Customer Reviews

The Complete O.V. Wright on Hi Records, Vol. 1: In the Studio

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For those of us obsessed with "Deep Soul" you'll just have to have this because it's all of O.V. Wright's Hi Records cuts. Sure his voice is a little weaker here, and he's clearly under the influence at times, but some of the stuff he belts out are so hauntingly beautiful you'll just have to have it.

Even better, make sure you pick up the 2nd live disc as a companion. Truly wonderful.

For those of you not familiar with O.V. Wright, might I suggest you go pick you pick up some of his older MCA compilations and consider this disc after. Once you hear him, you'll just want more and more.

those people who say that his later music recorded on the Hi label is not as good as his earlier output on the Don Robie BACKBEAT label, are wrong. Just listen to the man's voice and interpretation of his material. Besides, how can any music produced by willie Mitchell be bad? Plus, you have backup by the Hi Rhythm Section (the Hodges Brothers plus the great Howard Grimes on drums, with his trademark emphasis on the second and fourth beat), and The Memphis Horns! If you like soul music, then you will love this CD.

Nothing really changed...The Deep Soul was still there...It was just that Disco & Soul music was REALLY undergoing some massive changes, but Willie Mitchell and Company (Hi Records) REFUSED to go along with those changes when it came to: Ann Peebles, Otis Clay, and O.V. Wright. This 2 (Two) Disc Set covers ALL 30 (Thirty) Studio Recordings or ALL 3 (Three) Albums O.V. Wright recorded for Hi Records ("Into Something", "The Bottom Line", and "We're Still Together"), Plus 2 (Two) Single Only Tracks: "Rhymes" and "Without You". "Without You" is from a poor quality tape. You think they would have used a Mint/Unplayed Single...Why? We'll never know. It should be noted that the final 2 (Two) Tracks are NOT by O.V. Wright, but some Demo's that was probley for O.V. to record, but he never got around to it, and BOTH of these Tracks SHOULD NOT HAVE EVEN BEEN INCLUDED...Thank God they are at the very end of Disc 2 :)

I would list the 'Killer' Tracks, but No! I'm not gonna do that (It's just too many to list). I will list the Billboard Charted Singles O.V. Wright had during his years at Hi Records: "Rhymes" (#87), "Into Something" (#43), "Precious, Precious" (#50), and "I Don't Do Windows" (#91). Do yourself a favor....Go and buy this Compact Disc! Deep Soul don't...No! CAN'T get no better than this!!!

O.V. Wright has so much soul it's unbelievable that he isn't nearly as famous as Al Green. Don't miss out on him, he was one of the most (constantly) soulful singer to ever walk the face of this earth. As mentioned by a previous reviewer, O.V. Wright's pre-Hi records career has received much more attention (Although it was also recorded with producer genius and recently departed Willie Mitchell). Check for yourself but this is AMAZING material here, just buy it and you won't regret it. Just take any song, like "I Don't Know Why" for instance. It's far from being the most famous song on this double album, and yet, I am sure it's the best thing you've heard in a while.

This is an excellent CD if you like this era of music. It is a great collection!

This album is truly music to my ears. I remember O.V. from my childhood years. His sound reminds me of my mother and her girlfriends giving Friday night cardgames/fish fries and all of the fond memories of that era