Angel In Anguish: The Deep, Deep Soul Of Bobby Bland [CD]

Bobby Bland, the Tennessee-born singer who rose to prominence in the late 50s/early 60s scored over 50 hit singles and 23 Top 10 hits on the Billboard R&B charts. This essential collection includes all the tracks from 1961s Two Steps from The Blues plus a selection of sides from the late '50s and early '60s, remastered from the original sound. Sleevenotes by Dave Henderson of Mojo. Bobby Bland is Mr Soul. Hes James Brown before James Brown, hes the plaintive cry of lonesome Ray Charles. And yet on the swinging hip-shaker "Don't Cry No More", he's the impassioned Godfather of Mod. Musically the songs straddle a shaky line between jazz and blues and Blands emotive delivery, whatever the tempo, became one of the very first soul voices -- a distinctive, rich and engaging tone that was filled with lifes sometimes bitter experience. The songs on this compilation form a cohesive mix that allows the vocal to weave its spell. Theyve been specially selected from countless 45s to create a seamless soundtrack of one of the great soul voices.