Search - Tina Turner, Ike Turner :: Too Hot to Hold

R&B with a lot of soul, Tina style

05/01/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is a vibrant collection of mid-to-late 1960's Ike & Tina, when Ike would provide guitar in a dim back-drop on stage and Tina and the Ikettes would tear it up in sequin dresses up front in the spotlight.The album contains some true gems from that time, including the title cut, which begins with Tina chanting (not like she does today, though)the refrain and being followed into the intro by the Ikettes. From there Ike comes in with his masterful guitar work, and finally a muted organ and some funky horns round out the song. This is the kind of R&B you play on a hot summer night.Also notable is "It Sho' Ain't Me", a ballad that blends Tina's heartfelt vocals with some of the finest horn work of their careers, and "You Got What You Wanted", a mid tempo groove that features the Ikettes singing "...you don't want me"-which was the opposite of my reaction! The more I listen the more I do want! Other good tunes include "Cussin', Cryin' and Carryin' On", which is a bouncy R&B slice of record despite the dramatic title, and "Ain't Nobody's Business", which has extra-satisfying backup work by the Ikettes. My recommendation is to buy the CD (a great deal!), grab the beverage of your choice, and then sit back and enjoy a piece of R&B greatness the way only Ike & Tina could serve it up."