The Best of Sam & Dave [Atlantic]

Performer: Sam & Dave
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Sam & Dave: Sam Moore, David Prater (vocals). Producers: Jim Stewart, Isaac Hayes, David Porter. Recorded between 1965 & 1968. Includes original release liner notes by Bob Rolontz. During the early '80s, Atlantic released newer compilations from some of the most popular R&B artists from the '60s, including Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett. The Best of Sam & Dave perhaps works even better. Although the duo's 1969 greatest hits remains definitive from a pop culture and song choice perspective, this boasts superior sound and zero filler. Like all of their compilations of merit, The Best of Sam & Dave proves the precision of the backing from Booker T. and the MG's and the duo's most illustrious songwriting team, Isaac Hayes and David Porter. The writing team's masterwork, the amazing and kinetic "Soul Man" was in line with the burgeoning black pride of the time. While other well-known tracks like "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby" and "Hold on, I'm Comin'" are here, The Best of Sam & Dave also culls other songs that are just as potent. The humorous "Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody" and the hard-driving yet quirky "Wrap It Up" all display the singular one-two punch of Moore's narrow and irascible tone pitted against Prater's woebegone baritone. Arguably the best track, the phenomenal "I Thank You" closes the compilation on a high note. Although the duo did switch officially to Atlantic by the early '70s, this compilation stops at the prime Stax material. The Best of Sam & Dave had a brief shelf life and was supplanted by more extensive overviews. As a compilation spotlighting the hits, this does the job. ~ Jason Elias

Q - Highly Recommended

The definitive '60s soul duo, Sam & Dave had both top-flight songs and one of the world's funkiest and most supple backing bands. The high-energy soulfulness of their performances has been copied by just about every bar band in the country, but never equaled. Their signature tunes "Hold On I'm Comin'," and "Soul Man" are part of R&B history.

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