| features in: Album Chart of 1960 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1960s |
The fourth album in three years from the 25-year-old arrived in April, 1960. Ordinarily, “with Chorus and Orchestra directed by Dick Jacobs” (arranger for Tommy Dorsey, Teresa Brewer, Buddy Holly, Bobby Darin etc.) is not the kind of sub text you want to see adorned on a blues album, but – Ovaltiney backing singers aside – there’s much fine fare onboard. I rather suspect Marty Hoffman hasn’t been to gospel church, but he’s right about Jackie in his liner notes:
“Here are twelve never before recorded blues tunes performed with the depth of understanding that Jackie Wilson swings in his familiar and inimitable manner, aided by a gospel chorus that lends a genuine spiritual feeling to the readings. The instrumentation relies on rhythm (four guitars, organ, drum, piano, bass and extra percussion) to set and keep pace with his vocal efforts. Jackie sings the blues! Blues of sadness, hope, happiness and despair… always talking from within himself and contributing so much. The blues have always been around and so long as there remains a point of human experience for reference they always will be.”
Jackie’s emotive falsetto is to the fore on album opener “Please Tell Me Why” which is followed in fine style by “Doggin’ Around” which was climbing the R n B charts (#1) and Pop Charts (#15) as the LP was released. A laid back piano / organ blues groove underpins the album’s vibe, finely accentuated on “Nothin’ But The Blues” in which we learn that every minute, every hour, every day, every week, every month poor Jackie has the blues. Still, there’s always next year, eh? Side two doesn’t maintain the same vitality, although “It’s Been A Long Time” is the album’s standout track at the very death, ending with an air of positivity. He’s at the railroad track to meet his long lost baby who’s coming on home. We can only hope she doesn’t turn up, for what’s a bluesman without the blues?
The Jukebox Rebel
02–Mar–2010
| Tracklist |
| A1 | [02:05]  Jackie Wilson - Please Tell Me Why (Joyce Lee) Blues / Rhythm n Blues |
| A2 | [02:52]  Jackie Wilson - Doggin’ Around (Lena Agree) Blues / Rhythm n Blues |
| A3 | [02:34]  Jackie Wilson - New Girl In Town (Scot Stearn) Blues / Rhythm n Blues |
| A4 | [03:08]  Jackie Wilson - Nothin’ But The Blues (Lena Agree) Blues / Rhythm n Blues |
| A5 | [02:32] Jackie Wilson - Passin’ Through (Lena Agree) Blues / Rhythm n Blues |
| A6 | [02:19]  Jackie Wilson - Excuse Me For Lovin’ (Paul Hack) Rock n Roll Ballad |
| B1 | [03:04]  Jackie Wilson - She Done Me Wrong (Lena Agree) Blues / Rhythm n Blues |
| B2 | [02:05]  Jackie Wilson - Sazzle Dazzle (Joyce Lee) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly |
| B3 | [01:45]  Jackie Wilson - Please Stick Around (Scot Stearn) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly |
| B4 | [01:55]  Jackie Wilson - Come On And Love Me Baby (Joyce Lee) Blues / Rhythm n Blues |
| B5 | [02:33]  Jackie Wilson - Comin’ To Your House (Lena Agree) Blues / Rhythm n Blues |
| B6 | [02:23]  Jackie Wilson - It’s Been A Long Time (Lena Agree) Blues / Rhythm n Blues |
