Carter, eventually covered by soul-troopThe Chairman Of The Board, and the sophisticated singing of The Spinners onI’ll Be Around.

Eargasmic collection.

For a full track listing on each CD, click on the individual Vols 1-8at the top of this review.

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