Customer Reviews

It's Harder Now

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wilson Pickett's first new release in almost 20 years shows that he hasn't lost a thing, picking up where he left off with his raw, soulful vocals. It is refreshing to hear a CD void of synthesizers and gimmicks...only real horns, organs and guitars here. This CD makes you want to get up and dance. Don't miss this rare work of soul.

Wilson Pickett, one of the most dynamic soul performers of the 60's-early 70's, returns, seemingly from oblivion, to demonstrate to a hip-hop-drenched world that every musical form has it's own unique strenghts and gifts to give to the people. In point, Pickett's music on the CD mirrors the great stuff he cranked out of Muscle Shoals in the sixties with Steve Cropper and others, and it's like nothing else on the planet. Nothing, absolutely nothing, moves like soul. And Pickett is one of the kings of the genre. The control of his voice seems better than ever...no one could ever scream better than Wilson....and the choice of material runs the gamut of pure sex, lost love, happy party music, cheatin' songs, and social commentary so well conveyed by soul. Furthermore, when you hear Pickett sing it, you believe it! The recording is clean, without the common gimmickry seen today, and the instrumentation is pure sixties---horns, guitar, bass, drums, backup singers. The faithful probably thought that they'd never hear something like this again. But anyone who goes to the popular movies knows a bunch of soul tunes...they're part of our life's fabric, no matter how old we are. And just when you think that old fabric will crumble from age, Wilson Pickett drops by to weave some new cloth!

Wilson Pickett's new album proves without a doubt that he is still the prince of soul. It may be harder now, but it still sounds and feels just as real and inspired as any recording from his heyday in the 1960's. I think this album succeeds because it sticks with a recipe that works--the inside cover includes a note from Pickett himself: "This album contains no samples, loops, or digital instruments. All of the music was performed by actual musicians in real time without click tracks." Not many recordings these days could make that claim, and no recording I've heard lately has sounded as alive and authentic--two extremely important characteristics of good soul music. Highly recommended.

The first time I heard this cd was in between sets at a blues-jazz club on the house sound system. I noticed that it caught the attention of many, and in a town (Albany, NY) where most don't feel compelled to dance unless intoxicated, I was struck by how many were just spontaneously bumping and grinding to the catchy songs. Oh, this is some funky soul and despite his drugs and weapons escapades of the past two decades Wilson's voice is intact and demands your attention. Great mixing by the legendary Eddie Kramer puts this cd into the 5 star category.

It's been a modern tragedy that the music and genius of Wilson Pickett has been largely lost, reduced to airplay at sorry college fraternity "retro" parties and the like. These rich southern soul gospel roots deserve much better and "It's Harder Now" is a good start! Today's tin sounding soul pretenders and rappers would be wise to listen and learn from this music and the master! Buy this!

Finally, a southern soul record in the 90's that harkens back to the golden era in the 60's. There hasn't been to many of those lately - only Dan Penn's Do Right Man and Percy Sledge's Blue Night come to mind. But now, add another one to that list, Wilson Pickett's It's Harder Now. Containing all the raw energy, all the screams, and all the passion Pickett is known for, It's Harder now IS the real raw deal. Check out the songs Taxi Love, What's Under That Dress and It's All About Sex and you realize Pickett's got one thing on his mind. They don't call him Wicked for nothing. Highly recommended for anyone who needs a taste of that classic southern soul sound.

Wilson Pickett was in top voice for this 1999 project. Of course, the perfect blend of songwriting and production of the mid-60's is a never-to-be recreated reality, for -anyone-, but of all the greats from that time, WP is the one who kept 100% of his tone and power, (the material and production is acceptable, don't get me wrong). The "He could sing the phone book..." line,usually applied to Sinatra and other jazzy vocalists, makes the most sense to me when applied to Pickett; it's all about the force, passion, and raw TONE that no one ever forgets. After Wilson, most singers simply don't sound commited.*********RIP: ...... Johnny Taylor .... Curtis Mayfield .... James Carr ...... Rufus Thomas ....... Ernie K-Doe ....... Luther Van Dross ..... Little Milton ...... Ray Charles .....Tyrone Davis .... Lou Rawls .... Wilson Pickett.....it's been a bad 21st century for soul.**********

Wilson Pickett has lost nothing since he "found a love" with the Falcons! His new tracks have the intensity and tight arrangements that made his a soul superstar in the '60's. This man still has it and he doesn't spare it in this CD. Well worth getting - I only wish it had been longer.

After more than a decade, Wilson Pickett is back. Wilson's voice is just as strong and gruff as it always has been. The songs are not of the caliber of Pickett's hits at Atlantic in the 60's but this CD is a lot of fun. The production is a little more raw and Pickett is more blues on this outing. They don't call Pickett Wicked for nothing and several of the songs are sexual in nature ("Making Love on the Outskirts of Town", "What's under that Dress?", or "All About Sex"). You get the idea. Anyway we're glad that Wicked Wilson Pickett is back and hopefully this will not be a one time thing.

You'll need a damp towel to cool yourself off and clean yourself up after listening to the latest effort of the "Wicked One". It may be harder now, but Wilson is far from being too old.

A must for your "romance" collection. It really works!