I've been obsessed with Willie Tee's 1968 release "I'm Only A Man" for about 20 years now. I found the "Reach Out For Me" single in Jim Russell's Records on one of my first trips to New Orleans and have yet to find the album for a reasonable price. The album is produced by madman genius David Axelrod and every track is special. CDs are out there for $10, but where's the fun in that? Anyway, one popped up on the Discogs marketplace last night for $150, which is about half of what it usually sells for and someone beat me to it. To quell the frustration, I decided to listen to the whole thing this morning. It still kills me. If you don't know it, check out the tracks I have posted here. I think you'll agree, these songs are not your run of the mill soul tracks. Some border psychedelia. And while I'll give the great Wilson Turbinton credit for writing some of it and singing the beezeebus out of all of it, I have to believe David Axelrod had a lot to do with just how unique these arrangements are. And that just HAS to be the one and only Earl Palmer on drums. Probably the whole Wrecking Crew.
If anyone has a copy of "I'm Only A Man" that they'd like to let go for a fair price that won't cause my heart to attack me, please let me know. Until then, dig these tracks.
12 comments:
"CD's are out there, but where's the fun in that?"
Sal, you're such a vinyl douchebag.
Good luck in your search for the album. I can relate - I just spent three figures for Byrne/Eno's Everything That Happens Will Happen Today vinyl that I currently have on CD.
Randy
Randy,
I sold that Eno/Byrne on December 11th to someone named Randy.
You should check out my Discogs page. Buy MY records!
I have it, but just as a dl. FWIW, Willie really thought his claim to stardom would be via another album he recorded, Anticipation. Sadly, it never caught on either. He also was a great modern jazz pianist - check out the alum he and his brother Earl Turbinton released in the 80s, Brothers For Life.
I have it all, pmac. I think the Axelrod record is the winner, unless we include the first Wild Mags.
Man, that is really, really weird???
Hadn't checked Discogs on that album for about a year until the other day cause I came into a few extra bucks recently so...
Randy
P.S. to make up for it, I'm about to purchase Mose Allison and NRBQ rekkids from you. Bargain on the 'Q' - it's selling for $300 at Amazoon!
The Wild Magnolias recordings are off the charts! But, a lot of that was due to Snooks Eaglin also. Thankfully, Mardi Gras is around the corner, and it might get the horrid taste out of the city's collective mouth from the game on Sunday.
Sal, you'll probably be thinking, "There's no accounting for the taste of some people", but these aren't grabbing me today. I prefer Willie Tee's earlier stuff - "Teasin' You" and "Walkin' Up a One-Way Street", for example. His voice is great on all three videos, but the songwriter on the last example was trying too hard (to my ears) - the lyrics are preachy and verge on corny in spots. Have you heard Lou Johnson's "Reach Out For Me" (1963)?
Marie,
If i doesn't grab you, it doesn't grab you. But to be honest, I've listened to it twice today, and I have no idea what lyrics are being sung other than the titles of the songs. It's all about the record making for me and Axelrod really did something here. THAT is what grabbed me.
I hope you don't think I was being snide, Sal. When it comes to music, I guess I'm an opinionated so-and-so. One thing that I love about your blog is that people can honestly express their reactions to the tunes here, even if it's occasionally contrary to the opinions of others. I enjoy reading your expert commentary.
Snide? Absolutely not! I was just responding.
Had no idea that Obama's political advisor had music career beforehand. (sorry, just had to zip that one in)
Record new to me. Loving it. "No Answer Came" just slayed me.
Bruce H.
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