Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: James and Bobby Purify
Company: Bell
Catalog: 6003
Year: 1967
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: mono pressing
Available: 1
Price: $35.00
Produced by Don Schroeder, 1966's "James and Bobby Purify" is simply a classic slice of mid-60s southern soul. Curiously, for years it never dawned on us the album had been recorded at Muscle Shoals' Fame Studios rather than in Memphis. The overall sound, the song selection, the whole package just has that unique Stax feel ... For anyone who's viewed these guys as little more than a second rate Sam and Dave, this LP will come as a major surprise. Backed by the cream of Muscle Shoals sessions players, James and Bobby never sounded as good. The pair effortlessly roll through a first-rate mixture of ballads, up-tempo soul and Gospel-influenced numbers. With the exception of a rote cover of Eddie Floyd's "Knock On Wood", there isn't a bad track on the album. Besides the mega hit title track, highlights include the rollicking "Hitch Hike", a nice cover of The Nightingales "I Got Everything I Need" and the two other Dan Penn/Spooner Oldham originals "Wish You Didn't Have To Go" and "You Left the Water Running".
Nah, in spite of what the liner notes say, they weren't brothers. They were cousins ...
"James and Bobby Purify" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Wish You Didn't Have To Go (Dan Penn - Spooner Oldham) - 2:15
2.) So Many Reasons (Greene - Dan Penn) - 2:37
3.) Knock On Wood (Steve Cropper - Eddie Floyd) - 2:35
4.) I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) (Otis Redding - Jerry Butler) - 3:00
5.) Hitch Hike (Marvin Gaye - William Stevenson - Clarence Paul) - 2:16
6.) I've Got Everything I Need (I've Got You) (Steve Cropper - Eddie Floyd) - 2:43
(side 2)
1.) I'm Your Puppet (Dan Penn - Spooner Oldham) - 2:59
2.) You Left the Water Running (Dan Penn - Spooner Oldham) - 2:40
3.) A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cook) - 3:29
4.) Blame Me (Don't Blame My heart) (Steve Cropper - Al Bell) - 3:38
5.) You Can't Keep a Good Man Down (Schroeder - Montgomery) - 2:34