Take Me To The River: A Southern Soul Story 1961-1977 [Box set]

First thing i have to say is that this release is truly perfect , a work of art,in fact,that is worth every penny .And i'm not even talking about the music yet !
From the evocative photo which adorns the front cover (taken at a Stax session in the 60's) , to the colours , typography and design of the track listing on the back and the extensive hard-back booklet with tons of info and facts on all the artists and songs it is so obvious that lots of care, attention and hard work has gone into this release by everyone concerned , it's a real labour of love . Thank you.
And , of course , there's the actual music itself .......
OK , i'm biased . Soul is my true love when it comes to music and , specifically , soul of the Southern variety .I was pretty much certain to love most of the tracks on here but even i wasn't prepared for just how magnificent it all is .Even tracks i've become (overly) familiar with over the years seem to have taken on a new lease of life , old worn out classics have raised their game and got even better when placed alongside new (to me at any rate) slabs of mellow passionate genius . And that's what you get here , believe me , some of the greatest music ever recorded .
So . Packaging superb. Music even better .
Now the quibbles ! You knew they were coming didn't you , even the most perfect diamond has a flaw or two .In this case though they are minor and not really worth bothering about , i just thought i'd mention them anyway .Also they're personal so if you're thinking of buying this : DO IT ! Don't let my gripes put you off .
The first concerns my all time "greatest ever " song , by anyone , ever , in any genre . Namely "That's How Strong My Love Is" by the legendary O.V. Wright .A simply magnificent performance by all concerned and IT SHOULD BE ON HERE !
Secondly is "I'd Rather Go Blind " by Etta James .Yes , it's great but i for one am sick to death of it , seems like it's on every compilation i ever buy ! Overkill . I don't doubt that Etta should be on here (her Muscle Shoals work is class) but there's lots to choose from and It Hurts Me So Much or Almost Persuaded are under heard tracks which deserved a chance.

Still , like i said , thats just me , it can't be allowed to put you off and i'm sure the compilers will take those points on board for Volume 2 which , people , just HAS to happen . I mean , after such a triumph as this release there just has to be a sequel , surely ? Just give us another 75 tracks from the same period , i'll be first in the queue !
Anyway , an absolute triumph from start to finish , an utter masterpiece and a work of inspired genius . I love it .
To everyone at Kent and Ace Records and especially to Tony Rounce and Dean Rudland i say , sincerely , thank you .
Some esteemed reviewers in the monthly music magazines (as well as me and my friends) are saying that this just may be the greatest compilation ever released (in ALL genres!) and .....we're right !
Right , i simply must go and listen to "That's The Way Love Turned Out For Me" for the millionth time this week.........

A bit pricey for 3CD's but a marvellously thoughtful collection, nonetheless - one of the best I've heard. Very well-sequenced - better than the (rightly revered) Dave Godin comps. A fine mixture of the familiar and the less so. Too many standouts to mention but particular favourites include the magnificent 'I'm Through...' by Bobby Womack and Jarvis Jackson's 'Something I Never Had' (with the backing track even more compelling than the vocal). Nice to hear Quiet Elegance's version of 'You've Got My Mind Messed Up' rather than the more familiar James Carr version. All-in-all, this really is a first-rate effort. Get it before it disappears.

Sweet southern soul, a journey through some of the best soul and R&B music ever made.
This really is a gem and one of the best releases I've purchased in years.

I can't rate this highly enough, from the quality of the recordings and compilation through to the artwork and accompanying notes.

There's no point doing a track by track review - just take my advice and buy it - you won't regret it!