An eminent music writer once described Nancy Wilson as the Marmite of soul and jazz. The scribe went on to say that many found her work a little too antiseptic, clinical, lacking passion even while others found her cool, laid-back and unique styling appealing and attractive. At the start I need to say that this hack falls into that second category. While the Ohio born singer will never be classed as a classic soul diva nor be out there with the first ladies of jazz, her music has bags and bags of soulful appeal that has endeared her to many. Indeed this writer counts Ms Wilson’s ‘Guess Who I Saw Today’ and the monumental ‘Face It Girl, It’s Over’ amongst his all-time favourites, while the Northern crowd revere her ‘The End Of Our Love’ (coincidentally, the B side to ‘Face It…’).
So, I’m delighted to herald this magnificent and comprehensive 124 track, 7 CD collection from Cherry Red/ Soul Music/ Second Disc. The box set chronicles the period between 1970- 1980 and offers 12 of the albums she recorded for her long stay label, Capitol, during that period. Eleven of the 12 albums have previously been reissued by Soul Music but most are now out of print, so good to have ‘em all back and easily accessible.
The first CD in the box delivers Ms Wilson’s 1971 LP ‘But Beautiful’ – an album that confirms that, despite the nay sayers, she was a formidable jazz performers. The songs are standards and performed with a stellar jazz quartet – Hank Jones (piano), Grady Tate (drums), Ron Carter (bass) and Gene Bertoncini (guitar). The remaining albums see the singer delivering across the soul, pop and jazz genres. Soul collectors, in particular, will find much to treasure – especially her work with Gamble and Huff. While the version of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Come Get To This’ is a real standout. Back in the day, the rumour mill had it that Gaye sang harmonies on the recording – but that’s never been confirmed. Then there’s a passionate cover of James Taylor’s ‘Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight’ – grab a listen and you’ll never doubt her soul credentials!
As with all Soul Music box sets, the presentation is lavish. There are quotes from Dionne Warwick, Johnny Mathis and Kenny Lattimore and individual essays on each of the 12 albums by writers Joe Marchese, A, Scott Galloway, Kevin Goins and David Nathan. The latter’s inclusions are poignant as Nathan considered Nancy Wilson a dear friend who he interviewed many times.
(BB) 4/5
