“famed new orleans singer and pianist willie tee gives one of his finest ever performances on this classic release from 1969. recorded under the guidance of grammy award-winning composer/arranger david axelrod, whose credits include stan kenton, lou rawls and countless others, i’m only a man introduced heavy orchestration and sweeping arrangements to tee’s music, yet without sacrificing the emotional complexity of his vocals.
original compositions such as "mirror" and the fantastic opener "bring on the heartaches" are balanced by superb cover versions of "by the time i get to phoenix" and "people," with some beautiful surprises (see the bold, cinematic sound of "lonliness") in between.
get on down is proud to present willie tee’s classic album “i’m only a man” for the first time ever on cd, packaged in a paste-on mini-lp case with die cut obi strip and dust sleeve, featuring a new digital audio transfer from the original analog tapes and a bonus track, the non-lp single "love of a married man."
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easily one of the best albums i’ve heard this year, and if you check out the pr blurb above, then i think its self explanatory as to just what it is i find so appealing about this album.
the orchestral instrumentation is pure david axelrod gold, and the vocals fit the heart searching soul vibes perfectly.
in recent times its become clear that i love it when hard working hip hop lovin’ folks decided to go back to the source and dig out dusty albums that i would otherwise never have an opportunity to hear, and that is what i suspect the folks behind this reissue label, get on down, are.
have a quick looksie at the label website and its clear that they are lovers of hip hop ..
whatever the case, the label is clearly doing something right, from the quality of the packaging (hard cardboard covers, encased in protective plastic slipcases with an obi strip !), to the choice of ‘lost’ albums that they are giving another lease of life to.
long may this quest for perfection continue.
more detail : here