Singin Some Soul [Original recording remastered, Import]

Joe Bataan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 4, 1999)
• Format: Original recording remastered, Import
• Label: Import [Generic]
• ASIN: B0000506TM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #655,651 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. My Cloud

2. I'm No Stranger

3. Under the Street Lamp

4. I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (Than I Was Today)

5. More Love

6. Unwed Mother

7. Young, Gifted and Brown

8. Ordinary Guy

9. Cowboys to Girls

10. Crystal Blue Persuasion

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Soul Of New York City, October 23, 2000

By 

Greg C (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Singin Some Soul (Audio CD)

If ever an album deserved the title of "lost classic," here it is. Joe Bataan, an Afro-Filipino native of Spanish Harlem, became a star in the community when he and his young, rough-and-tumble band figured out the connection between Latin and African-American sounds and conquered the younger segment of the Latin market with a string of late 60s smashes including "Gypsy Woman," "Ordinary Guy," "What Good Is A Castle" and "Riot." Joe's technically-flawed but soulfully affecting Everyman vocals told tales of underclass strife and pride with some of New York's roughest neighborhoods as a backdrop. Even the love songs usually worked in references to poverty. By the time this record was recorded in 1970, Joe felt ready to try his hand at an album of pure R&B without any Latin rhythms and the result is sheer delight. Utilizing a mixture of Detroit, Philadelphia and Chicago soul influences, yet still maintaining its essential New York-ness, "SSS" is a joyful if somewhat dated classic of its era, and it remains extremely infectious and appealing. The string and horn parts remind the listener of the demise of "arrangements" in popular music, and the vocals and songs ("Under The Street Lamp," "Young Gifted & Brown," "Unwed Mother") come literally straight from the heart. This album also contains the BEST version of "Crystal Blue Persuasion" ever recorded, as well as great covers of Smokey Robinson and Intruders songs. Truly beautiful, at once touching and uplifting, and yet another album that is long overdue for greater exposure and discovery. "SSS" is one of only two albums of its type in Joe's rich catalog. It's short, just about 30 minutes, but unlike most of today's albums, every second counts! Thanks, Joe!

5.0 out of 5 stars Joe Bataan, April 19, 2010

By 

Alfred M. Martin (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Singin Some Soul (MP3 Download)

Joe Bataan is and was a gifted, remarkable and unique artist. He is technically in a class by himself.

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Cloud, I wish you love, etc, February 13, 2001

By 

Rachel Avila (Whittier, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Singin Some Soul (Audio CD)

I listened to Joe Bataan back in the 70's and everyone knew about his music. It is truly vintage r&b. I highly recommend Bataan to anyone who likes the "old school sound". I also saw him in concert in 1999 with MEGA radio station and he still sounds awesome ... and looks good too.