Iām Only a Man (Purple Vinyl)
Label: Real Gone Music
Genre: Soul
$39.99
Availability: In stock
Even though it came out on a major label, this record sells for hundreds of dollars if you can find it at all (we knowā¦we paid for a copy), and itās no wonderā¦itās the perfect blend of raw R&B passion and smooth, sophisticated soul production. First, the passion partā¦Willie Tee was a New Orleans pianist and singer best known for recording a series of burninā 45s (some cut for Harold Battisteās short-lived AFO label) during the ā60s. Iām Only a Man was Willieās album debut, cut for Capitol in 1970, and he brought the same deep-seated intensity to the record that he did his singles. The difference was, for Iām Only a Man, Willieās warm, raspy voice was lovingly bathed in spectacular arrangements by H. B. Barnum and produced by the great David Axelrod. Strings, brass, xylophone, bluesy guitar licks, and a funky rhythm section are all percolating inside this recordās grooves, with a daring choice of material that ranges from Cannonball Adderleyās āWalk Tallā to the Bacharach-David nugget āReach Out for Meā to the self-penned highlights āMirrorā and āBring On the Heartachesā to the album closer āPeopleā from Funny Girl. Capitol wasnāt known for breaking soul acts at the time, which may explain why this record remains a cult classic; weāre happy to give it the exposure it deserves, with a purple vinyl pressing limited to 1000 copies. First-ever LP reissue!