The Essential Masters With Billy Ward and His Dominoes

Product Description
Features songs not available on any other Jackie Wilson collection

"If it wasn’t for Billy Ward, there’d be no Jackie Wilson." Most rhythm and blues vocal groups of the 1950s would have been in deep trouble had they lost a lead singer as innovative and influential as Clyde McPhatter. But Billy Ward’s Dominoes didn’t miss a beat when McPhatter left in the spring of 1953 and formed The Drifters. Billy Ward had a replacement rehearsed and ready to go in the spectacular Jackie Wilson. Blessed with an astonishing vocal range, Jackie effortlessly handled the R&B jumps and ballads that the group was famous for, along with the straight pop fare that Ward was increasingly favoring.

The Essential Masters With Billy Ward and His Dominoes,Jackie Wilson,Varese Records,Doo Wop,Oldies,Pop,Pop-Soul,R&B

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Average customer rating: mr ward Even better than I had a right to expect!!! Jackie Wilson's First Recordings & Hits A vocal genius

The Essential Masters With Billy Ward and His Dominoes Jackie Wilson Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Doo Wop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: 14 Hits, Volume Three Beautiful Day/Nobody But You Very Best of Billy Ward & Dominoes Whispers Don't Knock the Rock / Rock Around the Clock ASIN: B0002IQAMC Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

1. You Cant Keep A Good Man Down
2. Until The Real Thing Comes Along
3. Im Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town
4. Above Jacobs Ladder
5. Love Me Now Or Let Me Go
6. Bobby Sox Baby
7. St. Louis Blues
8. One Moment With You
9. Rags To Riches
10. Christmas In Heaven
11. Tenderly
12. A Little Lie
13. Three Coins In The Fountain
14. Little Things Mean A Lot
15. Learnin The Blues
16. Give Me You
17. Thats How You Know Youre Growing Old
18. The Rainy Day Blues - Jackie Wilson with the Billy Mitchell Band
19. Danny Boy - Jackie Wilson with the Billy Mitchell Band

Album Description

Features songs not available on any other Jackie Wilson collection

"If it wasn't for Billy Ward, there'd be no Jackie Wilson." Most rhythm and blues vocal groups of the 1950s would have been in deep trouble had they lost a lead singer as innovative and influential as Clyde McPhatter. But Billy Ward's Dominoes didn't miss a beat when McPhatter left in the spring of 1953 and formed The Drifters. Billy Ward had a replacement rehearsed and ready to go in the spectacular Jackie Wilson. Blessed with an astonishing vocal range, Jackie effortlessly handled the R&B jumps and ballads that the group was famous for, along with the straight pop fare that Ward was increasingly favoring.

Customer Reviews:

mr ward.......2006-03-11

the man who was rock and roll. clyde,bill, jackie and gene. little things mean a lot

Even better than I had a right to expect!!!.......2004-12-29

When you stop and think about it, the great Jackie Wilson was really just kind of "warming up" during his splendid stint as the young lead singer of Billy Ward and the Dominoes. When the legendary Clyde McPhatter left the Dominoes to pursue a solo career in 1952, Billy Ward was savvy enough to hire Jackie Wilson to replace him. And although the style of the music would change a bit the results were still the same. Billy Ward and His Dominoes continued to churn out some of the finest R&B sides of the 1950's.
Varese Sarabande has done themselves proud in this brand new 2004 collection. You will find 17 sensational tracks from the King/Federal vaults. Those who like down and dirty blues will enjoy tunes like "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down" and "I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town". Gospel fans are sure to appreciate the 1954 release "Above Jacobs Ladder". But in his heart of hearts Jackie Wilson was a crooner who most enjoyed belting out a love song. Happily, there are several outstanding examples of that on this disc. I would call to your attention first and foremost Jackie's incredible vocal performance on "Three Coins In The Fountain". You might recall the Four Aces version that was a huge hit on the pop charts. Jackie Wilson will make you forget all about that one. You thought you liked Tony Bennett's "Rags To Riches"? Tell me what you think after you hear Jackie belt out the same tune. And there are several more outstanding vocal performances here including "Tenderly", "St Louis Blues" and "Learnin' The Blues" from 1955. And as an added bonus the folks at Varese Sarabande have added a couple of extremely rare tracks to this collection from Jackie Wilson's days at tiny Dee Gee records.
"The Rainy Day Blues" and "Danny Boy" were tunes that were released before Jackie joined Billy Ward. A real treat!
As the title of my review indicates, this collection was even better than I expected. There is also a well done 8 page booklet included and the remastering job is top notch! Jackie Wilson would achieve stardom as a solo artist at Brunswick Records after he left Billy Ward. But this collection is compelling evidence that some of his very finest sides may well have been recorded with Billy Ward and the Dominoes. Grab this disc, give it a listen and see what you think!!!

Jackie Wilson's First Recordings & Hits.......2004-11-17

This CD is a must for any fan of the great Jackie Wilson. It contains all of his recordings he made during his tenure with Billy Ward & His Dominoes (while on the King/Federal label). It also contains the first recordings he made before joining the group. Wilson first recorded two songs on the Dee Gee label in 1952 under the name Sonny Wilson. Backed by the Billy Mitchell Band, these two songs show that Jackie had an amazing voice at 18. The first of these two songs (The Rainy Day Blues) is a great bluesy number. The second (Danny Boy) was a Wilson favorite that he would comit to vinyl three more times throughout his career. While these are fine recordings Wilson seems to lack direction a bit. Just a few months later he would find that direction when he was invited to join the Dominoes on the road. The group was under the command of the ever proper Billy Ward who ran the group like a military outfit. Ward gave Wilson guidance he needed. He gave him vocal lessons, trained him in presenting himself on and off stage. He even suggested the name change of his nick name Sonny back to his given name Jack. Ward became a father figure to Wilson and in 1953 when the groups lead tenor Clyde McPhatter stepped out Jackie Wilson stepped in. The groups first release with Jackie on lead was a hit. The rocking "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down" (which is presented here in an unedited version not heard before). Followed by "Rags To Riches" a #1 hit for Tony Bennett that year. Wilson sings it more as a bluesy ballad that's far superior to the Bennett hit. From here the hits stopped. There are some really great performances like "I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town", "Until The Real Thing Comes Along", "Christmas In Heaven" & "Give Me You". The rest of the songs for the most part are covers of popular hits of the time. Wilson's vocals are incredible on these songs, however, these were mostly recorded because Ward was having his group perform in Vegas. By 1955 Ward took the the group to the Jubilee label, which only saw two non-hit singles released. (Anyone looking for these rare recordings should seek out the CD "The Dominoes Meet The Ravens".) In 1956 the group landed on the Decca label for an album and the groups first pop hit since "Sixty Minute Man", "St. Therese Of The Roses". (Sadly only two songs from these sessions have made it to CD.) After this Ward would take the group onto the Liberty label with the hits "Star Dust" and "Deep Purple" (This period of the groups career is available on the CD "The Best Of Fifties Masters 1957-1959.) Wilson by 1957 signed with Brunswick Records and launched his solo career as well as the careers of future Chess records producer Billy Davis and Motown founder Berry Gordy with the hit "Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want To Meet)". As for this great CD I highly recomend it. Aside from the never before released on CD Sonny Wilson sides, it's got great sound, great liner notes and the great Jackie Wilson. Enjoy!

A vocal genius.......2004-10-08

If Jackie were around today he would still pack em in.
These early Jackie tracks, recorded when he was 18-21, show the amazing vocal range a unique talent Jackie had.
His voice could never be confused with any other artist. Nobody could outsing Jackie and the man lived to sing and perform.

A true pioneer.

Buy the album and enjoy.

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