Search - Jackie Wilson :: The Very Best of Jackie Wilson

Never to be repeated performances

Eric V. Moye | New York, by way of Dallas | 11/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Prince, Michael Jackson, and even The Godfather of Soul have to take a back seat to the stage presence of this man. My Father years ago told me about a performer who was like none other. Word was that women at his concert performances littered the stage with room keys, notes, and an occasional undergarment (so he MUST have been a Bad Man in the sexually repressed Fifties). It certainly comes through in his music. Wilson was a great performer, like none before him. Not as flamboyant as Little Richard, but better pipes, and more raw emotion that could ever be harnessed. he was. Moves as fluid as a ballet dancer combined with the athleticism of a boxer (which we was), passion, and a voice like an opera singer. Jackie had a stroke while performing in New Jersey well over two decades ago, and somehow it seemed fitting that his career ended so suddenly on the stage, while giving his all.
I had heard some of these cuts before, but this puts together much of his greatness, maybe lacking only "Danny Boy". What a voice! He covered three octaves when he was rolling, as he did in many of these cuts. Hearing him sing "Doggin' Round" is nothing short of massive. "Baby Workout", "Reet Petite", and "To Be Loved" indeed showcase the great powerful excitement he could generate. Not only could he "Talk That Talk", he sure could walk that walk. Check it out, and you will sing like he did: "I'll be Satisfied"!"

Set volume higher and HIGHER!

Francisco J. Calderon | Mexico City, Mexico | 06/14/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'd give this collection five, maybe ten stars, but 'Chain Gang' is missing, which is utterly unforgivable! That being said, I think you'd be buying dynamite: Jackie Wilson was the greatest song-and-dance superstar (however underrated) that ever was! Poor Michael Jackson seems like a hoarse arthritic grandmother compared with this guy; I mean, what a performer! He could do EVERYTHING! Everything, that is, except live a happy life...You, on the other hand, can. Don't you hear it ...'peaches'? The whisper's getting louder!: Stop lying to yourself, shed no more lonely teardrops, buy this CD right now and start getting the sweetest feelin'!(Yeah, I know, I sound like a TV commercial. Whaddaya want? There's no pity in the naked city!)"

Don't Order With CDNow

Ron Heck | 11/05/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I probably don't need to tell anyone reading this review that the Very Best of Jackie Wilson is a great album. This is probably the most comprehensive compilation available (short of a box set). Ace Records is an outstanding reissue company. But, when you order this through the CDNow Preferred Buyers club you'll receive The Very Best of Jackie Wilson as issued by Rhino Records. This version has about 8 tracks less than the Ace release. CDNow doesn't even carry the Ace version and the $9.99 price is a misprint. Don't get me wrong though, the Ace version is definitely worth the extra five bucks. As of now Amazon hasn't fixed the misprint, so I just wanted to save someone the frustration of ordering the CD waiting, and then having to return it, and re-order it from Amazon."