Various: Hi Times: The Hi Records R&B Years (Disc 1) CD Track Listing

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Various Hi Times: The Hi Records R&B Years (Disc 1) (1995)
Produced under license from Hi Records\n(P) & (C) 1995 The Right Stuff\n\nOriginally Released February 21, 1995\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Hi Times: Hi Records R&B Years is a superb three-disc box set covering all of the label's greatest hits, plus a number of forgotten gems. Al Green understandably dominates the set, since he not only was Hi's biggest artist, he also defined the label's sound with producer Willie Mitchell. As a result, the music on these three discs can sound a little similar at times, but the songwriting and performances from the likes of Green, Ann Peebles, and Joe Clay is first-rate, making Hi Times a necessary addition to any serious soul collection. -- Stephen Thomas Erlewine\n\nAmazon.com Editorial Review\nHi Records was a label with personality, thanks in large part to its strongman, Willie Mitchell. Generally pictured as the rambunctious little brother of Stax, Hi actually dates back to 1957, but its heyday coincided with label golden-boy Al Green's commercial flowering in the '70s. Hi Times opens with a 1959 track from old Elvis sideman Bill Black and ends with a 1977 recording from Green's The Belle Album, which pretty much signaled the end of his (or anyone else's) top-dog-of-soul reign. In between, there's a neat sampling of Memphis sounds highlighted by the '70s classics of Ann Peebles, Syl Johnson, O.V. Wright, and Otis Clay. --Steven Stolder \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nSay 'Hi' to a great R&B collection, August 17, 2000 \nReviewer: Jeff Lekarczyk from Tampa, FL USA \nThis strong R&B collection is a must-own for true Memphis music aficionados and Soul music lovers. This three-disc set includes the incomparable Al Green. In addition, it includes some great, but oft-overlooked Soul musicians like Ann Peebles, Syl Johnson, and Otis Clay. Also included are some great Willie Mitchell tracks, showcasing his band leadership (with such greats as Phineas Newborn) and his trumpeting virtuosity that sustained him before he became a top notch producer. Though his "Soul Serenade" number shows influences of such greats as Booker T & the MGs and the Mar-Keys, his distinct style shines brightly. As an added bonus, the World's Oldest Teenager, Rufus Thomas, appears on the third disc. His hit songs helped shape the success of both the Sun and Stax labels, and his little-known "Fried Chicken" is a Hi Records gem. \n\nFor the most part, the Hi Records recordings exude a tight, silky sound that contrasts nicely to the sweaty, funky Stax R&B that dominated the Memphis Soul scene. Though the box set's producers could have easily leaned heavily upon Al Green, Hi's biggest star, the compilation is a nice mixture of a number of talented artists. \n\nWith nary a weak number, it is a great box set that is a welcome addition to a Soul collection. \n\nHalf.com Album Notes\nProducers include: Ray Harris, Willie Mitchell, Ace Cannon, Al Green, Irene Productions.\n\nCompilation producer: Cary E. Mansfield.\n\nIncludes liner notes by Robert Gordon, Colin Escott, Richard Torres, David Nathan, Bill Dahl and Cary Baker.\n\nEntertainment Weekly (03/24/1995)\n...With this 68 track set, Hi Records claims its rightful place in the holy trinity of Memphis based labels....The 15 [Al] Green tunes here showcase not only his miraculous voice but the supple Hi Rhythm section....Not a low in the Hi collection... Rating: A
This rock cd contains 26 tracks and runs 64min 42sec.
Freedb: 4c0f281a
Buy: from Amazon.com

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