Ultimate Arthur Alexander

Arthur Alexander | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 15, 1993)
• Original Release Date: August 3, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Razor & Tie
• ASIN: B000002ZCX
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,100 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. You Better Move On

2. Soldier of Love (Lay Down Your Arms)

3. Shot of R&B

4. Anna (Go to Him)

5. Every Day I Have to Cry Some

6. Call Me Lonesome

7. Detroit City

8. In the Middle of It All

9. Pretty Girls Everywhere

10. Go Home Girl

11. Whole Lot of Trouble

12. I Hang My Head and Cry

13. You Don't Care

14. Keep Her Guessing

15. Where Have You Been (All My Life)

16. Black Night

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life Just Isn't Fair, Sometimes, May 29, 2000

By 

David W. Coleman "Sportside Books" (Buckeye, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ultimate Arthur Alexander (Audio CD)

Look in the Soul Dictionary under "forgotten founders," and you're sure to see Arthur Alexander's picture. Yes, a couple of superstar rock bands from Britain covered two of his songs, "Anna" and "You'd Better Move On." But often you find that people take the attitude, that these covers were the only things that made Arthur notable. That is so unfair! Arthur was very warm and very human. In his songs, like "In The Middle Of It All," "Call Me Lonely," and "Every Day I Have To Cry Some," he conveys the feelings of Everyman. When interpreting the material of others, in the right settings, Arthur's singing was brilliant (like on "Soldier Of Love," "Pretty Girls Everywhere," and "Where Have You Been All My Life"). Too often, though, his record label, Dot (Pat Boone's label), put Arthur in the wrong settings. In its zest to churn out another pop superstar, Dot Records couldn't see that Arthur Alexander didn't have the temperament to be a pop superstar. He is the rare example of a Black singer from the sixties who was more popular with the pop audience that the soul audience (and it wasn't THAT popular). In retrospect, Arthur would have been a lot better off if he could have stayed on the Fame label and been marketed toward the Black/soul market. He'd have probably gotten his due before he did. And Arthur Alexander did, finally, get his due. This collection was released in the wake of a legendary comeback performance in New York after 18 years of inactivity. Based on this new activity, Arthur was able to get a major record deal with Electra (remember, this is after 18 silent years; that's incredible). And the album was well received by the music critics, too. But shortly after its completion, and with the world of popular music welcoming him back with open arms, Arthur Alexander suffered a fatal heart attack. He got his final moment on stage, and I guess you'd have to say, based on the positive reaction, that he finally got justice. But life can sure be unfair, sometimes.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All in the Family, July 1, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Ultimate Arthur Alexander (Audio CD)

I was shocked to see this site! I happeded upon it by accident, and friend of mine at worked actually found it. Authur Alexander was my uncle, and a very great person to be around. I actually lived in his house in Cleveland, and my aunt still lives there. I never really heard him complain or say many bad things about anyone in his life. He was loved by all of us and we miss him very much. I am very happy that he touched so many people as he did our family for many years. Thanks for all of your kind words.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good and Depressing, August 26, 2002

By 

R. Mooney "Rob" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ultimate Arthur Alexander (Audio CD)

I saw an Arthur Alexander tribute album when I was waiting in line for Rolling Stones tickets several years ago. Artists like, Graham Parker, Robert Plant and even Frank Black sang some incredible sad Alexander penned tunes. Then I heard the real thing and was blown away! This is country-soul at its best!! You can hear the sadness in Alexander's voice as he sings about love and loss in songs like "Anna(go to him)" and "Call Me Lonesome". His voice is so vulnerable in some songs that it seems if he's going to cry at any moment. You can truly feel his pain during the course of these songs- the mark of a true soul singer. Only artists like O.V. Wright and Solomon Burke can compare. Along with Frank Sinatra's "In the Wee Small Hours", the "Ultimate Arthur Alexander" can put you in the mood for some great late night music listening.