With his raspy-voice, Texas-born music legend Joe Tex dispensed his inimitable songs (many of them R&B crossover hits with rustic charm), witty stories, down-home wisdom, a dose of humor, the conviction of a gospel preacher and the passion of a true southern soul man. This quintessential collection contains 29 tracks from the beginning of his career. It serves as a perfect introduction to his early work, gathering a variety of the great sides he originally recorded for top labels such as King, Dial, and Ace Records between 1955 and 1962. Some of the material here isn’t available in other editions, nor has it ever been previously assembled together on one CD. While Tex was already an adept singer at this early stage, these songs are true snapshots of the time, when rhythm & blues was on the cusp of changing into rock & roll, or early rock & roll with hints of soul music. These are the recordings upon which Joe Tex’s reputation was built. Here you will find his deepest roots. It is enduring music and one of the primal conerstones of southern soul.

“If you like Tex at his ‘60s peak, this is suggested listening, both because it illustrates his roots and because it’s enjoyable on its own merits.” – Ritchie Unterberger (AMG)

PERSONNEL:

JOE TEX, lead vocals, plus:
Mickey Baker, Johnny Williams (guitar), Allen Toussaint, Huey Smith, Andy Gibson (piano),
Bubber Sud (organ), Earl Palmer, Gordon “Specs” Powell (drums), Dave Van Dyke (tenor saxophone),
Charles Sud (alto saxophone), and probably Bea Ford (backing vocals), among others.

Recorded between 1955 and 1962.

Also including:
16-PAGE BOOKLET - RARE PHOTOS - VINTAGE MEMORABILIA - DETAILED LINER NOTES

TRACKS:

01. CUT IT OUT 2:14
02. OPEN THE DOOR 1:42
03. ANOTHER MAN’S WOMAN 2:38
04. YOU LITTLE BABY FACED THING 2:26
05. MOTHER’S ADVICE 2:56
06. WHAT SHOULD I DO 2:04
07. JUST FOR YOU AND ME 2:38
08. YUM, YUM, YUM 1:57
09. GET WAY BACK 2:25
10. CHARLIE BROWN GOT EXPELLED 2:19
11. HAND SHAKIN’, LOVE MAKIN’, GIRL TALKIN’, SON-OF-A-GUN FROM
11. NEXT DOOR 2:12
12. COME IN THIS HOUSE 3:04
13. DAVY, YOU UPSET MY HOME 2:39
14. GRANNIE STOLE THE SHOW 2:14
15. I HAD TO COME BACK TO YOU 2:50
16. RIGHT BACK TO MY ARMS 2:26
17. DON’T HOLD IT AGAINST ME 2:20
18. SHE’S MINE 2:24
19. ONE GIANT STEP 3:00
20. THE PECK 2:33
21. BABY YOU’RE RIGHT 2:19
22. PNEUMONIA 2:43
23. I WANT TO HAVE A TALK WITH YOU 2:07
24. BE YOUR OWN JUDGE 2:37
25. BOYS WILL BE BOYS 2:31
26. THE ONLY GIRL (I’VE EVER LOVED) 2:35
27. AIN’T NOBODY’S BUSINESS (IF I DO) 2:17
28. MEET ME IN CHURCH 2:20
29. THE RIB 1:54

TOTAL TIME: 70:20