Search - Ben E King :: Anthology

The Great Urban R&B Sound Of Atlantic Records

H. Marshall | Oakland, Calif. | 05/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've long felt that one of pivotal, maddening "what ifs?" of the development of soul music was the refusal of Sam Cooke, after his incredible gospel career, to join with Atlantic Records in the late '50s (Jerry Wexler, who was crazy about Cooke, couldn't match RCA Victor's offer. So instead of getting more versions of "Bring It On Home To Me", or, perhaps an earlier version of "Stand By Me" we got "Indian Sunset"). Since God has a way of sending His wisdom through a side door, when we're too dense to accept it through the front, we were given Ben E. King to deliver the news instead. And that ain't a bad trade-off. King, a modest, self-effacing man who preferred the back-up chorus to the lead, had a gem of a gospel/soul vocal presence that quickly defined that wonderful inner-city sound of those sweet, too brief early Atlantic years, the Shulman-Pomus-Leiber-Stoller years. Ben E. isn't the most under-appreciated of the great soul masters (that dubious honor goes to Solomon Burke, or even to Sam's better, more soulful studio work for RCA), but he is one of the most overlooked. This Rhino anthology is everything you could wish for as an representative overview of his Drifters/early-mid. solo period: all the hits, some almost-as-good non-hits and bonus cuts, interesting and good later-sixties tries; extensive notes and booklet with input from Ben E., Wexler and others, typical Rhino quality production. The only thing I miss is some representative live work from the early-60's shows (yes, it's there; check out Ben's great "Stand By Me"/"Don't Play That Song" medley from the "Live At The Apollo" album, recorded just days before the Kennedy assasination. If they ever release it on CD.) Buy it, cherish it, it's music and feeling that isn't out there anymore, the type that made you look up and say "Hey, what's that?..." and I envy someone, hopefully younger, who gets to hear it for the first time."

Very talented and Underrated Artist

mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 03/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ben E King is One of those SOul Singers when ranking and discussion amongest the best come up his name never comes up. but ask most people about "Stand By Me" and the Haunting tone of that particular song and his name might come up. mention Super natural thing" his name might come up again depending on who you are talking to. this compilation fully represents his Greatness and his stylings. Ben E.King is what I say about alot of artists in that no matter how talented you are if you have the Song or Songs then everything else will work itself out and this set showcases his range and musical versatility and his Soulful signature."