Me And Mrs. Jones: The Best Of Billy Paul

Billy Paul | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 6, 1999)
• Original Release Date: April 6, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000IIWW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,857 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Billy Paul might've been just an archetypal '70s Philly-soul love man with a slightly over-formal jazz-trained voice, melodramatic arrangements, and one great cheating song (the title track), but there was a side of him that was a revolutionary dressed as a Casanova: some of his best crooning was in the service of black power. Curtis Mayfield's early solo work is the obvious template for epics such as "Black Wonders of the World," but recasting Paul McCartney's "Let 'Em In" as a civil rights anthem is a stroke of genius only a populist like Billy Paul could've had. The lighter, more apolitical songs here sometimes stagger under their Gamble-Huff production, but when Paul gets a chance to cut loose and jazz up a Dylan tune with a piano trio, it's a treat. --Douglas Wolk

Product Description

One of the many men and women who could be called "The Pride of Philly" during the '70s. Here are 14 of his best, including the #1 hit title track and Thanks for Saving My Life; Am I Black Enough for You; Billy's Back Home; Let 'Em In , and more. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent Billy Paul Sampler, October 4, 2000

By 

James A. Allio "aheyheynow" (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Me And Mrs. Jones: The Best Of Billy Paul (Audio CD)

This is a decent sampling of Billy Paul's work with the Sound of Philadelphia and Gamble and Huff, the genius Dexter Wansel, et al, although by no means complete or exhaustive. Naturally the international adultery smash, "Me and Mrs. Jones," anchors this set, and other familiar Paul numbers are here, too, like the sweetly sentimental "Billy's Back Home," matter-of-fact "Be Truthful to Me" and slammin' upbeat "Thanks for Saving My Life," my personal favorite. Paul has a husky, emotional voice which he uses with intelligence and serious jazz flavored style, often employing his gift in order to teach ("Black Wonders of the World") and enlighten (Paul McCartney's "Let 'Em In"). Several standards ("Bluesette," "Your Song") are included here, and Billy sings the hell out of them. As I mentioned, this set is by no means complete, however. Any Billy Paul collection that does not include his take on "Brown Baby" or the rueful "The Whole Town's Talking" can only be an introduction to this great talent.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Philly Soul classics~Bravo Billy Paul!, May 29, 2004

By 

Bradly Briggs (TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Me And Mrs. Jones: The Best Of Billy Paul (Audio CD)

Rich mellow tones with lots of passion make Billy Paul a peerless singer who is another "Unsung" sadly overlooked legendary icon even with #1 Masterpiece "Me And Mrs. Jones" one of the biggest hits of the seventies and all the rest in this great collection match that classic! Dexter Wansel wrote and the brilliant Bobby Martin arranged the sentimental and moody "Billy's Back Home" plus the engrossing Gamble/Huff "Black Wonders Of The World" which is a mesmerizing musical journey with Billy all over the map with a totally amazing vocal unlike anything I have ever heard in my life and guaranteed you will use the repeat button more than once on this gripping masterpiece! Billy steals "Let 'Em In" from Paul McCartney and makes an anthem for equality while saluting greats of the past making this cooker an unforgettable experience. As this great collection progresses one realizes no male voice quite matches this one with a wonderful loose jazz sense that is winning and unique. "Be Truthful To Me" has a driving rhythm and a great soulful vocal that is amazing being so loose and funky...stunning Elton cover is flowing and engrossing making "Your Song" one to enjoy over and over...so loose and soulful is this incredible singer taking all these great songs making them his own & this fantastic collection is one to enjoy over and over and over as it flows great and what a voice..."Thanks For Saving My Life" is another awesome cooker and every song throughtout this incredible collection will blow away any music lover and must be great seeing this music man live...Bravo Billy!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some of the best songs Billy has recorded, April 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Me And Mrs. Jones: The Best Of Billy Paul (Audio CD)

I have been a Billy Paul fan for many years. I have most of his recorded music. I am really excited to see so many of my favorite songs on one album. Billy is a legendary artist with a unique vocal style that cannot be duplicated by any other singer. I look forward to the time that his new album is released. ALL THE BEST TO YOU BILLY!!!!