With his gospel influenced voice and a delivery not too dissimiliar to Sam Cooke, it is hard to believe that most folks are unaware of the immense talent that was Willie Hightower. Could it be because he only released three singles for Fame and one album for Capitol in the late '60s and then never recorded again ? To be honest I was unaware of him until last year when I stumbled upon him by accident. The song in question was Time Has Brought About A Change, which literally stopped me in my tracks when I heard it. As soon as I heard it there was no doubt that I would have to seek out more by him. This resulted in buying his one and only album, simply called Willie Hightower. Thankfully the track I heard was not a one off as the album is as good as anything to come out of the Muscle Shoals Fame studios. The funky guitars and the brass section, combined with Willie's raspy soulful delivery make this album, for me, one of the essential soul albums. It really is that good.
Time Has Brought About A Change
Is that the album on Honest John records Scott?agreed he is excellent
ReplyDeleteThe very one CC, such a great record.
ReplyDeleteScott, that's a tremendous song.
ReplyDeleteCheers George, his voice is incredible. This would be up there, for me, with any of the great soul tunes of that era.
ReplyDeleteFine tune and not a voice I am familiar with. Will need to investigate further. Thanks Scott
ReplyDeleteLee Woo - I feel that Willie H put his heart,mind and soul into these recordings!
ReplyDeleteI would concur CC, everything that Willie had seemed to go into that album. Maybe that's why we never got a follow up.
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