The Hesitations

Features Cleveland, OH's Hesitations' successful soul interpretations of pop favorites: "Born Free" and "the Impossible Dream"; Bobby and Richard Poindexter's lilting "Love Is Everywhere"; and a strong rendition of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come." These 23 tracks don't get the love their pre-"Born Free" tracks -- considered classic four-on-the-floor Northern soul -- receive. This is an injustice. The arrangements are more elaborate, the vocals more varied, and the songs classier. The pop remakes took precedent over the more traditional soul they cut during this period; but "I Wish It Could Be Me," "Overworked and Underpaid," and "Who Will Answer" are solid. A third try at pop remaking, the exhilarating "Climb Every Mountain," is also onboard. Surprising, however, are the omissions of B-sides: "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" and "If You Ever Need a Hand"; and both sides of "With Pen in Hand" and "A Whiter Shade of Pale," their final Kapp single. Not to mention the GWP sides where they backed Debbie Taylor. Not a complete picture, but still a wonderful CD. Arthur Blakely is a thrilling singer; his preachy Type-A tenor is countered by Leonard Veal's mellower Type-B vocalizing. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide