The Very Best of Jackie Wilson [Ace] [CD]

The title of this CD could also have appropriately been "Jackie Wilson - That's Why We Love You So". "The Very Best of Jackie Wilson" titled CD is one which I positively had to add to my vast and eclectic music collection, and is a truly fine choice to update my old vinyl records of Jackie Wilson to digital. On this single compact-disc is contained a total compilation of two dozen of this uniquely talented artist's very best songs. All tracks have beautifully outstanding audio quality, which almost seems as if bringing this artist and his impressively superior quality gift of song back to life in these contemporary times. All tracks are original recordings. Almost all tracks are the hit songs that serve as definite evidence of the reason why Jackie Wilson had attained an everlasting reputation for special excellence in the music world. These are his best hit songs, accompanied by just a few extras to offer a more accurately balanced perspective of his singing career. Jackie Wilson, prior to lending his talents to recording and performing music, had temporarily tried to be a professional boxer, but, so fortunate for music history and his enormity of admirers, his direction clearly changed. For a brief while, before Clyde McPhatter and Ben E. King, he joined and led The Drifters. Jackie Wilson didn't only find wonderful songs, not actually penning the majority of them, he more importantly lent, to each and every song that he recorded, his fantastic vocal abilities and stylings. Jackie Wilson was a soulful artist of the Rock 'n' Roll era. Early in his solo career, from 1957 thru 1961, he had a string of consistently superb recordings that became popular hits, often played on juke boxes and the radio, such as "Lonely Teardrops", "To Be Loved", "That's Why I Love You So", "I'll Be Satisfied", and "Night". Thru much of the 1960's, Jackie had sporadically enjoyed only a couple of hits, as "Baby, Workout" in 1963. His final major hit song came in 1967 with "Higher and Higher". They're all absolutely here, and a few additional included recordings extend to 1972, again to offer a well rounded view on his music. Jackie gave his special quality treatment to, and did record, various forms of music, some popular songs long before his time, some fitting to the era, some latter recordings of a slight "Motown" feel. One aspect for which Jackie Wilson had earned an entertaining reputation, during his earlier to his later career, was as a master showman on stage; moving around in a rather artistic and athletic manner. Elvis Presley, referred to as "The King", had earnestly admired Jackie Wilson, as he similarly admired Roy Hamilton, who was also a soulful singer of that era. In the mid-1960's, Elvis took a photo with Jackie, and signed it with the sentence "Jackie, You've Got A Friend For Life". Elvis had continued to proudly be photographed with Jackie, as late as September 1974, when they both performed in Las Vegas. Tragically, less than one year afterwards, in 1975, Jackie had collapsed from a heart attack on stage, while performing in Atlantic City; and, due to the fall, causing a serious skull fracture. He spent his remaining nine years unable to recover in a coma. Jackie Wilson, the man, the voice, the magnificent artistry, the great music, his music, lives on for all to thoroughly enjoy.

There are some artists whose music are timeless. Their music transcends generations, and is listened to years and years after it is released. Jackie Wilson is one of those artists. The oldest track on this album is from 1957 and the newest is from 1968. It is 2010, and just listening to this album gives me a feeling of the music sound then. All of his hits are here. Lonely Teardrops is my favorite. Higher and Higher, To Be Loved and Doggin' Around are also beautiful songs. His voice really brought life to the tracks. He had a beautiful voice. Jackie Wilson was a top artist whose life, and career were cut too short. If you love classic music, you can not afford to miss out on this album.

This is a collector's item, they don't make music like this anymore.

This is an awesome cd by Jackie Wilson. It has all of his hits including my favorite, Your Love Lifted Me Higher and Lonely Teardrops. The sound quality on this CD is perfect. I would recommend this CD.