Search - Wilson Pickett :: The Exciting Wilson Pickett

Re-issue of Pickett Classic Could Use More TLC

J P Ryan | Waltham, Massachusetts United States | 08/01/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Wilson Pickett's 1965 debut album, "In The Midnight Hour" covered in 12 tracks the various styles and settings the soul giant explored on numerous singles (for several small labels) during the first half of the decade, finally finding his mien, climaxing at Stax with the title triumph. "The Exciting" is the followup, and without question more consistant in overall sound and approach, covering sessions recorded at Stax and Fame Studios during 1965 - 66. Despite a needless re-run of "Midnight Hour," (same track in the same mix) the set is classic Pickett: funky, blues- and gospel-influenced, aggressive and intense. It is often forgotten that Pickett wrote much of his own material, and more than half of this set features Pickett's name credited as songwriter.

The main problem with this 2002 reissue is Collectables' indifferent treatment of a true 1960s gem: the front cover is reproduced, but that's it - no annotation or liner notes,let alone remastering credit, and the cover isn't even part of a booklet: what would normally be page 3 is a coupon for the label's catalog. This cheesiness extends to the remastering, utterly different from the Rhino remasters of a decade ago. The album sounds overly bright, harsh, metallic, lacking in the warmth inherent in the music. Too bad--I hope someone (Sundazed?for a revealing contrast investigate their Lee Dorsey remasters!) revisits the Pickett catalog soon and gives it the respect it deserves!"

Maybe his best?

W. Lee | portland, me United States | 05/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you could only own one Wilson Pickett record, this might be the one to get. And if you can own more than one, you certainly ought to have this one. Not so much because of the break-out hits, which are available elsewhere, but because of the less familiar tracks. If you love Wilson Pickett's singing for the things that make it unique, you should pick this up just for the sake of the astonishing "It's All Over." All over indeed; there's just nothing left after this."

Very Soulful

mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 08/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wilson Pickett gets down&Raw here.All Of His Jams Are Here.This Brother has Raw Soul Going On.if you want your Soul Music with Feelings,Emotions&Raw then this is For You.The Music here is Cooking."