Customer Reviews

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Arthur Alexander may have been overshadowed by the performers who covered his songs (the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bee Gees, etc), but he was never out-performed by his peers.

Like most baby boomers, I first became aware of Alexander when the Beatles covered "Anna" on The Early Beatles. Then about ten years ago I picked up a used copy of a mid-Eighties Rhino release called Beatle Originals. It featured thirteen original versions of songs that the Beatles covered on their early albums. Among the tracks was Alexander's touching version of "Anna." Lennon did a nice job of copying Alexander's vocal style and it would show up again on songs like "In My Life." [Lennon would also provide the lead vocal on another of Alexander's songs, "Soldier of Love," which can be heard on Live At The BBC.]

Alexander shared something else in common with Lennon besides great taste in song selection. They were both born in 1940. Why Alexander's Beatles connection never resulted in a major career boost is puzzling. His only Top 40 hit was the tender "You Better Move On" in 1962.

This is terrific country-soul from one of the music world's best but mostly forgotten talents. In Dave Marsh's book The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made, he included both "Anna" and "Soldier of Love." This is a fitting tribute to an amazing singer. Alexander died of a heart attack in 1993. This Ace collection covers all the highlights from his tenure at Dot and belongs in in any serious collector's music library. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Despite having his compositions covered by both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in the sixties Arthur Alexander never quite caught the break that would have put him over the top. That's the soul fan's misfortune too as Arthur lingered in obscurity until his untimely passing. This collection does a great job of bringing Arthur Alexander out of the shadows and it is essential listening for fans of countrified soul music. 'Anna' is probably the best known song here having been covered by the Beatles, but this version easily outpaces theirs. The Stones did a nice version of 'You Better Move On', but again, Arthur's is the one to own. It became patently obvious to this listener that Mr. Jagger spent some time checking out the vocal style of Arthur Alexander. You should too.

Imagine that you had never heard the Supremes, Temptatons, Four Tops or Isley Bros. Then someone gave you their greatest hits. Imagine how blown away you would be. That's kinda how I felt listening to these great songs by a great singer who seemed to be a really great guy. I would rate all of these songs as 3s, 4s and 5s. The arrangements reflect the times (early 60s and 1987), but they are very nice.

I actually was turned onto Arthur Alexander in the early 90's while attending college in a small town in Alabama. There was a radio show I liked listening to and one night they had a gentleman on who collected and sold old music (mostly 45's and albums). During the show he sampled some of the artists he had of which Arthur Alexander was one. He played the song "Anna Go To Him" which really grabbed me.

Well, some ten years later I found this CD and bought it. I can honestly say it's one of the best CD purchases I have made in a long time. You know how many times, you buy a cd/record for one particular hit and are disappointed with the rest of it.....not in this case. THE WHOLE cd has some of the best music on it that will grab you, make you sad and happy all at the same time. The music is 50's soul with a real country feel to it.

Mr. Alexander's voice has a sadness and strength to it that makes you want to listen to more. I've been listening to while I drive to and from work and have really enjoyed this soulful singer.

Wow!!! I LOVE Arthur Alexander and I can't stop listening to this CD. I think I am like a lot of others, had only ever heard the song "Anna" from time to time, which I have ALWAYS adored. Or perhaps more accurately, bits and pieces of it on the radio (like Al Bundy, LOL). Based on that song, I should have run right out a long time ago to buy a whole album (yes, ALBUM, LOL) But I didn't and feel like an idiot. But better late than never, I finally bought this CD, the first compilation of his songs I have every heard, and was completely blown away. His voice, that southern accent, the emotion...I am not embarrassed to say, I was driving down the road, tears streaming down my face...It's just that, you know how music can do this to you? Just finally put a finger on something you've been feeling lately, some subtle feeling you didn't even know how to name, and then when you hear it, it might be the person's voice, the turn of a phrase, a certain melody, but it resonates with your whole life at that point, you know? So that was me when I first heard these songs. And no, I am NOT driving the down the road crying anymore, LOL, but I still can't get enough of this guy's music. So, if you don't yet know Arthur Alexander, don't wait, get this CD, honest!

This is an excellent CD. It is unfortunate that Arthur Alexander was not promoted more here in the USA. He has a tremendous voice and his delivery is amazing. Wish I had known about him earlier. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS CD !!!!

(***CD REVIEW: The only thing that bugs me on an otherwise perfect CD is inclusion of a producer's in-studio remarks to AA introducing a couple tunes. After one play, it's unnecessary and irritating. ***)... The rarest of artists in his time: A great singer whose best tunes were self-penned. As a fan, I nonetheless see some clear reasons why AA didn't 'make it big': 1/His material's range was too broad for audiences of the time to accept from one artist: Pop, Country-Western, R&B, R&R, Blues. Rockabilly, Tex-Mex, Latin rythms, even Show Tunes. I know it worked for Ray Charles, but this brings up another issue:2/AA was not as technically perfect a vocalist as the best singers of his era.

Like most folks, I suppose, I came to Arthur Alexander via the Beatles. "Anna" was on their first British LP. The BBC sessions include "Soldier of Love" and "Shot of Rhythm and Blues." I bought this CD to listen to those songs, basically. But I was delighted to find there are so many other strong tracks, as well. I can see why the Beatles, and other British groups of that era, admired Alexander's work. It has a haunting quality. I don't know if you'd call Alexander a great singer in the classic sense, but he had a way of expressing feeling that you don't get from more polished singers. I listen to this over and over.

Ever since I saw that episode of Married With Children I haven't been able to get "Anna" out of my head. So, I finally bit the bullet and bought the album. I own the Arthur Alexander tribute album and if I remember, Anna was covered by Roger McGuinn. But, I had an urge to own the original recording. Alexander was awesome.

This is great stuff from the hit area of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He is truly a special, mostly unrecognized artist. You will not be disappointed with this CD. I just wish it had "Some Day I have To Cry Some" included. That would give it the full 5 stars. But, get it anyway, you will love it. And, if you are really a fan, check out the book, "Shot of Rhythm and Blues" and read about his crazy life. He barely made a dime and yet he wrote the songs that were covered by the Beatles, Stones, and Bob Dylan. What a talent. He died over 10 years ago.
Ray Lindstrom, Laughlin, NV