“Nucleus Of Soul” by O.V. Wright - album review

features in: Album Chart of 1969Album Chart of the Decade: 1960s

TJR says

Famed producer Willie Mitchell was at the helm for Overton Vertis’s second new music album on Backbeat. As O.V. put it: “Willie's been knowing me since I was a baby, and he would produce me, 'cause we had a friendship thing.” O.V.’s gospel roots shine on this one, augmented by an evocative church-like organ on many of the numbers, although the first two tracks are somewhat unrepresentative. Album opener is “Blowin’ In The Wind”, a rather weak country cover of Dylan’s standard. Everyone’s feeling Martin Luther at this time, but there’s no need for such trite servings. “I’m Gonna Forget About You” and “You’re So Good To Me” sharpen things up over the next few tracks; both are Stax-esque dancefloor driven productions, with some neat brass backing. Apart from these, the album is dominated by the yearning southern soul ballads as the liner notes tell: “In this particular album you will hear the true O.V. Wright performing with all the brilliance, feeling and love all the songs he just loves to sing… this is why we call this album NUCLEUS OF SOUL” I’ll give them that for at least 3 of these numbers. “Why Not Give Me A Chance” (Jackie Verdell, 1963) closes side 1 in fine style, just as “Pledging My Love” (Johnny Ace, 1954) does the same at the opening of side 2. It’s the second side which has all the strength in depth; “I’ll Take Care Of You” (Bobby Bland, 1959) burns deepest. All in all, a fine offering; all is forgiven for the cheesy opener.

The Jukebox Rebel
12–Jun–2012

Tracklist
A1 [02:32] 4.6.png O.V. Wright - Blowing In The Wind (Robert Zimmerman) Country
A2 [02:14] 6.0.png O.V. Wright - I’m Gonna Forget About You (Overton Vertis Wright) Soul
A3 [02:14] 5.7.png O.V. Wright - I Have None (Overton Vertis Wright) Soul Ballad
A4 [02:20] 5.8.png O.V. Wright - You’re So Good To Me (Overton Vertis Wright) Soul
A5 [02:45] 7.7.png O.V. Wright - Why Not Give Me A Chance (Jackie Verdell) Soul Ballad
B1 [02:31] 7.4.png O.V. Wright - Pledging My Love (Ferdinand Washington, Donald Robey) Soul Ballad
B2 [03:23] 7.0.png O.V. Wright - This Hurt Is Real (Donald Robey, Vernon Morrison) Soul Ballad
B3 [02:30] 6.7.png O.V. Wright - I’ll Hate Myself Tomorrow (Donald Robey, Vernon Morrison) Soul Ballad
B4 [03:12] 8.6.png O.V. Wright - I’ll Take Care Of You (Brook Benton) Soul Ballad
B5 [02:47] 7.0.png O.V. Wright - I Want Everyone To Know (Don Bryant) Soul Ballad
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