Jackie Wilson Albums (11)
'The History of Jackie Wilson, Vol. 2: Jackie Sets the Standards'
Release Date 6/27/2006
Tracks 40
Label Edel
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What The Critics Say
Jackie Wilson was one of the great natural talents of soul and R&B during the 1950s and '60s, but you wouldn't always know that from listening to his records. Wilson and his A&R people had rather curious ideas about what to do with his powerhouse voice, and he cut lots of material -- standards, show tunes, adult pop hits -- which cast him in the mold of a middle-of-the-road supper club singer rather than the soulful dynamo who exploded on nightclub stages. The History of Jackie Wilson, Vol. 2: Jackie Sets the Standards collects 40 songs from Wilson's Brunswick Records catalog that reflect this side of his musical personality, and while there's never any question that Wilson has a tremendous voice with a broad range and plenty of expressive power, he doesn't seem especially well-suited to this material most of the time. Did anyone really think it was a good idea for Wilson to record "You'll Never Walk Alone," "People" or (gulp) "My Yiddishe Momma"? Wilson never gives less than 100 percent on these selections, but sometimes this just makes things worse; he struggles to find a soulful undercurrent in "Ode to Billie Joe," "My Way," and "Sonny Boy" to the point of forcing one in even if it doesn't fit, and the emotional overstatement only makes these sides sound all the more absurd. The highly polished and hackneyed arrangements don't do Wilson any favors, and ultimately, it's remarkable that a handful of songs work in spite of it all, especially "Danny Boy," "Night," "St. James Infirmary," and "For Once in My Life," numbers where Wilson finds a way to reach the songs on his own terms. There's an old cliché about a singer being so good that he could sing the telephone directory, and there are moments where that sounds preferable to what's on Jackie Sets the Standards; given Wilson's incredible talent, this is usually at least listenable, but it also demonstrates just how misguided Wilson's recording career could be. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide
'Live!'
Release Date 3/12/2002
Tracks 10
Label EMI-Capitol Special Markets
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'Jackie Wilson and Count Basie'
Release Date 3/12/2002
Tracks 10
Label EMI-Capitol Special Markets
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What The Critics Say
Produced by Carl Davis and Sonny Sanders, Nobody but You was Jackie Wilson's final and possibly his finest album. Originally issued in late 1976, it was recorded in Detroit and had top-notch arrangements by Sanders and David Van De Pitte. One charting single was the wise and exuberant "Don't Burn No Bridges," which featured his Brunswick labelmates the Chi-Lites. Other highlights are the reflective "Where Is Love" -- similar in tone to another Wilson track, "Beautiful Day" -- the buoyant "It Only Happens When I Look at You," the footstomper "Satisfy My Soul," and the Sam Dees ballad "Just As Soon As the Feeling's Over." It's bittersweet that the LP ends with the steadfast "I've Learned About Life" -- by the time of its release, the great singer had succumbed to the effects of an on-stage heart attack from which he'd never recover. Nobody but You is on the splendid 1999 two-LP single Edsel CD Beautiful Day/Nobody ut You. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Produced by Chicago soul producer Carl Davis, You Got Me Walking was one of Jackie Wilson's best albums. As usual with Davis/Wilson collaborations, Motown's studio band the Funk Brothers were on hand to lay down their tight grooves. Written by the Chi-Lites' Eugene Record, the funky, loping single "You Got Me Walking" strutted up to number 22 R&B on Billboard's charts in early 1972. An earlier single, the tender "Love Is Funny That Way," charted in late 1971. Wilson's gospel roots are on full display on Record's rollicking, honking "The Fountain." Other standouts are the majestic "Forever and a Day," the swinging, brassy "Hard to Get a Thing Called Love," and the charting single "The Girl Turned Me On." You Got Me Walking was paired with This Love Is Real on a superb 1999 single CD This Love Is Real/You Got Me Walking from U.K. label Edsel Records. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
By the time of the release of This Love Is Real, it seemed that Chicago soul producer Carl Davis had the hit formula for Jackie Wilson down pat. He'd recruit Motown's James Jamerson, Earl Van Dyke, Benny Benjamin, and the rest of the Funk Brothers and combine their dynamic interplay with a top-notch song from his stable of talented songwriters. It had worked with Wilson's comeback hit "Higher and Higher and was still working some three years later. The effervescent single "(I Can Feel Those Vibrations) This Love Is Real" charted on Billboard in late 1970, becoming a steppers classic. The pop ballad "Love Is Funny That Way" broke the R&B Top 20. Wilson's impressive vocal prowess is showcased on "Let This Be a Letter (To My Baby)" and "Love Uprising," both written by the Chi-Lites' Eugene Record. The ethereal "Think About the Good Times" features an outstanding instrumental break that features fluid wah-wah guitar, dazzling bass runs, and otherworldly sound effects supplied by engineer Bruce Swedien. This Love Is Real was reissued with another great Davis/Wilson LP, You Got Me Walking, on a fine 1999 single CD This Love Is Real/You Got Me Walking from U.K. label Edsel Records. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Produced by Chicago soul stalwarts Carl Davis and arranger Sonny Sanders with musical direction by Willie Henderson, Beautiful Day is Jackie Wilson's last commercially viable album and finds the phenomenal singer in fine form. Songwriter/producer Jeffree Perry (known for the steppers classic "Love's Gonna Last") co-wrote all of the songs. The standouts are the inspiring title track, the peppy "Pretty Little Angel Eyes," and the sensitive renderings Wilson gives on "Go Away," "I Get Lonely Sometimes," and the splendid "This Love Is Mine." What makes this track even more endearing is that you can hear the last part of a count-off (as in "1-2-3, go!") just before the music begins. Despite the LP's rich consistency, the only single to chart was the effervescent "Because of You," which just missed the R&B Top 40 in spring 1973. Beautiful Day was included with another Jackie Wilson LP Nobody but You on the single CD Beautiful Day/Nobody But You issued by Edsel Records on September 29, 1999. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide
'I Get the Sweetest Feeling'
Release Date 1/1/1968
Tracks 5
Label Brunswick
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'Merry Christmas from Jackie Wilson'
Release Date 1/1/1963
Tracks 12
Label Brunswick
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What The Critics Say
After being out of print for years, this essential 1963 gem from one of the most exciting R&B entertainers of all time is finally available. ~ David A. Milberg, All Music Guide
