Sweet Southern Soul

Lou Johnson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 31, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Water
• ASIN: B0001XANVM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #346,861 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The high esteem in which Lou Johnson is held by soul collectors is sadly disproportionate to the size of his catalog -- he recorded only 10 singles and two albums in his ten year career. Sweet Southern Soul was his first album and, by common cognoscenti consensus, is also his best. Despite the fact that he started his career by working with Burt Bacharach and Hal David -- and recorded the original versions of several of their classic songs -- not much is known bout Lou Johnson. He doesn't appear to have been interviewed in his prime, and he nowadays lives reclusively. Fortunately, Johnson's recorded legacy speaks volumes for his talent.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars SSS is great, but not Lou's best album., February 26, 2005

By 

A. Pack "Music Voice" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sweet Southern Soul (Audio CD)

I'm glad that someone finally put at least one of Lou Johnson's albums back in print. I've been a long time fan of Lou Johnson's "booming" baritone voice. In the early 60's, he was sort of marketed as the male Dionne Warwick, having orginally released some of Burt Bacharach's songs even before Dionne. It's unfortunate, however that there isn't a compilation of some of these fine recordings including the old 45's of "Unsatisfied", "Park Avenue", "This Night", "Always Something There to Remind Me", and his biggest hit, "Reach out for Me". I think this would have been a better place to start for those not familiar with Lou Johnson's music. I do like "Sweet Southern Soul", however, except that copying a lot of soul artists of that time, Atlantic marketed him by having him sing some of the pop soul songs of the day -- not many originals here. If you really want to hear a superior album, scout around for an import copy of his Stax/Volt album, "With you in Mind". In my opinion, this album smokes SSS in quality, originality, and creativity. In a nutshell, SSS is a good album, but to me it doesn't do him proper justice considering what I know of his 60's releases and the forementioned album, "With You In Mind".

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Selections, Sound Letdown!, April 3, 2008

By 

rollo (usa) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sweet Southern Soul (Audio CD)

Lou Johnson is a real American treasure. A musicians musician who could read a newspaper and make it musical. Marginal Records has made a valiant effort to compile most of the great Lou Johnsons single recordings for Bell/Amy Records out of N.Y. and couple them with an early 70's album Lou made in New Orleans with Allen Toussaint. I am surprised at the Bell tracks that were not included here such as 'Kentucky Bluebird' and 'It Ain't No Use'. The fade in's at the beginning of each track is an indication or should I say a giveaway that 45 and/or 33 1/3 rpm records were probably used in the production this cd. The sound has been compromised but the music is first rate. Maybe Kent Records in England or sombody like that might re issue Lou Johnson's 60's music and give it the care that it deserves. The price of this CD is somewhat steep.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sme of the best soul singing I have ever heard, June 13, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Sweet Southern Soul (Audio CD)

Sweet Southern Soul is just a great album. There isn't a bad song on it. Lou Johnson's style is emotional and very energetic. On B.B. King's "Rock me Baby" Lou Johnson belts it out like he is singing gospel. This cd is just awesome. As obscure as Lou Johnson is he is still one of the best soul singer i have ever heard.