tsull1
05-01-2011, 04:51 PM
Back in the day, I couldn't O'Jays albums fast enough. A quick jog to the record store and back to see what was next from the terrific trio was a weekly activity when I was a young kid.
I gotta admit, after picking up previous O'Jays discs, particularly my favorite "Backstabbers" [[perhaps my favorite all-time album along with Spinners 1973 album), I looked at the song lineup and scoffed: "Huh, just seven songs? C'mon fellas, I want more!"
Well, I got more, as in fabulous long, extended songs that showed the group was still at its peak. There's a reason this 1975 album sold more than a million albums, it's simply a fabulous disc. Here we go:
Unity: A good upbeat tune to start off the album. Not a classic tune, but G & H's message music starts off on the right note.
Family Reunion: Title track is outstanding. I like everything about it, the great MFSB instrumentation to Eddie's long talk about the family late in the song. I flat out love this song.
You and Me: Nice album track that is somewhat hidden in the group's fabulous catalog. A nice album ballad.
She's Only a Woman: Like You and Me, another lost album track, but I like this one better. I think it's outstanding. The always rotating Walter and Eddie vocals make this a fabulous song.
Livin' for the Weekend: OK, one of my favorite all-time tunes by any group. The O'Jays wisely open their concerts today with this song, Walter walking on the stage with his hat and the slow lead-in vocals. It picks up tremendously, and what a fun tune, dissing on work, gonna take off early and a "cut in pay." Don't dismiss the slow drag ending, too, where they go back to the bluesy style signifying the return to the "J-O-B" on Monday. But Eddie notes that they'll be back the next weekend partying. Just a great, great song. Unfortunately, some of these compilations [[one I have) cut this great song in half, eliminating some of the intro and all of the outro. Just buy this album and you don't have to put up with that bad editing.
Stairway to Heaven: An epic ballad, better than the other "Stairway" by Led Zepplin, which I don't like. This one is great, a true, deep passionate love song. Mr. Levert at his best.
I Love Music: There's a reason this song sold a zillion copies, it's so damn good. A honor to all types of music and the joy of playing and listening to music. I thought Bobbi Eli played the guitar solo on this track, so I asked him on this board. He told me it was Norman Harris and what a fabulous solo it is. Oh yeah, I love that solo, it really adds to the track.
* I have the CD with the additional "I Love Music" remix by Tom Moulton, which is great, about 3 minutes longer, guitar solo intact. A nice re-mix, thanks Tom.
If you have this album, dust it off and put it on the turntable; or in your CD player, IPod, whatever. To me it stacks up as one of the all-time great soul albums.
I gotta admit, after picking up previous O'Jays discs, particularly my favorite "Backstabbers" [[perhaps my favorite all-time album along with Spinners 1973 album), I looked at the song lineup and scoffed: "Huh, just seven songs? C'mon fellas, I want more!"
Well, I got more, as in fabulous long, extended songs that showed the group was still at its peak. There's a reason this 1975 album sold more than a million albums, it's simply a fabulous disc. Here we go:
Unity: A good upbeat tune to start off the album. Not a classic tune, but G & H's message music starts off on the right note.
Family Reunion: Title track is outstanding. I like everything about it, the great MFSB instrumentation to Eddie's long talk about the family late in the song. I flat out love this song.
You and Me: Nice album track that is somewhat hidden in the group's fabulous catalog. A nice album ballad.
She's Only a Woman: Like You and Me, another lost album track, but I like this one better. I think it's outstanding. The always rotating Walter and Eddie vocals make this a fabulous song.
Livin' for the Weekend: OK, one of my favorite all-time tunes by any group. The O'Jays wisely open their concerts today with this song, Walter walking on the stage with his hat and the slow lead-in vocals. It picks up tremendously, and what a fun tune, dissing on work, gonna take off early and a "cut in pay." Don't dismiss the slow drag ending, too, where they go back to the bluesy style signifying the return to the "J-O-B" on Monday. But Eddie notes that they'll be back the next weekend partying. Just a great, great song. Unfortunately, some of these compilations [[one I have) cut this great song in half, eliminating some of the intro and all of the outro. Just buy this album and you don't have to put up with that bad editing.
Stairway to Heaven: An epic ballad, better than the other "Stairway" by Led Zepplin, which I don't like. This one is great, a true, deep passionate love song. Mr. Levert at his best.
I Love Music: There's a reason this song sold a zillion copies, it's so damn good. A honor to all types of music and the joy of playing and listening to music. I thought Bobbi Eli played the guitar solo on this track, so I asked him on this board. He told me it was Norman Harris and what a fabulous solo it is. Oh yeah, I love that solo, it really adds to the track.
* I have the CD with the additional "I Love Music" remix by Tom Moulton, which is great, about 3 minutes longer, guitar solo intact. A nice re-mix, thanks Tom.
If you have this album, dust it off and put it on the turntable; or in your CD player, IPod, whatever. To me it stacks up as one of the all-time great soul albums.