Friday 27 November 2015

Don’t Play That Song – BEN E. KING***

Don’t Play That Song/Ecstasy/On The Horizon/Show Me The Way/Here Comes The Night/First Taste Of Love/ Stand By Me/Yes/Young Boy Blues/The Hermit Of Misty Hollow/I Promise Love/Brace Yourself

As well as the title track Don’t Play That Song also contains the best known solo single from the former lead singer of The Drifters, Ben E. King. Stand By Me, reached No. 1 in the UK when re-released in 1987.

“Apparently Ben E. King actually did record other songs besides the timeless Stand By Me. This LP, one of his earliest apart from The Drifters, is cheesy and nerdish right down to that laughable shot on the cover. The music is warm, satisfying and easy to embrace but the aforementioned Stand By Me is the only true compositional triumph.”

“The title track's good, and there's a lot of filler, but it also has Stand By Me, which is one of the best songs ever recorded.”

“I was captivated by the sound of Ben E King's voice, the lyrics to the songs and their orchestration.”

“Opening up with Don't Play That Song and followed through with a string of his early singles and their B sides. The LP winds up with Brace Yourself, which is very fitting as you will be....for another listen.”

Don't Play That Song is pure ear candy, with the B sides of King's hits being as enjoyable as the chart toppers. Especially nice to hear is On The Horizon, which could have been a hit on its own and The Hermit Of Misty Mountain. A great LP for fans of R & B music of the 1960s.”

“His honeyed voice on the album's opening title track can induce goose bumps. He also really shines on the march-like Here Comes The Night and the light rock number The Hermit Of Misty Mountain."

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