Search - Chuck Jackson :: Encore!/Mr. Everything

Uptown Soul by a Number One

Rucho | Buenos Aires, Argentina | 08/16/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Chuck Jackson began as a member of the gospel group The Rasperry Singers, then of the doo-wop band The Del-Vikings, he decided to go as a solo artist in the 60s and he became a very interesting singer of that relevant decade epitomizing the NY uptown soul.
He has a strong baritone voice, which can be very well appreciated in this CD, often supported by female backing vocals and fine orchestrations and arrangements.
Some of my fave songs in this CD are: "Blue Holiday", "Tell Him I'm Not Home", "Two Stupid Feet", "This Broken Heart", "Invisible", "King of the Mountain". It is also worth listening to his version of "I Need You" written by Goffin/King, which was later covered by Scott Walker.
Chuck Jackson's version of "Since I Don't Have You" deserves special attention, as well as Bacharach/David's "I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself", his labelmate Tommy Hunt was the first singer who recorded it, Dionne Warwick and Dusty Springfield later did their versions, for Dusty Springfield it was an international hit and it remains today as one of her classic tracks (actually I knew this song a few years ago by her).
The song "Human" is a cover version of Tommy Hunt's hit; Hunt is also an interesting artist in the same R&B/soul style as Chuck Jackson that deserves more CD reissues of his recordings. Both Jackson and Hunt are excellent soul singers that have been unfairly underrated.
Chuck Jackson continues performing and recording today. I prefer his early recordings as this one and also the CD "I Don't Want To Cry/Any Day Now". Listen and enjoy both of them."

Bookend CD to 'I Don't Want To Cry/ Any Day Now"

rollo | usa | 05/23/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Encore & Mr. Everything could be catalogued as Chuck Jackson's 3rd and 4th Albums but I am not sure of the release dates because a live album was issued somewhere in between. Chuck Jackson subsequently recorded a tribute to Elvis album, 2 tribute to R & B albums and a couple of duet albums with Maxine Brown all on Wand Records too but they all pale in comparison this pair of albums and the other twofer [I Don't Want To Cry/ Any Day Now]. People have forgotten but I will never forget what an excellent performer Chuck was in person and if he is not in the R&B and Rock N Roll hall of fame, the buildings should be burned down. Chuck was not a wizard of dance routines nor did he use gimmicks of any sort, he just sang his heart out. There would be a line all the way around the block at the 20 Grand in Detroit to see his show. Burt Bacharach, Carol King, Jerry Goffin, Bert Burns, Luther Dixon and all of the folks in the Brill Building owe a debt of gratitude to Chuck Jackson, a truly a soulful man!"