The Best of Percy Sledge

Percy Sledge

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1969
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000002I7F
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #145,901 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take time to know him..., June 13, 2001

By	David Kinney (San Francisco, Ca. United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A man... at the end of his emotional rope stands at the crossroads, where the sacred meets the profane. Gospel trained, he searches in his soul for unanswerable solutions.And he emerges triumphant. Unbroken. A man. When a man loves a woman, out of left field, take the time to know her. Every holy roller church organ played, every sanctified soul shout, every weary working man's blues is distilled right here for your listening pleasure. This CD is the one to get,because there are a lot of weak ones out there, ya'll. The "Big Chill" generation re-embraced Percy and gave him some long overdue recognition, so now it's you youngster's turn to get hip to the deep,deep,deep soul of Mr. Percy Sledge. Here's your map.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Underrated Southern Soul Ballads From A Master, March 2, 2000

By	Anthony G Pizza "trivialtony" (FL) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

It is hard to consider Percy Sledge underrated when he had his biggest hit go to #1 on the pop and R&B charts; had that hit featured in one of the 80s top films ("Platoon"); have its chart position (but not quality) matched in a Michael Bolton remake; and finally, be honored by its publisher (and, in a backwards way, by the IRS, to whom Sledge owed back taxes) as one of the most played songs of all time.

But "The Best of Percy Sledge" is more than the legendary "When A Man Loves A Woman." Using the Impressions' first hit, "For Your Precious Love," as a basis, Percy and his Muscle Shoals cohorts used simple ingredients (churchy organ, light drumming, bluesy guitar) to create heartfelt, dignified soul classics. Highlights include the mournful "Take Time To Know Her" (featuring Percy's spoken narrative), the Otis Redding-ish "Baby Help Me," two excellent versions of soul chestnuts "Dark End of The Street" and "Just Out of Reach," and the gospelish ballad "My Special Prayer." When Percy's voice comes in just behind the first organ notes to sing, "Let me wrap you in my warm and tender love," how could anyone not be moved? Highly recommended, but also check out "The Ultimate Collection" or "It Tears Me Up" for the original Atlantic hits.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very powerful and moving collection, December 12, 2002

By A Customer

This is an essential collection of deep soul songs by Percy Sledge. It's a shame that most people only know Mr. Sledge's most popular song "When A Man Loves A Woman" (and radio only plays that one selection from him) when there are numerous songs by him that are just as powerful. Side 1 is especially great: check out "Warm and Tender Love", "Out Of Left Field" and "Just Out of Reach".