Search - Jackie Wilson :: He's So Fine / Lonely Teardrops

The beginning of JACKIE WILSON'S solo career & MOTOWN

12/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 1957 Jackie Wilson after having spent 3 years with Billy Ward & His Dominoes embarked on his solo career. He was to be managed by Al Green the owner of Detriot's most popular club The Flame Showbar. Green was manager to LaVern Baker and co-manager of Johnnie Ray. He set up a deal for Jackie and LaVern to sign with Decca Records but the night before Green passed away. Green's assistant Nat Tarnopol took over as Jackie's manager and soon had Jackie signed to Brunswick records (a Decca subsidiary). Brunswick was brought out of mothballs just for Jackie and Buddy Holly & The Crickets. In fact it would be common knowledge that Brunswick was Jackie Wilson. He would remain with the label until 1975. In 1957 Jackie saw his first single "Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want To Meet)" reach the lower regions of the pop charts. It charted higher in the UK. Wilson's first top 40 hit occured the following year with "To Be Loved". At the end of 1958 he had his first chart topper with his signature tune, "Lonely Teardrops". 1958 also saw the release of Jackie Wilson's first LP, HE'S SO FINE. It was followed a year later with Wilson's second LP, LONELY TEARDROPS. The two make their first release on cd here. They are historical not just as being Jackie Wilson's first albums, but as the earliest beginnings of the MOTOWN records story. A key individual to Jackie's initial success was his two song writers Roquel Billy Davis (who's pen name was Tyran Carlo) and Berry Gordy, Jr. Gordy would go onto form Motown in 1960, but his first success in the music business came with Jackie Wilson and "Reet Petite". Gordy and Davis would write Jackie's first five hits (four of which appear on this cd). Gordy and Davis also contribute a great deal of the songs contained within the two LP's. The first album contains some really great songs by the team like "It's So Fine", "Etcetera", and other's, as well as Jackie's first two hits. Other standouts are Jackie's readings of "By The Light Of The Silvery Moon", and Wilson's favorite "Danny Boy" (a song he originally recorded in 1952). Jackie also sings one of his own compositions "Come Back To Me". A song that along with "Lonely Teardrops" is the inspiration behind The Isley Brother's 1959 hit "Shout". One of the albums best recordings is "As Long As I Live". Jackie's vocal performance on that track is probably one of his most powerful. LONELY TEARDROPS contains some more great performances including "Love Is All", Jackie's 4th hit "That's Why (I Love You So) and the title track. This cd has remastered sound and presents these magnificent albums in their original mono releases. Also included are some really in depth liner notes with interviews with some key figures in Jackie's musical story. So if your looking for the definitive disc on Jackie's first recordings after leaving the Dominoes tjis is the disc you want. It's also the prologue to the Motown story. It's not the end of the Jackie Wilson Story however. This cd is the first in a series to explore the albums of Jackie Wilson. Next up SO MUCH & JACKIE SINGS THE BLUES."

The most beautiful voice I have ever heard.

04/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jackie wilson had such a wonderful voice. When I listen to him it sometimes brings tears to my eyes. Everyone should hear his Voice."

What A VOICE

mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 05/02/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"JACKIE WILSON has One OF the GReatest Voices ever.The Songs on here Reflect His Rich Quality In Style.A Must Have on a ALL-TIme Great."