Less up-tempo, frantic and danceable - and considerably more melodic - than regular 60s Soul, the roots of SOUTHERN SOUL can be dated back to the mid-50s. This 60-track, 2-CD set comprehensively explores the birth of Southern Soul, from the point where Gospel, R&B and even rural Country began to merge. Many of the genre's biggest names are featured herein, notably Ray Charles, Bobby Bland, Sam Cooke, Ted Taylor, Ivory Joe Hunter, Brook Benton, Solomon Burke, Arthur Alexander, Irma Thomas, Johnny Adams, Little Willie John, Betty Lavette, Little Esther Phillips, etc. Also included are deep Soul cuts from James Brown, Otis Redding, Roy Brown, Ruth Brown, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, William Bell, The Tams, Barbara Lynn, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Joe Tex, etc. , names perhaps more readily associated with regular R&B and/or 60s Soul. This is a unique and irresistible collection of hits and collectors' obscurities, many of the latter unavailable elsewhere on CD. Album Tracks 1. Ray Charles • a Fool for You 2. Carol Fran • Emmitt Lee 3. Brook Benton • Everything Will Be All Right 4. James Brown & the Famous Flames • Try Me (I Need You) 5. Miss La-Vell • If (I Could Be with You) 6. Ted Taylor • Be Ever Wonderful 7. Tarheel Slim & Little Ann • It's Too Late 8. Bobby Bland • I'll Take Care of You 9. Al InchTNTInch Braggs • I Don't Think I Can Make It 10. Oscar Perry • I Found True Love 11. Roy Brown • Sugar Baby 12. Ruth Brown • Anyone But You 13. Rufus & Friends • I Didn't Believe 14. Larry Birdsong • Sooner or Later 15. Sam & Dave • No More Pain 16. Charles Perrywell • Your Lonesome Now 17. The Womack Brothers • Yield Not to Temptation 18. Prince Conley • All the Way 19. Solomon Burke • Just Out of Reach 20. Joe Perkins • I'm Not Gonna Leave 21. Sammy Fitzhugh • Lover's Plea 22. Arthur Alexander • You Better Move on 23.