LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

2 in 1 CD
Quote From AMG: "Wet Willie was, after the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd, the hardest-rocking of the Southern bands to come to national attention in the early 1970s. For seven years, from 1971 until 1978, they produced an enviable array of albums awash in good-time music, rollicking high-energy blues-rock, and white Southern soul, and for their trouble they racked up just one Top Ten hit 'Keep On Smilin'' (included here) - and a lot of admirers". Now appearing for the first time as a 2 on 1 CD, these two albums are their third and fourth studio releases, originally on the Capricorn label, the same label as the Allman Brothers & The Marshall Tucker band. Unusual among Southern boogie bands of the 70's, Wet Willie included a strong R&B element in its music. ï?¬ 'Keep On Smilin'' is the definitive Wet Willie studio album. Produced by studio veteran Tom Dowd, who was responsible for producing/engineering some of the greatest soul records to come out of Atlantic Records, cutting classics by Aretha Franklin ('Respect'), Ben E King ('Stand By Me'), Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, 2 on 1 CD
Solomon Burke and The Bar-Kays as well as scores of important rock albums, too, including numerous dates with Cream ('Disraeli Gears'), the Young Rascals, the Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, Derek & The Dominos ('Layla'), Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dr. John, Delaney & Bonnie, Black Oak Arkansas, Dusty Springfield and Rod Stewart, to name just a few.ï?¬ 'Dixie Rock' was the follow-up album to 'Keep On Smilin'' and included the band's new backing group, the Williettes - adding a substantial gospel flavour to proceedings - and is a worthy successor and another excellent yet underated entry in the band's catalogue. 'Leona' (a minor hit single), is pure greasy Southern singalong funk and rock that, along with the title cut, slots into Willie's established sound. The R&B-drenched 'It's Gonna Stop Rainin' Soon', featuring sublime slide work from Ricky Hirsch and Jimmy Hall's mournful harp, along with the deep Delta blues of 'Jailhouse Moan', help make this one of the band's most cohesive works, although it takes a few spins for its charms to be appreciated.
track listing:
KEEP ON SMILING:1. Country Side Of Life 2. Keep On Smilin'3. Trust In The Lord 4. Soul Sister5. Alabama 6. Lucy Was In Trouble7. Soul Jones 8. Don't Wait Too Long9. Spanish Moss 10. In Our HeartsDIXIE ROCK:11. She's My Lady 12. Ain't He A Mess13. Dixie Rock 14. Poor Judge Of Character15. Mama Didn't Raise No Fools16. It's Gonna Stop Rainin' Soon17. Jailhouse Moan 18. He Set Me Free19. Leona's Home Cookin' Cafe20. Take It To The Music