Search - Percy Sledge :: It Tears Me Up: Best of

True Talent

Glenn Nippert | Alpharetta, Georgia United States | 03/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you think Percy Sledge starts and ends with "When a Man Loves a Woman", then you should really check this CD out. His soulful,
vulnerable delivery highlights sad songs and love songs alike. The title cut "It Tears Me Up" and "Dark End of the Street" are some of the srongest soul singing I have ever heard. He covers Elvis' "Love Me Tender" and sings it so sweetly, he effortlessly makes it his own. He possessed the unique talent to really make you feel the emotion of a song. Perhaps he is not as well remembered as some Soul greats like James Brown or Wilson Pickett because he was not as dynamic or charismatic, but as much as I love those guys, Percy could sing rings around both of them. This is a classic collection becuse it covers all the bases- songs of love, songs of heartache, uptempo dance cuts, even country flavored numbers like "True Love Travels on a Gravel Road". Percy Sledge was not a flashy stage performer, rather he had to rely entirely on vocal ability and as a result his studio recordings hold up exceptionally well. True talent never goes out of style.Thanks to this album, Percy is a Soul giant for all time."

Sometimes The Softest Voice Is The Best Heard

doncub | Toledo, OH | 12/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Leave it to Rhino Records to dare to title a Percy Sledge compilation without mentioning his #1 masterwork, "When A Man Loves A Woman." That move alone means they understand their subject. This is the best representation of this long-misunderstood artist I have run across since Atlantic's "Ultimate Collection." There's the title cut, which is one of the best soul songs ever in 3/4 time (outside of Aretha Franklin's "I Never Loved A Man"). Almost all the other hits are here and they had sense enough to include such neglected gems as "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right" and "It Can't Be Stopped." I had this on cassette on a long bus ride in the south and i could not stop playing it. His gift is that he makes vulnerability a strength. He moves mountains without bulldosing them. And, always, his emotions ring true. I hope one day someone re-releases his Atlantic album, "Warm and Tender Soul" (from which this compilation heavily draws). In the meantime, this thoughtful compilation will do nicely."

Percy Sledge is R&B !! The best cd of his work available

Athony W. Sapp | Louisville Ky. | 06/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Percy Sledge is R&B. His sound has been imitated but can not be duplicated. There are many cd's on the market but this one offers
more rare tracks for the money!! Todays new artist should watch and learn as Mr. Sledge is not only a rare talent, he is a gentelman with much class. Mr. Sledge treats his audiance with
a respect that has not been seen in performer in many years.
He is a true ledgend and a gentelman. Check POLLSTAR for his upcoming concert dates!!
Tony Sapp"