Home In Your Heart: The Best Of Solomon Burke CD

This double-CD set covers highlights from Solomon Burke's Atlantic career, from his first hit, the groundbreaking country soul of "Home in Your Heart," to later 1960s Southern soul sessions in Memphis. This enterprising minister, mortician, and father of 21 children had a successful '60s run on the R&B charts, and HOME IN YOUR HEART highlights the consistent quality of both his voice and his material.

The first disc is more pop-oriented; the second focuses on Burke's unstoppable R&B talents and distinctive country soul bent, begging the question of why this intensely likeable and adaptable singer couldn't sustain a successful music career through the '70s and '80s. Particularly endearing is "I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to Be Free" with its late-'60s emphasis on equality, peace, and understanding. "Party People" conjures the ghost of Sam Cooke, while "I Feel a Sin Coming On," apart from having a great title, is quintessential country soul, ushering in a group of songs underlining Burke's church-oriented side such as Joe Tex's "Meet Me in Church" and Eddie Floyd's "Someone is Watching." For fans of 1960s R&B who prefer a little country and a little church in their Memphis soul stew, HOME IN YOUR HEART is a sure-fire winner.

Includes liner notes by Gerri Hirshey.

Digitally remastered by Ted Jensen, January 1992.

This is part of Rhino's Atlantic & Atco Remasters Series.

Live Recording

Reissue producer: Yves Beauvais.

Personnel includes: Solomon Burke (vocals); Eric Gale, Reggie Young, Bert Berns (guitar); Herb Wasserman (flute, tenor saxophone) Seldon Powell (alto & tenor saxophone); Leon Cohen (alto saxophone); Alonzo "Buddy" Lucas (tenor saxophone); Haywood Henry (baritone saxophone); Snooky Young (trumpet); Benny Powell (trombone); Hank Jones (piano); Bobby Emmons (electric piano); Spooner Oldham (organ); Roger Hawkins, Bernard Purdie (drums); The Van Dykes (background vocals).

Producers include: Jerry Wexler, Bert Berns, Tom Dowd, Bob Gallo, Dan Penn.

Q (9/93, p.104) - 4 Stars - Excellent