Search - Jerry Butler :: The Philadelphia Sessions

Been A Long Time...

David Wayne | Santee, CA United States | 08/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For fans of Jerry Butler, and for soul music fans in general, the wait for this release was interminable. The Mercury anthology
on Jerry gave us a little taste of what we needed, but this CD is
the Real Deal: a feast for the heart, the ears, and the feet! "The Ice Man Cometh" was a masterpiece that deserves to be on people's 10-best lists. It was chocked-full of hits (five charting singles, two of which topped the Soul chart), memorable B-sides, and other standout performances. The album celebrated the union of Butler with the production team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff; a union that made pure magic. Gamble and Huff had been
established via associations with The Soul Survivors and The Intruders, among others, but they jumped at the chance to write with Jerry, a pro's pro of a singer with a long-and-strong pedigree, dating back to his days with The Impressions. The first
single they put out, "Lost" hit the Soul top 20 and was impressive enough as a debut. Then came, "Western Union Man," which shot to #1 and became an instant classic. "Never Give You Up" was a classic in its own right, with Jerry instructing his moonlighting girlfriend, to tell the new guy that "Jerry said he'll never let you go!" "Are You Happy" was a breezy reflection
on the "what goes around comes around" theme. The final single release was forced, since the jockeys started playing it right off of the album to satisfy requests. "Only The Strong Survive" had a strong message, indeed; a universal message, whether your trouble is with the opposite sex, unemployment, racial prejudice,
or what have you. "You gotta be strong; you gotta hold on" was a powerful statement at the end of the turbulent sixties, especially for Black Americans both male and female. "The Ice Man Cometh" was a huge step for Gamble and Huff and their Philadelphia Sound. Their trademark elements are on full display here, like Huff's gospel-drenched piano on "I Stop By Heaven" or Vince Montana's vibes all over the album; and the streetwise lyrics with Whopper-sized messages. The album did so well that the association could only continue. So included in this package is the entire "Ice On Ice" album, with its own slew of memorable
tracks ("Moody Woman" "A Brand New Me" "Don't Let Love Hang You Up" "Walking Around In Teardrops"), and the couple of Gamble-Huff-Butler tracks that survived for the next album. This hit-making team was broken up due to a dispute over royalties (Gamble
and Huff claiming that Mercury held out on them). Kenny and Leon
moved on to other outside projects (Archie Bell), inside projects
(The O'Jays on the short-lived Neptune label), and finally, to the establishment of Philadelphia International Records. Jerry continued to record for Mercury for several more years, became even more involved in producing, songwriting, and developing new talent, and, eventually, wound up on Philly Int'l himself. One ofthe albums he recorded at P.I.R., "The Best Love," is easily his best work post-Mercury. Jerry is, today, a very successful politician in his native Chicago."

The Dawning Of The Philadelphia Sound !

P. D. Laffey | Hitchin | 01/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a long overdue cd containing two albums Jerry Butler released in the late Sixties . The albums are " The Ice Man Cometh " and " Ice On Ice " and they`re rightly regarded as underground soul classics . The songs on these albums are the equal to any of the Jerry Butler classics that he recorded in the early Sixties for Vee-Jay records , but what marks them out as important recordings is the fact that Jerry Butler co-wrote the songs with the young , up and coming songwriting duo , of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff , who also produced the albums .The following decade would see Gamble and Huff dominate the airwaves and charts with the classic Philadelphia sound . Bands such as The Ojays , Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes and many others would have countless hits throughout the Seventies with the Gamble/Huff midas touch . This cd is the blueprint for everything that was to follow , the Gamble and Huff sound is already in place , the songs are bona-fide Philadelphia classics , and if there was any justice they should have catapulted Jerry Butler to superstardom alongside The Ojays , Billy Paul etc , but alas , it was not to be . This essential release also has three added bonus tracks that are as majestic as the rest of the material found on this cd . It deserves to sell a million , but somehow I doubt it !"

Excellent!

E. Henry | 12/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the greatest CD's to purchase to bring back memories of the 60's. Needs to be in every music lovers library. Excellent!"