Long lost tracks from an under-rated talent
Dr.D.Treharne | Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom | 12/28/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The material on this album varies from early demo's ("There's a love" is the earliest) through publishing demo's ("Love will find a way" is a good example), to songs that were readied for release under Bell's name.In the latter context "Quittin'Time" was eventually thought to be too much like the material they were cutting with Johnny Taylor, whilst "Forever wouldn't be too long" sounds like a Sam and Dave out-take. Most of the tracks are far sparser than the normal Stax sound, and there's rather more piano than you normally find on released Stax tracks. There are two stand out tracks; "Will you still love me tomorrow" owes little to the Shirelles version, and "She wont be like you" would be a surefire hit for any current soul giant who cared to re-record it! Throughout Bell provides proof of what a great performer he could be in a range of styles."