Customer Reviews

Classic Masters

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Joe South . . . songwriter extraordinaire! . . . he's penned some of the classic songs of the american sixties era . . . songs which stand the test of time even today.

"Walk A Mile In My Shoes" (before you criticize and abuse . . . walk a mile in my shoes. . . ) --- "Games People Play" (every night and every day . . . people walkin' up to ya . . shoutin' glory halleluia . . and they try to sock it to ya . . .in the name of the lord.) --- "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden" -- a classic pop/country song recently re-done by Martina McBride --- "Hush" for The Monkeys ----"Down In The Boondocks' for Billy Joe Royal ---

And my own favorite of Joe South and his own recording of it: "Don't It Make You Want To Go Home" . . . memories of times and things past still present in our thoughts and hearts . . nostalgia at its best and most poignant.

All of these tracks and more are on this 24 bit digitally remaster cd of Joe Souths recordings -- a total of 12 tracks.

This colection will be enjoyed and treasured by anyone . . those old enough to remember when they were first recorded . . and by those too young to remember that time, but who will be introduced to Joe South and his music for the first time with this cd collection.

As a footnote,Joe South played guitar (as only Joe South can play) on Bob Dylan's "Blonde On Blonde" two record set . . . he's part of music history . . . a true artist . . . and his lyrcs are filled with meaning and import . . . even today. . . especially today!

Thank you Joe South for writing, performing and recording these great musical gifts . . . they will be appreciated for decades and devades yet to come by people yet unborn.

A handy 12-song summation of the hippie-era recording career of songwriter Joe South, a twangy, soul-drenched pop genius who wrote a remarkable string of smash radio hits, ranging from Lynn Anderson's "Rose Garden," one of the defining moments in the 'Seventies countrypolitian scene, to the thunderous hard rock anthem, "Hush," which put the band Deep Purple on the map. South's own versions of these songs are markedly different than the hits -- his "Rose Garden" is cluttered and compact, while his "Hush" is wildly funky and fun. Also included here are "Games People Play," a top Pop hit for South himself in 1969, as well as "Walk A Mile In My Shoes," which was one of his few actual country entries, and several lesser well-known gems from his back catalog. It's more rock than country, but still funky and down home, and worth checking out to see how these great songs found their genesis.

Although I don't have this particular CD as more thorough retrospectives have been compiled, Atlanta native Joe Souter (a.k.a. Joe South) is one of the unsung heroes in popular music as although a few of his hits peaked in the top 40 in pop and/or country, as noted, mostly other artists had hits with his material. This CD does contain 12 of the most influential songs in all of popular music including his only top 40 pop chart hits, Games People Play and Walk A Mile In My Shoes. Other notable songs on this include his versions of Hush (one of the first hits of Deep Purple internationally), Rose Garden (a #1 hit for Lynn Anderson), Down In The Boondocks (Billy Joe Royal's signature song), and Don't It Make You Want To Go Home (a top 40 country hit for Joe) among others. This is the only midline priced Joe South collection in print as the most comprehensive domestic comps, 1990's "The Best of Joe South" and 1997's "Retrospect: The Best of Joe South," are both out of print, but Raven in Australia has issued "Anthology: A Mirror of His Mind -- Hits and Highlights 1968-1975" and a twofer of his first 2 Capitol albums, 1968's "Introspect" and "Don't It Make You Want To Go Home" and with these choices, you get more for your money instead of this skimpy 12 song collection of only his very few signature songs.

I'VE OWNED THE ORIGINAL ALBUM TITLED INTROSPECTIVE. jOE IS A GREAT WRITER OF BALLADS AND A GREAT VOICE. HE WROTE EVRY SONG ON THIS ALBUM. HAS WRITTEN FOR OVER 125 ARTISTS. ALWAYS WORTH LISTENING TO.

Joe South's fire burned fast and hard, leaving behind enough solid-gold work that music will never forget he was there. This sampling of his Muscle Shoals rock-and-soul, with a hearty dose of C&W for good measure, puts on one disc the tracks that made him an icon, as a songwriter and a musician. At this sweet price, it's nice to have these tracks by someone who's been unjustly forgotten by a world he helped transform.

Several songs on this list were hits for other artists. From Billy Joe Royal to Elvis Presley, South's songs penetrated the business in a hurry. Hearing the songwriter's version is enlightening. For instance, Lynn Anderson's version of "Rose Garden" is probably cleaner, and it's no surprise she had the hit. But South's original version of "Hush" has a ringing clarity that Deep Purple could only wish to recapture.

It's also notable how many tracks are socially engaged, and more important, how they haven't dated. There's a reason "Games People Play" remains legendary, but "These Are Not My People" and "Children," though not well known, have a similar engagement with the problems of the world. Joe South was a Georgia-flavored conscience for a world that needs to question itself more often, and his songs remain remarkably pertinent.

Joe South continues to write and record, though his hit-maker days are past. This collection of his work at the peak of his popularity is an affordable reminder of what makes musical greatness, and what heights American music can aspire to reach. Joe South is a legend of the same stripe as Gram Parsons, he deserves to be remembered, and these tracks make remembering easy and inexpensive.

A few years ago I told someone on the internet about a certain song by Joe South (Walk A Mile In My Shoes). Well that person was excited that I liked country music too. But was stunned to learn that Joe South had nothing to do with C/W. Now I don't know what Joe's up to these days, but his music at the time were of life lessons. Civil Rights issues, and the new age of man-kind.

Georgia guy makes good! and makes great music from the mid-60's.
This is an excellent cd of his best songs during the Woodstock era.
This cd is very clear and showcases Joe's lush, baritone vocals in every
song featured in this collection. His interpretation of the songs here
are soulful and powerful.

AT age 12, my friend, Melanie and I were at a venue, with my Mom and
Dad, somewhere in Atlanta in 1969. The location escapes me, however,
the music was wonderful. So, here we are, I was a red-headed freckled faced
Irish kid, Melanie had blue eyes and lovely long blonde hair to her waist.
When Joe finished a set, he welcomed the crowd to Atlanta and to his small
concert in the middle of the store. Look at the crowd, he announced.
" And here is what it's all about, our reason to live, our children,
our beautiful Georgia children! " I just knew he was going to grab Melanie and put her on the stage to show off these ' beautiful Georgia
children' Imagine my shock, when he leaned down from this stage and
pulled me up into his arms and onto the stage!! I nearly fainted from
sheer excitment. Then, he kissed me!!! WOW!!!

I never forgot his kindness that day, and picking me over my friend,
who did, in fact, grow up to be a Georgia beauty.

Thanks Joe, wherever, you are now.
This Georgia girl still thinks you're the coolest!

If you are a casual fan of Joe South this is a fine purchase. Some reviewers stated the sound was not faithful to the originals on LP... (talk'n bout you and me - and the games people play). But I personally found the sound quality to be excellent. GREAT MUSIC from Joe South. I even love the picture on the cover and the Coool late 60'S or early 70's shirt!

I live in Covington Ga. If i'm not mistaken Joe's six lane highway,drive-in show, and dragstrip down by the riverside are about 8 miles up the road from my house. In highschool, we were told that it was. I adored his music. It's so truthful and honest and real in this world of games!
Wherever you are Joe, God Bless You!
I had this album on 8 track tape in 1969, and someone stole it out of my car. Back then we did not lock our doors. I was pure sick! This is a must have it CD.
Melissa
P. S. I miss him.

This Cd brought back a lot of memory's. I remember these songs when they were new. I used to listen to them on AM Radio. This CD is great addition to your music collection. Even if you haven't heard Joe South. A lot of these songs were in the top of the chart.