The Complete Goldwax Singles Volume 2 1966-1967 [Import]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 15, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Ace Records UK
• ASIN: B002GHBVPS
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,346 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. You've Got My Mind Messed Up - James Carr

2. That's What I Want To Know - James Carr

3. Leaning On You - Yo Yo's

4. I Can't Forget You - Yo Yo's

5. Hello Daughter - Leroy Daniel

6. Gonna Comb You Outta My Hair - Leroy Daniel

7. Trying To Make It - Oboe

8. I'm Just That Kind Of Fool For You - Oboe

9. Here It Is Now - Gene Bowlegs Miller

10. What Time Ye Got - Gene Bowlegs Miller

See all 28 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Me & My Imagination - The Ovations

2. They Say - The Ovations

3. Crying Baby, Baby, Baby - Percy Millem

4. Call on Me - Percy Millem

5. When You Look in the Mirror - Eddie Jefferson

6. Some Other Time - Eddie Jefferson

7. Dark End of the Street - James Carr

8. Loveable Girl- James Carr

9. Say You Need It - Barbara Perry

10. Unloveable - Barbara Perry

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

The second volume of The Complete Goldwax Singles sees us hit the labels golden period, where classic southern soul 45s pour out at a rate of knots. James Carr cements his place in the pantheon of great soul singers with a series of simply jaw-dropping singles. On this volume we have You Got My Mind Messed Up, Love Attack and Pouring Water On A Drowning Man before we get to Dark End Of The Street, the song that not only defined him, but quite possibly the whole southern soul genre.

Volume Two is not just James Carr: the Ovations made amazing 45s at this period of the labels history, as did soul man Spencer Wiggins, who serves up the sublime Uptight Good Woman, among others. Other brilliant slices of southern soul featured are from Percy Millem, Eddie Jefferson, George (Jackson) and (Dan) Greer and Barbara Perry.

As with Volume One, part of the fun of a complete singles compilation are the oddities and one-offs. Here are R&B dancers by Oboe, Ivory Joe Hunter and future hit-maker Timmy Thomas and fantastic Memphis garage from the Yo-Yos. We also see forays into the country market with Carmol Taylor, the Terrys and Kathy Davis singles. They usually included one side of the sort of ballad that bears a close relationship to the deepest country soul.

The Complete Goldwax Singles Volume 1 was the recipient of some fantastic reviews: featured in Mojo (½ page lead review), Uncut, and Record Collector. Anticipate more of the same with this new volume.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars VOLUME 2 GOLDWAX SINGLES EVEN BETTER THAN VOLUME 1 ?, September 29, 2009

By 

Stuart Jefferson (San Diego,Ca) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: The Complete Goldwax Singles Volume 2 1966-1967 (Audio CD)

Two discs 61,69 minutes each approximately. The sound is very good,remastered to Ace Record's usual high standards. The vocals are up front as they should be (especially the soul sides) and the backing instruments are crisp sounding. The booklet is informative-with track-by-track information on the various artists and singles,and color reproductions of the label's 45 single releases. For those listeners who,for whatever reason,have an aversion to "mono" recordings-many of these sides are just that-glorious mono sound.

This is the second of three releases of all the singles released by Goldwax,a small Memphis label. The time period of this collection is 1966-67. While the focus is on the many fine soul singles released by James Carr,Spencer Wiggins,and THE OVATIONS,there are also a number of relative oddities.

The garage band THE YO-YO's are represented by their take ("Leaning On You",etc.) on the British invasion sound,then currently popular. While the vocals are British inspired,the rhythm section is much grittier than most English bands of the time. Likewise,Leroy Daniels makes a fairly good pass at country music. Probably the Goldwax artist closest to a true country sound is Jeanne Newman,with her song "Little Things",among others.Oboe,who wanted to sing country music,released several novelty-style numbers on the label over the years. These are in the style of Ernie K. ("Mother -in-Law") Doe,only not as good. THE TERRY'S released a couple of sides on Goldwax in a country vein,but went nowhere. Likewise,Barbara Perry,who released singles for the label,sunk into obscurity afterwards. There are other artists on this collection,may of which relatively few listeners have ever heard of. But their music is always worth hearing,and some of it should have done better.

Soul music,in it's earthiest,grittiest style,is well represented. The well known James Carr ("You've Got My Mind Messed Up","The Dark End of the Street",etc.) has several singles on this collection,all of which are truly great. For those listeners who are unfamiliar with Carr,these will be an eye-opener. The great,but relatively unknown (except in Northern Soul circles) Spencer Wiggins ("Walking Out On You","Uptight Good Woman",etc.) likewise is well represented. If someone were deserving of more recognition for his vocal style,it's Wiggins. The Ace Records collection of his Goldwax singles is especially good,his down-home,earthy vocals are truly fine. On hearing THE OVATIONS,you will be excused if you think you're listening to the great (late) Sam Cooke. Lead singer Louis Williams is almost a dead-ringer for Cooke,both in voice and inflection. Their singles and albums sold fairly well at the time,and they are still a favorite of soul lovers everywhere. Ivory Joe Hunter,who was very popular earlier in his career,has several singles here that prove what a good singer he still was. Again,there are other artists who were releasing soul singles for this label,who,for whatever reason,never went much further than a local or regional hit. A few were deserving of more,but events didn't go their way.

This second volume of Goldwax singles,while heavier on their soul stars (Carr,Wiggins,THE OVATIONS) than the first volume,gives a good overview of what small southern labels were releasing during this important era. Soul,country,r&r,r&b,and novelty numbers were released in the ever present quest for a "hit".

For listeners who like this era of music,that small labels released in competition with larger record companies,this will be a treasure trove of great music. This volume may well be even better than the first volume. Hopefully,(and probably) the third,and final,volume will continue in this same vein. Anyone discounting these small label artists are missing a lot of good,sometimes,great music. Taken together,the amount of good music vastly out-weighs the lesser acts. But even those lesser acts are worth a listen-such was the quality found on the Goldwax label.