Complete Syl Johnson on Hi Records

Yes, those Al Green comparisons are almost unavoidable due to Willie Mitchell's trademark production. But Syl Johnson is a fine singer in his own right and this is a very good compilation, a fine introduction to his music. It doesn't have his biggest hit, "Is It Because I'm Black", nor some of the songs that many hip-hop artists are fond of sampling, but there are more than a few keepers on this collection. There are also some weak moments too: the unneccessary cover of "Stand By Me," the going-through-the-motions Otis Redding medley, and a few songs slathered with too music disco-era sweetness. But that's not surprising since this is indeed the "Complete" recordings on Hi, and not just a "Best of" compiliation. So, this requires a bit of wading through the musical mud to get to the goodies, but it's worth the effort.

I just love his old school music. Great listening to when I'm on the highway, and it help me to keep rolling on down the road. Or on up the road for that matter.

...but that's a good thing. Syl, and this collection, provide a wide range of songs from slow grooves to dance funk. It's impossible to not compare him to (or even confuse him with) Al Green though he doesn't work the upper registers or long notes quite as much. But the performances are just as great and it's too bad he did not have the same level of success. And having four albums plus more in one place is a blessing. Five stars.

If you love Soul, Rhythm & Blues music you need this in your library

A+

Excellent collection of all Syl Johnson records on Hi. Amazing strong material with the Hi band backing this great diverse soul/blues singer! We Did It, I Let A Good Girl Go are among the stand out tracks.If you like this be sure to check out the Complete Mythology set of Syl on Numero Group records.

I enjoyed one of Syl Johnson's tracks on the radio the other week, then put his name in Amazon and found this great CD. It is easy listenening while driving my car. I recommend this CD to buy.

perfect

Y cuando de Syl Johnson hablamos, me refiero al verdadero y único soul, tal como él y otros grandes del género lo concibieron a partir de los 60 (Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Clarence Carter, Don Covay, Booker T. & the MG's, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Arthur Conley y muchos otros). Album doble de gran concepción. Vale la pena!

Syl seems to be little-known here. Certainly my circle of friends and family don't know the name. I picked up one of his albums in the 1980s as a teenager, and didn't quite get his style. I listened again more recently, and suddenly completely understood what his music was all about. I won't bore you with my views on that, except to say that his take on blues and soul are full of energy and feeling. He really does "get down" as they say.My only gripe about this collection is that it misses out my favourite Syl track - Ms Fine Brown Frame.