I'd Call That A Bargain The Best I Ever Had

The Lovelites: How Can I Tell My Mom And Dad
from Art Laboe's Dedicated to You, Vol. 2 (Original Sound 1992)

Solomon Burke: If You Need Me
from Rock and Soul (Atlantic 1964) also on Solid Gold Soul: Deep Soul (Rhino Records 2000)

Vicki Anderson: The Message From The Soul Sisters, Parts 1 & 2
from 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of James Brown, Vol. 3 (Polydor 2005)


With prices of CD's ranging anywhere from twelve dollars (and that's usually a bargain) to nineteen dollars, it really is no surprise that illegal downloads and a la carte music services get more internet traffic than the financially troubled Tower Records get foot traffic. But all's not lost for that dying breed of consumer, the CD purchaser. When albums fail to hold your interest for more than the two or three songs that are earmarked for single consumption, you can always turn to the compilation album. Made most noticeable with the MTV compilation series, these types of CD's can be a blessing in disguise. If you buy the right ones, you're usually blessed with a couple of diamonds in the rough.

For example the Art Laboe series of CD's. His Dedicated To You series has been around for a bit and practically all of the CD's have something for the old school head in all of us. The first track I present here is from his Vol. 2 of the series and is from the underappreciated group The Lovelites (not to be confused with the Phil Spector backed group of the same name). The song which is about teenage pregnancy, and predates Madonnas song on the same subject by 20 years, is pretty racy for it's time. It's slow langorous opening sets up your standard fare of 60's female r&b harmonizing but the song still builds nicely and makes a pretty poignant point about the mistakes of youth. Particularly enjoyable is the breakdown after the second verse with it's emotive guitar break and smooth bass line.

The second track is from the inimitable Solomon Burke and if ever there was a track that exudes smoky chitlin circuit soul this song has to be it. From the thick guitars to the "pitchy" (I hate that word) background singers and the monologue that expectedly comes in during the break, this song works on one level, the get-out-of-your-pants-and-let's-get-it-on level, and it works it down to tthe very end of the song. His passionate wailing cuts right to the essence of the song, and the beautiful thing about Burke is how every one of his recordings gush with the same passion.

The last track is from Vicki Anderson, whom most people would recognize as the understudy to the great Lyn Collins in the James Brown diva hierarchy. This is a by the numbers James Brown production piece which means that it's funkier than almost every other song put out at the same time. With it's rolling piano and the frenetic horns backing the message of female empowerment the song immediately takes charge with Vicki proselytyzing about being looked over. While not as strong a singer as Lyn Collins, Vicki Anderson is still a very capable performer and is strong enough vocally to run with the big boys that are backing her.