The Ovations feat. Louis Williams - Goldwax Recordings (2013)

Tracklist
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01. I've Gotta Go
02. I Know You Don't Want Me
03. Don't Cry
04. I Believe I'll Go Back Home
05. I Miss You Baby
06. Let's Stick Together
07. Qualifications
08. Recipe For Love
09. I'm Living Good
10. Ride My Troubles And Blues Away
11. Happiness
12. You Had Your Choice
13. Adios Senorita
14. Pretty Little Angel
15. Rockin' Chair
16. What Did I Do Wrong
17. They Say
18. Dance Party
19. I Need A Lot Of Loving
20. Me And My Imagination
21. Peace Of Mind
22. I Like Summertime
23. When It Comes To Loving
24. You And Tom
25. Won't You Call
26. It's Wonderful To Be In Love
Most of the material the Ovations did for Goldwax between 1964 and 1969 is on this 26-track compilation, Goldwax Recordings, including the two modest R&B hits they landed during that time ("It's Wonderful to Be in Love" and "Me and My Imagination") and a few previously unissued outtakes and alternate versions. If you've ever wondered what Sam Cooke might have sounded like if he'd been part of a vocal group rather than a solo artist, these Ovations sides answer that question better than any other soul ever recorded. Lead singer Louis Williams in particular mimics Cooke's style of phrasing and intonation quite accurately. This isn't as much of a compliment as it might appear, however, because Williams and the Ovations are so heavily derivative of Cooke that it's a little unsettling. Too, neither the group nor their songs are as good as the classic material that Cooke managed, and are certainly nowhere near as original. Some of the late-'60s tracks understandably have a slicker, more orchestrated style of production than Cooke used, but on other counts, the similarity is pretty extreme. The comparisons are unavoidable, but those points made, it can still be said that this is pretty decent Cooke-styled soul, well-sung and well-produced.
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