Soul Collection

Review "The Soul Collection" is Price's tribute to many of the artists who both inspired and influenced him...in truth there is not a weak track on this set. Otis Clay, the Emotions, superb musicians, and one of the best "blue-eyed" soul singers around make this a must for all serious fans of the genre. -- Mick Rainsford, Blues & Rhythm, April 1998 Just when you began to cringe at the thought of another tribute album, along comes Billy Price's "The Soul Collection," an R & B homage full of revealing and compelling performances. Revealing because Price doesn't round up the usual suspects. Instead of saluting Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Al Green, or Otis Redding, he focuses on less familiar names, giving each their due. The list includes Otis Clay, James Carr, Joe Simon, O.V. Wright, the Soul Sisters, Linda Jones, Arthur Alexander, Syl Johnson, Latimore, and other worthy artists. Compelling because Price is a terrifically expressive soul singer in his own right, one who conveys both the pain and the pleasure implicit in these choice songs. Because there's nothing forced or affected about his delivery, he's able to convince you that every song on this album bears repeating, which is saying a lot, given the emotional power of the original recordings. Even so, some of Price's interpretations stand out. Among them are three Clay tunes (including a duet version of "That's How It Is," which features Clay); a now brooding, now defiant reading of Wright's "Gonna Forget About You"; and the pleading ballad "Let It Happen," a powerful reminder of Carr's remarkable but seldom recognized talent. On these and other tracks, it's also clear that Price's tight, horn-powered band shares his keen soul sensibilities. Mike Joyce, April 25, 1997 -- Washington Post The former Roy Buchanan Band frontman takes an inspired stroll through the glorious history of soul music, investing his loving remakes of 16 lesser-known 1960s-'70s gems from the likes of O.V. Wright, James Carr, Syl Johnson, Joe Simon, and Don Covay with uncommon passion and authenticity. Price's gritty vocals and the horn-leavened backing are delightful, and the estimable presence of Otis Clay on a sizzling duet revival of That's How It Is doesn't hurt either. -- Bill Dahl, Living Blues, September-October 1997 These are by far the best recordings yet made by Billy Price. The Soul Collection is 16 cuts of obscure but still first-rate soul songs written by the likes of O.V. Wright, Eddie Hinton and Lamont Dozier, and rerecorded with the utmost care. This CD features some of the area's best musicians, such as drummer H.B. Bennett, guitarist Don Garvin and bassist Paul Thompson from the Billy Price band, keyboardist Max Leake, and a slew of horn players including Ralph Guzzi, Nick Dialoiso, Eric DeFade and Mark Snyder. Price has never sounded, dare I say it, more soulful and passionate. He never really seemed comfortable with the Keystone Rhythm Band's move to be more commercial in the '80s, and the recordings from that era captured his distance from the whole star-making machinery. On this CD, Price is back where he belongs, doing what he loves best: reinterpreting great soul songs and giving them new life. The Soul Collection features three songs by Otis Clay, whom Price describes as his "friend and mentor." Recorded in Chicago, "That's How It Is" features Clay himself and you can actually hear Billy Price beaming as he sings with his idol. The Soul Collection is a true labor of love and that feeling comes through loud and clear. Phil Harris, December 17, 1997 -- In Pittsburgh Product Description Billy Price has been thrilling east coast audiences with his brand of rhythm and blues for the past three decades. In his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pa., he is an institution. Price's popularity isn't hard to explain. As Geoffrey Himes of the Washington Post has written, 'Unlike so many blues revivalists, Price is not an imitation of older, better singers--he's the real thing.' Billy Price first attracted national attention during his three-year association with guitarist Roy Buchanan. Price is the vocalist on two of Buchanan's LPs, That's What I'm Here Forand Livestock. With Buchanan, Price toured the U.S. and Canada, playing such venues as Carnegie Hall in New York, the Newport Jazz Festival, the Roxy and the Troubadour in Los Angeles, and the Spectrum in Philadelphia. Price assembled Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band in 1977. Before their breakup in 1990, the band recorded four critically acclaimed LPs and developed a reputation as one of the most exciting touring bands in the U.S. Price formed The Billy Price Band in 1990. In addition to performing popular songs from Price's years with Buchanan and the Keystone Rhythm Band, the Billy Price Band features new interpretations of blues, R & B, and soul classics. The band currently consists of Lenny Smith (guitar), Willy Franklin (bass), H.B. Bennett (drums), John Burgh (keyboards), Joe Herndon (trumpet), Eric DeFade (
ASIN: B000025142
VSKU: DBV.B000025142.G
Condition: Good
Author/Artist:Price, Billy
Binding: Audio cd
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Condition Notes: Individually inspected: Guaranteed to play perfectly or your money back. Case may show wear and may be in library packaging. Ships Fast!