"After serving a 3-year stint as lead vocalist (replacing Clyde McPhatter) with Billy Ward and the Dominoes, Jackie Wilson began a successful solo career with Brunswick Records and hit No. 11 on the R&B chart (No. 62 pop) with his first single, "Reet Petite" in 1957. Over the next decade he would place 24 songs in the Top 40 on the pop chart, including such classics as "Lonely Teardrops" and "(Your Love Keeps Lifiting Me) Higher and Higher" from 1958 and 1967 respectively.This recent Brunswick release is an update of its 1969 The Greatest Hits of Jackie Wilson. As such it is almost indistiguishable in any relevant way from Rhino's 1994 The Very Best of Jackie Wilson. Tracks here not found on the Rhino set are "I Don't Want to Lose You" (No. 84, 1967), "Please Tell Me Why" (No. 20, 1961), and the b-side "The Tear of the Year" (No. 44, 1961).What is missing (from both the Brunswick and Rhino releases) are more than a half dozen of Wilson's other Top 40 hits, including "Alone At Last" and "My Empty Arms"--both of which went Top 10. It's puzzling as to why those two tracks were excluded from this collection. [If you want all the hits and more, you'll have to spring for Rhino's 3-CD Mr. Excitement! box set.] However, if you're looking for a satisfying single-disc set, this one's hard to beat. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"
6 #1 Hits In His Wonderful Career
L. E STOTTLEMEYER | KCMO | 07/30/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Usually you'll hear a dj on the radio at some sound-a-like Oldies station say that the great Jackie Wilson never scored a #1 hit-but what irks me is the fact they refuse to-or are just so darn ignorant-to clarify that remark. It is a cruel and horrible disrespect to the memory of Mr.Wilson not to the state the facts correctly. Mr.Wilson did indeed have a number 1 hit in his career- in fact a total of 6 of them. Those 6 were "Lonely Teardrops", "You Better Know It", "Doggin Around" also an RIAA certified million seller, " A Woman,A Lover,A Friend", "Baby Workout", and "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher&Higher in 1967. These 6 songs were #1 smashes on Billboards R&B chart.Do dj's think that Mr.Wilson somehow thought less of his #1 R&B hit than if it had gone #1 on the pop charts? I beg to differ- I'm sure he was just as proud and excited to hear the news that his song had topped the R&B chart.You see, it doesn't and should not matter that this wrong information is being puked out relentlessly on so called "Pop" Oldies stations-no,the tragedy comes when the dj does not clarify the #1 statement and convinces the listening public that the artist never-ever had a #1 in his life on any chart-and dj's I gotta tell ya-no matter how you sugarcoat it- that's dead wrong.Do "Pop" Oldies dj's arrogantly assume only "Pop' Oldies listeners listen to their station and R&B and Soul Oldies listeners never listen ? The next time you hear your ill-informed local dj say that Jackie Wilson never hit #1 and doesn't clarify his remarks-do me a favor and call and set him straight-even though his ego and arrogance will try to convince you that he or she is right-What a pitiful shame radio has become."
A Hero of the Younger Michael Jackson
Eclectic Revisited | Arizona | 10/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jackie Wilson could really work a crowd; after the height of his career, he was doing just that on stage at a Dick Clark oldies show, when he was stricken, his brain was oxygen-deprived and he spent his last years in a bed. Before that, Jackie gave us some heartfelt music, some hits bigger than others. This CD contains all you will need to know Jackie Wilson, the classic "Lonely Teardrops", "Doggin' Around" (overlooked in some conservative markets for its flipside "Night") "Talk that Talk" and the latter day "Higher and Higher". These are the hits. Enjoy them."
A greatest hits album from a true music legend
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 12/24/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jackie Wilson - 20 Greatest Hits is a solid introductory album for people just discovering the incredible talent of a fine musical legend, Jackie Wilson. Jackie Wilson recorded so much during a career cut short by an untimely death; but we still have much to celebrate when it comes to Jackie's artistry. The quality of the sound on this CD is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done.
The album starts with Jackie belting out one of his very earliest hits, "Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet)." The song has a great beat to it and Jackie never misses a note. His excellent diction enhances his performance even more; and this earned him many female fans rather quickly! Listen also for Jackie to do good on "To Be Loved;" this ballad is sweet while still packing a lot of energy that very few artists besides Jackie could ever communicate through a song. Great!
"Lonely Teardrops" starts out with a bluesy flavor that quickly gives way to a `50s style Latin beat; and this works very well for this number. Jackie makes the tempo changes seemingly effortlessly. Of course, we know it wasn't all that easy; but Jackie Wilson was so talented that he could always make these things look as easy as breathing. I only wish I had seen him once in concert.
"That's Why (I Love You So)" is one of my favorite songs; the backup singers harmonize very well and they complement Jackie's vocals perfectly. "That's Why (I Love You So)" is easily a highlight of this album; and there's also the big hit "Talk That Talk." Another personal favorite of mine is the dramatic, operatic ballad entitled "Night;" Jackie delivers this better than anyone else I've ever heard sing this song and "Night" is worth the price of admission alone.
There are, of course, other great songs to take note of--we get "A Woman, A Lover, A Friend" which Jackie bats straight out of the ballpark; and I really like the fun "Baby Workout" which of course Jackie helped write. "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" was also a big success for Jackie.
Another reviewer notes that a few important songs are missing from this album; and they are correct. However, as an introductory "greatest hits" album, this CD scores a high mark in my book. If you really like Jackie Wilson after listening to this CD, then you should consider the CD box set entitled Mr. Excitement! on the Rhino Records label. Unfortunately, though, because Mr. Excitement! is currently out of print it is very expensive; you may prefer instead to purchase the two disc set entitled The Ultimate Jackie Wilson. Both box sets are available for sale on this website as of the time of this writing.