Customer Reviews

Cry Tough

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What a joy it is to see this album. I pulled it out last evening and gave it the 100th or so once over and was still smiling ear to ear before, during, and after, the listen.

Ellis is the crooner par excellence in the rocksteady game, and this collection proves it and then some. His relationship with the legendary Duke Reid allowed Ellis carte blanche to do what he did best-not only write brilliant original tunes, but also take popular soul or R&B tunes from the era and making them so much reggae and his iwn that they superceded the term "cover tune."

And what tunes this lp has. Many cover tunes grace this lp, and after a few listens, one begins to appreciate Ellis' gift for making them his own. In many cases, including on Chuck Jackson's "Willow Tree," the Delfonics' clasic "La La Means I Love You," Junior Walker's "What Does It Take," and Blood Sweat and Tear's anthem "You Make Me So Very Happy," Ellis' renditions are so amazing that you almost forget that he didn't pen those tunes.

And the tunes he DID pen on this compilation are no less amazing. "Why Birds Follow Spring" is a gorgeous showcase for Ellis, as his voice fills the room, soaring over the equally great backing vocals. Other great originals include the understated "If I Could Rule This World," "Cry Tough," Ellis' reply to the Rude Boy movement (led by the Wailers) that he so disliked, "Can't Stand It," which U-Roy would make a hit in the late 70's, and Ellis' socially aware masterpiece, the touching "Black Man,White Man" (also known as "Black Man's Pride")

This compilation is a perfect look into the mind and inner workings of the Duke Reid era Ellis, who's voice insipred the likes of Gregory Isaacs and Dennis Brown, among many. The voice is amazing, as is the cd. A must have.

I would have to say this is the perfect place to start if you are just starting to get into Alton Ellis or Rocksteady. Ellis has one of the most expressive voices I've ever heard and it really comes out on these recordings. I was going to list some of the highlights of this album, but I can't think of a song I wouldn't recommend. Everything on this album, from the originals to the covers, is amazing.

Not much to say except this is a gorgeously sweet, rhythmic album. Cream in your coffee, water clear as gine. I can go for weeks playing it every day.