Bradly Briggs | TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA | 11/07/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Late fifties Lloyd Price released awesome mega-hits such as "Stagger Lee" and "Personality" crossing over to pop charts making him one of the most successful soul masters to achieve this amazing feat in the segregated dark-age fifties. This was the era where white singers covered songs sung by black artists who were only played on R&B stations and this was reality before liberal sixties came along and did away with this pathetic practice! Earlier in the fifties Lloyd Price scored big with classics such as "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" beautifully covered by Elvis in the late sixties on his legendary TV special but nobody could sing a Lloyd Price song like Mr. Price and he sold them by the millions and this collection is a fine place to start enjoying this legendary talent. Lloyd Price did a fine soulful version of "Misty" in the sixties but disappeared from the music scene after which was a shame but thankfully collections such as this can take one back to a master in his prime. Remembering late fifties as a child gifted and uniquely soulful black singers who really stood out were Jackie Wilson, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, Clyde McPhatter, Dee Clark, Brook Benton, Fat's Domino and Lloyd Price...not a bad group to be connected with!!!"
All his great hits right here
Old Guy | 01/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"All songs are original radio versions hits as you remember them, which isn't always the case with 20th century series. If you're a Lloyd Price fan, or if you're a collector of 50's and 60's hits like I am, you'll want this one."
A True Original
Socrates Stewart | Owings Mills, MD | 12/06/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Lloyd Price is a true original whose work set the stage for other artists to come. His uptempto R&B with great hooks and memorable melodies helped pave the way for Marvin Gaye and other great soul singers of the mid 60's. Check out "Stagger Lee," "Lawdy Miss Claudie," and "Personality."
Yes, the sound does sound dated, but take a trip back to the 1950's and hear one of the grand daddies of sweet soul music."
Wonderful music from the incomparable Lloyd Price
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 05/16/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love to hear Lloyd Price sing; he breathed a lot of life into everything he ever performed and just one listen to this CD proves it! Lloyd's ability to cross over from R&B into pop displays his superior talent as well. Lloyd is at his usual very best on this album and there's not a dud in the bunch. In addition, the quality of the sound is excellent and that artwork is nicely done even if it is fairly standard for this CD series.
"Stagger Lee" in and of itself is a tour de force for Lloyd; he does this with panache and he belts out those lyrics like the pro he always was and still remains! Indeed, Lloyd's "Stagger Lee" remains a classic to this day. The background chorus wasn't really necessary; Lloyd's genius was more than enough to let him handle this tune on his own but they do sound pretty good anyway. "Just Because" has a fine R&B flavor to it; and Lloyd never lets go of a single superfluous note. I'm very impressed; and that music fits in perfectly with Lloyd Price's vocals. "Where Were You (On Our Wedding Day?)" is also very well done; and listen for Lloyd Price to do a superb job on "Lawdy Miss Clawdy." "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" is a big highlight of this album and it's no wonder--Lloyd performs this with panache and that music has a wonderful beat--and how's about that piano and brass?
"I'm Gonna Get Married" features Lloyd Price doing yet another wonderful job to deliver this with all his heart and soul; it's a pleasure to listen to over and over again. "Come into My Heart" also holds its own very well; and I love it! Lloyd croons faultlessly on ballads like this one; and that's grand. "Wont'cha Come Home" uses that fantastic winning formula that made Lloyd Price a household name while "Never Let Me Go" uses the strings to great advantage on this most poignant and romantic number. The background chorus harmonizes faultlessly, too.
"Lady Luck" has Lloyd squarely front and center with an excellent arrangement to frame his singing; and "No If's - No And's" is great even though the music on this particular track sounds muddied just a bit. "Question" gets the royal treatment from Lloyd as he makes this number shine brighter than silver and gold combined--and wow, how the album closes strong with one of my very favorite Lloyd Prices tunes, "Personality." "Personality" was always one of my favorite tunes and it is sublime and unforgettable at once in Lloyd's more than capable hands.
Lloyd Price gave so much of himself whenever he performed; and we are truly better off for his having shared his talent with us. This is a must-have for any Lloyd Price fan; and it certainly makes a fine starter CD for anyone just discovering his magical artistry.