Search - Jackie Wilson :: Very Best of

A brilliant and very influential singer

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 12/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jackie Wilson, who style of music was at the R+B end of the rock'n'roll spectrum, had a long string of hits in America during the fifties and sixties but it was only in the eighties that he made any real impact in Britain (a few years after he died) following the use of one of his songs in a TV commercial.UK fans will recognize Reet petite (a number one UK hit) and two other major UK hits, I get the sweetest feeling and Your love has lifted me higher and higher (a song that has been covered by many other singers including Dolly Parton and Rita Coolidge). All these songs had been huge American hits for Jackie in the fifties and sixties.Among Jackie's other American hits, this collection includes Lonely teardrops, That's why I love you so, Night, To be loved, I'll be satisfied, Whispers getting louder and A woman a lover a friend.This compilation also includes Jackie's distinctive cover of Danny Boy as well as four tracks featuring Count Basie, two featuring LaVern Baker and three gospel duets with Linda Hopkins.It is amazing that Jackie made little impact in the UK during his lifetime but, helped by the Commodores' tribute song (Nightshift) and some TV commercials, he has gained a measure of posthumous recognition. It is ironic that this UK compilation is the best single-CD collection of his music."