Me And Mrs. Jones: The Best Of Billy Paul

Amazon.com
Billy Paul might've been just an archetypal '70s Philly-soul love man with a slightly over-formal jazz-trained voice, melodramatic arrangements, and one great cheating song (the title track), but there was a side of him that was a revolutionary dressed as a Casanova: some of his best crooning was in the service of black power. Curtis Mayfield's early solo work is the obvious template for epics such as "Black Wonders of the World," but recasting Paul McCartney's "Let 'Em In" as a civil rights anthem is a stroke of genius only a populist like Billy Paul could've had. The lighter, more apolitical songs here sometimes stagger under their Gamble-Huff production, but when Paul gets a chance to cut loose and jazz up a Dylan tune with a piano trio, it's a treat. --Douglas Wolk

Me And Mrs. Jones: The Best Of Billy Paul,Billy Paul,Sony,Philly Soul,Pop,R&B,Smooth Soul,Soul,Soul/R & B,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues

Average customer rating:

I've Me and Mrs. Jones the Best of Billy Paul
Great
Billy at his best from 1971-76.
Brought back memories....
TOTALLY AWESOME PHILLY CLASSICS~BRAVO BILLY PAUL!!!

Me And Mrs. Jones: The Best Of Billy Paul
Billy Paul
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Philly Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00000IIWW
Release Date: 1999-04-06

Tracks:

Me And Mrs. Jones
Billy's Back Home
Black Wonders Of The World
Let `Em In
Be Truthful To Me
Your Song
Thanks For Saving My Life
This Is Your Life
Bluesette
Don't Think Twice . . . It's All Right
Am I Black Enough For You
Love Buddies
I Think I'll Stay Home Today
When Love Is New

Amazon.com

Billy Paul might've been just an archetypal '70s Philly-soul love man with a slightly over-formal jazz-trained voice, melodramatic arrangements, and one great cheating song (the title track), but there was a side of him that was a revolutionary dressed as a Casanova: some of his best crooning was in the service of black power. Curtis Mayfield's early solo work is the obvious template for epics such as "Black Wonders of the World," but recasting Paul McCartney's "Let 'Em In" as a civil rights anthem is a stroke of genius only a populist like Billy Paul could've had. The lighter, more apolitical songs here sometimes stagger under their Gamble-Huff production, but when Paul gets a chance to cut loose and jazz up a Dylan tune with a piano trio, it's a treat. --Douglas Wolk

Customer Reviews:

I've Me and Mrs. Jones the Best of Billy Paul.......2007-05-30

I've always adored Me and Mrs. Jones since it's release. It is so well done both musically and vocally. Mr. Paul's voice is pure magic. There is no one else that can ever do this song justice. The rest of the CD was as amazing as this song. His heart and soul was in every beat and word. I wish there were more artists in the upcoming singers of today that would stop and learn from such a grand talent as this. There is no need to drown the beautiful words with the instruments. If they are put together correctly you have a masterpiece.

Great.......2007-01-15

I luv this CD, i keep playing it over, old school is the best school.

Billy at his best from 1971-76........2007-01-11

Unfortunately, most of Billy Paul's early Philadelphia International LPs have yet to be reissued on CD--which is shameful as they rank among the classiest recordings which the label ever issued. Billy Paul was strongly influenced by such great Jazz crooners as Nat King Cole and Billy Eckstine--not surprisingly, he brought a degree of class and sophistication to the "Philly Sound" that only Lou Rawls would be able to duplicate. This CD offera a very fine (if incomplete) overview of his 1971-76 recordings. NOTE: If anyone from Sony Legacy reads this review I urge you to consider reissuing Billy's "Going East" and "Feeling Good At The Cadillac Club" on CD.

Brought back memories...........2005-12-23

This is an awesome CD!!! I had forgotten just how soulful Billy Paul is and how he was a strong voice for us in the '70's.
His rendition of "Blusette" is worth the price alone. Not a bad track on the entire album.

TOTALLY AWESOME PHILLY CLASSICS~BRAVO BILLY PAUL!!!.......2004-05-29

Rich and mellow tones and lots of passion make Billy Paul a peerless singer who is sadly overlooked even with the #1 Masterpiece "Me And Mrs. Jones" which was one of the biggest hits of the 70's and all the rest in this great collection match this classic!!! Dexter Wansel wrote and the brilliant Bobby Martin arranged the sentimental and moody "Billy's Back Home" plus the incredible Gamble/Huff "Black Wonders Of The World" which is a mesmerizing musical journey with Billy all over the map with a total engrossing vocal that is unlike anything I have ever heard in my life and guaranteed you will use the repeat button more than once on this gripping masterpiece!! Billy steals "Let 'Em In" from Paul McCartney and makes an athem for equality while saluting greats of the past making this a cooker that is totally unforgettable. As this great collection progresses you will realize that no male voice quite matches this one as it is incredibly great with a wonderful loose jazz sense to it that is winning and unusual. "Be Truthful To Me" has a driving rhythm and a great soulful vocal that is amazing and so loose and funky!!! Never had anyone done an Elton John cover that matches Billy's engaging take on "Your Song" and does it ever cook and I always use the repeat button on this awesome stunner!!! So loose and so soulful is this incredible singer that I cannot get enough of this guy as he is incomparable and makes all these great songs his own and the definitive versions!!! Just get this collection and by the time you get this far you will realize that you have made a rare musical discovery that is going to give you years of pleasure from here on out!!! "Thanks For Saving My Life" is another awesome cooker and every song throughtout this incredible collection will blow you away-guaranteed!!! Bravo Billy!!!! You are awesome and I wish you the best of everything life can give as you deserve it...

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