Rating 4.5

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The songs on this disc are not Bland's earliest recordings, but they are early, spanning 1957-1969 with an emphasis on the years 1960-1962, and they're his best and most seminal recordings. Not only that but the compilation comes at such a bargain price that even those unfamiliar with Bland would do well to pick it up.

Bland and his music, under the direction of bandleader Joe Scott, had a decided showbiz bent due to Scott and his orchestra that made generous use of horns as well as the usual guitar, bass and drums. The greatness of Bland was that his genuine and soulful stylings transcended the 'sweetening' agents of his accompaniment. That's not a knock on Scott and his orchestra though, for Bland's sound anticipated what came to be known as soul music in the '60s. Bland, well-groomed and dressed in a three-piece fronting an orchestra is something that really does it for me image-wise. He wasn't one of those other blues singers like John Lee Hooker who looked like a street musician thrown on a stage. Some would see Bland in a lesser light or less genuine than someone like Hooker because of his show and orchestra but that's b.s. Half those 'serious' blues musicians were just mailing it in and living on an image anyway, and these days they all are.

Included in this compilation is 'Farther Up the Road', Bland's first hit, later made more famous by Eric Clapton. On 'Cry, Cry, Cry' and 'That Did It' Bland loses his mind to a pleasing effect. The Brook Benton-penned 'I'll Take Care Of You' utilizes a haunting, spooky organ overdub that works as a nice wild-card element and 'Yield Not To Temptation' includes a manic hand-clapping beat and female backing vocals.

Great music, great price - what are you waiting for?

a great talent