- Laura Lee - vocals

- none known

Genre: soul

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  The Best of Laura Lee

Company: Hot Wax

Catalog: HA 715

Year: 1972

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: small out out hole bottom left corner; still in shrink wrap; played once to tape

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4638

Price: $20.00

Cost: $66.00

To my ears Laura Lee's a far better singer than Millie Jackson.  Her stand-up-for-yourself rap is far more effective that anything Jackson ever did and under the care of the Holland-Dozier-Holland organization, her output was far more commercial.

1972's "The Best of Laura Lee" is kind of a curious 'best of' set in that's it's drawn from Lee's first two studio sets for Hot Wax.  The eight tracks include most of Lee's commercial highlights, but coming so earlier in her career it isn't the ultimate 'best of' set since it lacks quite a few post-1972 classic tracks.  Vital missing in action efforts include "Wedlock Is a Padlock', 'I'll Catch You When You Fall' and 'Two Lonely Pillows'.  While virtually every one of these tracks would have made a dandy single, highlights include her cover of 'Crumbs Off the Table' (it kicks The Glass House version to pieces), 'If You Can Beat Me Rockin' (You Can Have My Chair)' and her signature tune 'Woman's Love Right'.  For casuals Laura Lee fans, or those that are simply curious, it's still a good place to start.  

"The Best of Laura Lee" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Crumbs Off the Table  (Dunbar - Wayne - Payne) - 3:35

2.) Love & Liberty  (Angelo Bond - Weatherspoon) - 3:04

3.) Woman's Love Right  (Angelo Bond - Weatherspoon) - 

4.) If You Can Beat Me Rockin' (You Can Have My Chair)  (Lamont Dozier - Dunbar - Holland) - 2:54

5.) Rip Off  (Angelo Bond - Weatherspoon) - 3:17

(side 2)
1.) Since I Fell for You  (General Johnson) - 6:10

1.) At Last My Love Has Come Along

3.) Guess Who I Saw Today