Customer Reviews

Best of

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THE BEST OF WET WILLIE is just what it says. While other Southern boogie bands based their sound on heavy guitars and/or extended jamming, Wet Willie went for an R&B/gospel-based style as rooted in Ray Charles, Stax/Volt, and Motown as in the Allman Brothers Band. Which is not to say that Wet Willie couldn't turn up the guitars when it wanted, such as on "Dixie Rock" and "No No No." On the other hand, "Grits Ain't Groceries" and "Baby Fat" are pure funk numbers. While not nearly as guitar-intensive as the Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Marshall Tucker Band, or the Outlaws, Wet Willie were just as good in their own unique way. The fact that the band weren't given the recognition they deserved (only one major hit, the Top 10 "Keep On Smilin'") is just one more reason for high school music appreciation teachers to assign their students homework for over the summer, even if it spoils the kids' vacations. That way, maybe Jimmy Hall and the gang will get the respect and recognition they deserve.

WET WILLIE-GREATEST HITS: One of southern rock's best kept secrets, the blooze/rock/country/gospel/(insert musical genre here) ensemble known as Wet Willie never scaled the commercial heights of their Capricorn label-mates the Allman Brothers or Marshall Tucker...but not for lack of talent! The pleasurable reggae-tinged romper KEEP ON SMILIN' is the only bona fide smash on this rowdy roundup, but don't let that phase you. Sanctifyin' lead vocal wailer, sax/harp blaster Jimmy Hall gooses these boogie boys through savory STAX-channeled RNB shouters like Otis Redding's frantic SHOUT BAMALAMA and LITTLE MILTON's GRITS AIN'T GROCERIES with authentic soul power. Their own earthy compositions such as instrumental workout RED HOT CHICKEN, twanger-banger DIXIE ROCK, and funk infested stew EVERYTHING THAT 'CHA DO WILL COME BACK TO YOU keeps the party hale 'n hearty. Though they scored a couple of slicker minor hits (STREET CORNER SERENADE, WEEKENDS) a few years later for another record company, GREATEST HITS is still the best place to start Wettin' your appetite for Willie.

RATING: FIVE WET ONES

There are two other "best of" collections-neither as good as this one. Jimmy Hall sings great(he still does)and the band seldom overplayed. Ricky Hirsch went on to play with some other folks, but never sounded as good on guitar as he does here. Will someone please rerelease "Drippin' Wet"????????????...

If you really want Wet Willie's best, skip this and go for "Drippin' Wet."

have been a willie fan since left coast live! to much fun..yippee.. jimmy hall is one talent that should not waste away. but hey, keep on smilin,wet willies best of is one happy ,fun cd, baby fat ! thats where its at! hahaha! everyone needs a good souhern red neck party. and this is the cd......