VA -The Sweet Sound of Philadelphia Soul 1959-1964 (2015)

The glory days for soul music in Philadelphia were the 70s, when the smooth orchestral Philly sound stood tall in the charts, and when writer/producers like Thom Bell, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff were at the peak of their powers and when almost every soul singer and group travelled to Philly hoping some of the magic would rub off on them.
But this success didn’t happen overnight. Philadelphia was a major music centre long before, particularly in the late 50s when Dick Clark’s Bandstand TV show was the biggest in the US. This platform developed in the 60s as Philly consolidated its position as a key recording location for pop and soul.
This CD set traces the way disparate musical elements led to the ascent of Philly soul. Groups have always been central to music in Philadelphia and there are plenty of groups here, singing soulful doo-wop and gospel-tinged R&B as these styles led into soul. There’s rhythm and blues too, the odd pop tune and instrumental - all ingredients in the mix that became America’s favourite music in the 70s.

Tracklist
CD1
1. Come Home Soon The Intruders
2. Royal Queen Clarence Willams
3. Guilty Herb Johnson
4. It's All Right Solomon Burke
5. I Won't Cry Bunny Sigler
6. One Day Bobby Peterson
7. I Can't Believe It The Larks
8. Steal Your Heart Away Bobby Parker
9. A Good Woman The Blue Notes
10. Deep In The Night Geno & Rabbit
11. Good Rockin' Mama Good Rockin' Sammy T
12. Cheated Heart Lenny O'Henry
13. Will You Ever Be Mine Donnie Elbert
14. The Slide The Lavenders
15. Disillusioned The Tams
16. That's The Way Life Goes Herb Johnson
17. Callin' All Boys Ruby Johnson
18. This Is My Song Four Intruders
19. Cherry Pt 1 Little Joe Cook
20. In Between Tears Anna King
21. She's Gone The Gainors
22. Mama Get Your Hammer Bobby Peterson
23. Alone With My Tears Bobby Bennett
24. Love Me Clarence Williams
25. The Telephone Game Claudine Clark
26. Could This Be Love Sammy Taylor
27. Bewitched The Mohawks
28. Mish Mash Carrie Grant

CD2
1. I Want A Girl The Imaginations
2. Turn Me Loose Lois Lane
3. Eyes Yvonne Baker
4. I'll Get By Without You Kenny Gamble & Tommy Bell
5. It's Needless To Say Bernard Williams
6. Just Tell It Like It Is Delores Lynn
7. If It Wasn't For Pride Jimmy Dee
8. EVOL (Love Spelled Backwards) Bobby Bennett
9. You Set My Soul On Fire The Buttons
10. It's Too Late Darling Bobby Parker
11. My Baby Loves You Little Floyd
12. Mr Moonlight Lenny O' Henry
13. The Big Search Is On Delores Lynn
14. My Only Prayer Lois Lane
15. Dutch Treat The Utopians
16. Take All Of My Life Carrie Grant
17. Nobody Knows Donnie Elbert
18. On Fire The Stylettes
19. If He's A Good Man Jean Wells
20. There's Something On Your Mind The Jolly Jax
21. Find Another Love The Tams
22. I Sold My Heart to the Junkman The Blue-Belles
23. Walter The Kittens
24. One Little Boy Had Money Don Covay
25. I Think Of You Lady Fox & The Foxetttes
26. I'm Counting Every Tear Eddie Holman
27. I've Got A Woman (Pts 1 & 2) Jimmy McGriff