Alton Ellis - Be True to Yourself: The Godfather of Lover's Rock (Anthology 1965-1973) '2005
Artist | Alton Ellis Related artists |
Album name | Be True to Yourself: The Godfather of Lover's Rock (Anthology 1965-1973) |
Country | |
Date | 2005 |
Genre | Reggae |
Play time | 02:37:43 |
Format / Bitrate | Stereo 1420 Kbps
/ 44.1 kHz MP3 320 Kbps |
Media | CD |
Size | 740 MB |
Price | Download $5.95 |
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Alton Ellis created a template in the 1960s that subsequent Jamaican singers like Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs would follow to a T, combining soulful vocal phrasing, derived in part from American R&B, with hard island rhythms and a bent for romantic material into a surefire way to keep a presence on the charts. Although he is often celebrated for his subtle Jamaican interpretations of American pop hits (which often improved on the originals, as is the case here with Ellis' version of Chuck Jackson's "Willow Tree"), it is startling to realize how many of the best songs on this two-disc, 56-track compilation of Ellis' early years were actually written by the singer. "Dance Crasher," "Cry Tough," "The Preacher," "Black Man's World," "Harder and Harder," and "Better Get Your Heads Together" were all penned by Ellis, and his soaring tenor renders them both poignant and irresistible. It's also interesting how many of the tracks deal squarely with social issues, and while there are plenty of romantic ballads included here, Ellis clearly had a wider range of concerns than his public persona as a crooner would afford. Songs like "Cry Tough" (with its classic "how can a man be tougher than the world" interjection by Lloyd Charmers) are immortal, in part because of Ellis' emotive and nuanced vocals, but also because the writing is so smart, wise, and assured, not to mention timely and political. As an introduction to Ellis' classic early years (and in particular, his work with Treasure Isle producer Duke Reid), Be True to Yourself is hard to beat. ~ Steve Leggett Disc 1 01 - Something You've Got 02 - Dance Crasher 03 - Don't Trouble People 04 - The Preacher 05 - Blessings of Love 06 - Shake It 07 - (Girl) I've Got A Date 08 - How Can I 09 - Cry Tough 10 - Rocksteady 11 - Duke of Earl 12 - All My Tears (Come Rolling) 13 - Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One) 14 - Why Birds Follow Spring 15 - If I Could Rule The World 16 - Oowee Baby (Baby I Love You) 17 - My Willow Tree 18 - I Can'r Stop Now 19 - Why Did You Leave Me 20 - I Can't Stand It 21 - My Time Is the Right Time 22 - Bye Bye Love 23 - Tonight (aka Feeling Inside) 24 - Give Me Your Love 25 - Keep On Yearning 26 - La La Means I Love 27 - If I Had The Right 28 - Breaking Up 29 - Diana 30 - Remember That Sunday Disc 2 01 - What Does It Take 02 - You Made Me So Very Happy 03 - Black Man's World 04 - I'll Be Waiting 05 - It's Your Thing 06 - Deliver Us 07 - Back To Africa 08 - Wide World 09 - You Said It Again 10 - Working On A Groovy Thing 11 - Hey World 12 - True Born Africa 13 - (If I) Don't Care 14 - Harder And Harder 15 - Play It Cool 16 - Be True (To Yourself) 17 - (Baby) I'm Trying 18 - Wonderful World 19 - Big Bad Boy 20 - Your Are Mine 21 - All That We Need Is Love 22 - (I Don't Know Why) Truly 23 - Alphabetically Yours 24 - I See My Future In You 25 - Alton's Official Daughter 26 - Better Get Your Heads Together
Related artists
Alton Ellis
Album
- 2022 Here I Am - Reggae Got Soul
- 2018 Dance Crasher Live In London
- 2014 Legend
- 2005 Be True to Yourself: The Godfather of Lover's Rock (Anthology 1965-1973)
- 1993 Cry Tough
- 1980 (2006) Many Moods Of Alton Ellis
- 1973/2013 Mr Soul of Jamaica
- 1971 Sunday Coming
- 1969 The Best of Alton Ellis
- 1967 Sings Rock And Soul