Don Covay Mercy!/See-Saw CD

2 On 1 CD;1964/1966

2 LPs on 1 CD: MERCY! (1964)/SEE-SAW (1966).
Contains 23 tracks.
Personnel: The Goodtimers (vocals); Steve Cropper, Billy Butler, Bob Bushnell (guitar); Andrew Love (tenor saxophone); Floyd Newman (baritone saxophone); Dicky Harris (trombone); Booker T. Jones (piano, organ); Horace Ott (piano); Donald "Duck" Dunn (electric bass); Al Jackson, Jr., Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (drums).
Recording information: New York, NY (1964-1965).
Director: Horace Ott.
In 2000, Koch reissued Don Covay's two classic mid-'60s albums, Mercy and See-Saw, on one tremendous CD. The term "classic" is thrown around haphazardly in pop music, but these are two sublime records that earn the term, even if they're not as roundly celebrated as platters from Otis Redding or even cult favorite James Carr. Though he racked up a number of singles on the R&B charts, he never had a huge crossover hit, but his music stands as some of the most effervescent, infectious soul of the '60s (not to mention that his vocal style was a clear inspiration to Mick Jagger). What makes his music so remarkable is how it's earthy Southern soul, kicking really hard in its rhythms and with plenty of growl in Covay's voice, but is as nimble, tuneful, and sunny as the sounds coming out of Chicago and Detroit during the mid-'60s. Perhaps that's why he never quite got a huge single -- he straddled the two popular sounds without fully being part of either. It may have not resulted in big singles, but it resulted in splendid music. If there's not much difference stylistically between Mercy and See-Saw -- they're both pretty much cut from the same cloth -- there's also little difference in quality. It's all tremendous, enjoyable, sweet Southern soul. Razor & Tie's Mercy Mercy: The Definitive Don Covay provides the definitive overview, but for a pure concentration of Covay at his peak, this is irresistible and essential. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Though often overshadowed by higher-profile Southern R&B artists like Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett, Don Covay ranks among the greatest soul singers of the 1960s. In addition to his fantastic voice--light enough to sail through pop melodies, yet gruff enough to shake with gospel fervor--Covay is a superb songwriter. MERCY! and SEE-SAW, two albums from the mid-'60s, feature many of Covay's best songs, and find him at the peak of his form as a vocalist. This Koch two-for-one disc provides the invaluable service of putting these classic soul albums under a single cover.
The music here is irresistible, with its mix of raw, energetic expression and bright, jazzy melodies and arrangements (the way Covay's band sounds both breezy and muscular at once is marvelous). From the sashaying groove of "Mercy, Mercy" to the propulsive back and forth of "See-Saw" (also a sizeable hit for Aretha Franklin), through heart-wrenching ballads ("Precious You") and party-oriented jams ("Come on In"), there is hardly an unsatisfying moment across these 23 tracks. That MERCY!/SEE-SAW is not a comprehensive overview of Covay's career is the only deterrent for newcomers, but otherwise the goods on this brilliant soul singer are right here in one essential package.