ARTHUR ALEXANDER – RAINBOW ROAD / DOWN THE BACK ROADS / IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL / COME ALONG WITH ME (S4R55)
Arthur Alexander was born in Florence, Alabama in 1940 and in his formative years listened to both Country and R&B radio stations, which influenced both his singing and songwriting style.
Two of his first single releases on the Dot record label in 1962, the self-penned “Anna” and “You Better Move On”, spawned cover versions by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones respectively, which elevated his prominence in the music world.
Further 45 rpm releases on Sound Stage Seven and Monument followed before he was signed to Warner Brothers in 1972. A self-titled album was released in the same year, produced by Tommy Cogbill in Memphis and recorded at American Sound.
Although two singles were released from the album, none of the four tracks featured on this EP were. Here you will find a fabulous take on the much-loved “Rainbow Road” and three other gems.
Arthur died from heart failure in 1993, but his legacy as a unique and individual artist will never be diminished.
Get the Arthur Alexander EP from Soul4Real right here.
A songwriter of timeless classics including “Rainy Night In Georgia” and “Polk Salad Annie”, TJW never shied away from ‘outside material’ that suited his style – as demonstrated by two of the four rarities in this Soul4Real release.
Of the 400+ versions of Bacharach/David’s “This Guy’s In Love With You”, just ten preceded TJW’s upbeat treatment, cut at Memphis’ Lyn-Lou Studio in October 1968 along with his own “Keep A Movin’ Train” during his Continued album sessions.
His gutbucket essay on Bobbie Gentry’s “Mississippi Delta” and another original “Just Look At You” were recorded in Paris during TJW’s 1969 European tour – although audibly they could have been tracked closer to home.
These recordings waited 35+ years for release on a now-deleted CD boxed set. This EP presents their 7-inch vinyl debut.
Between 1968 and his passing in October 2018, TJW released 16 studio albums. These rarities from his 60s Monument sessions are integral to that long-playing legacy. – TONY ROUNCE
Get the Tony Joe White EP from Soul4Real right here.
