Joe Simon

If Simon had for some reason not recorded much after the mid-'60s, this is how he would be remembered: a soul journeyman, one of many good singers in search of a style and excellent material. Of course, he found that in the latter half of the 1960s. But on this 24-track compilation of sides for Hush, Vee Jay, and other labels in the early and mid-'60s, we hear a good but derivative singer; "The Whoo Pee," for instance, is a clear Junior Walker knockoff. This is more explicitly gospel and roots R&B-influenced than his famous work, and while the tunes are serviceable, there's nothing that stands out as arresting, or even something that especially deserved to be a hit with better luck. It's certainly a useful disc for historians; it even has some previously issued cuts, as well as three songs he recorded with the Goldtones in 1959 and 1960. Interestingly, several of the early-'60s sides benefit from songwriting and musical accompaniment by Johnny Heartsman, who would eventually make a name for himself as a blues artist. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide