From the Vault...

10/20/2019
#1695

info
Wilson Pickett
"The Best Of Wilson Pickett"


© Atlantic Records

Rating:

track listing
  • In The Midnight Hour
  • 634-5789
  • I Found A Love
  • Mustang Sally
  • Ninety-Nine And A Half
    (Won't Do)
  • Everybody Needs
    Somebody To Love
  • Don't Fight It
  • I'm A Midnight Mover
  • Funky Broadway
  • Soul Dance
    Number Three
  • I'm In Love
  • Land Of 1000 Dances

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    Wilson Pickett related sites:
    Wilson Pickett Website
    Wikipedia
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    Wilson Pickett
    "The Best Of Wilson Pickett"



    Wilson Pickett had many big hits, as his Soul music was a dominant force in R&B, Rock and Roll, and music in general. He was an inspiration to many, as one of his songs, "Everybody Needs Somedbody To Love" was covered by the Blues Brothers, and featured in their movie. "Mustang Sally" was another huge hit, and one of his best remembered. This song was also covered in the movie The Commandments. This particular song would have to be one of the finest and best songs, ever recorded. "In The Midnight Hour" was another huge hit, and "Land Of 1000 Dances" as everyone will always remember the "Na, Na-Na-Na's" from the song. Other songs that were popular, was "634-5789," a song that would be included in the Blues Brothers movie, Blues Brothers 2000; and "Funky Broadway."


    These songs, and others (a total of 12) makes up the The Best Of Wilson Pickett, an Atlantic Records compilation. These 12 songs are really the cream of the crop in Pickett's career. He recorded a total of 21 studio albums (1963-1999); the peak years were 1965-1968. The 12 songs clearly defines great R&B, Blues, and Rock n Roll. Pickett was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. He passed away at the age of 64 of a heart attack, in the year 2006.


    What's to say of all the popular hits mentioned? They are all classics. As for the not-so-remembered tunes by Pickett (from my knowledge): "I Found A Love" is a great tune, reflecting on the 1950s doo-wop sound. It could also be compared to the early James Brown. (The song was actually recorded in 1967.) As it turns out, "Ninety-Nine And A Half (Won't Do)" would be remembered by Creedence Clearwater Revival fans, as this one was covered on CCR's debut album. "Don't Fight It" is another funky R&B number, "I'm A Midnight Mover" has the same groove as "In The Midnight Hour." Midnight Hour - Midnight Mover, makes sense. The same for "Soul Dance Number Three" - definitely soulful, just as any other Wilson Pickett tune here, and as usual, it's another great R&B rocker - "Lord, Have Mercy!" "I'm In Love" is much mellower in sound, but definitely soulful.


    The Best Of Wilson Pickett is a great 12-song compilation. It has all the best remembered hits from the "Wicked Pickett." It's hard to believe he's been gone since 2006, and at age 64 is a young age when he left us. But he left behind a great legacy of music from his career, and is obvious, a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer. His later albums would be intestering to listen to, especially his album Hey Jude (1968), as he covered the famous Beatles tune, and another song from this album, his cover of Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild." The next album afterwards, in 1969, was Right On, as he would cover other popular songs - The Leaves'/Jimi Hendrix "Hey Joe," and Diana Ross & the Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On," and the Archies' "Sugar, Sugar." His original albums are available on CD, some are two-fers, as well as his live albums. As mentioned, this compilation of The Best Of Wilson Pickett is the cream of the crop of his most famous hits. His other albums are most likely to be enjoyed, as he was one of the most important artists in Rock & Roll and R&B. He may have been compared to James Brown, with his screams and yells and grunts like Brown, but Wilson Pickett was more soulful, and he proved it, by working with Stax musicians, and incorporating that famous Memphis Stax sound. Long live Wilson Pickett, his music will always live on, and be treasured by many.


    © WSVNRadio.net. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of Atlantic Records and is used for reference purposes only.


    Previous Review: #1694
    Bryan Master--Lost At Sea
    Next Review: #1696
    Annie Lennox--Nostalgia