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From the Vault...
10/13/2002
#807 |
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info
Billy Stewart
"One More Time"
© Chess/MCA Records
Rating:
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track listing
Billy's Blues Part Two
Fat Boy
Reap What You Sow
Sugar And Spice
Strange Feeling
Count Me Out
I Do Love You
Keep Lovin'
Sitting In The Park
Love Me
Summertime
How Nice It Is
Because I Love You
Every Day
I Have The Blues
Secret Love
Cross My Heart
One More Time
Golly Golly Gee
Tell Me The Truth
I'm In Love
(Oh Yes I Am)
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Billy Stewart
"One More Time"
Billy Stewart is one of the unnoticed artists who some have never heard
of. We can only imagine if he had accomplish more; he died in a car accident
in 1970 at age 32, as his car plunged into the Neuse River in North Carolina,
along with three members of his band.
His soul-inspired music will raise great interest for many. Having the 1950s
sound on some, pure soul on the rest, Billy Stewart was a huge person, nicknamed
"Fat Boy" -- his huge appearance and voice created some of the best soulful
ballads, that is sure to inspire future singers. His One More Time
release is a greatest hits compilation, with songs from 1956 to 1969.
His most popular hit was "Summertime," yet his soulful ballads are
the ones that really stand out: Songs such as "Reap What You Sow", "Strange
Feeling." And two songs that are personal favorites of mine are his ballads
"I Do Love You" (which can easily, and should be, a great song for
weddings), and "Sitting In The Park" Both these songs can easily be
merged together as a medley, which is how I discovered these tunes, from a band
that featured my former bass player, when he formed a lounge band after our
band's breakup.
Songs in the upbeat soul style such as "Summertime," truly still
sounds exceptional as of today. "Sugar And Spice," "Count Me Out"
proves that songs written in this style aren't heard today. Even "Keep
Lovin'" has the style of late 1950s, and could even pass as an early
Motown classic. ("Love Me" and "Because I Love You" could also
pass as early Motown hits.) And again, this style of music is not heard in
this day and age.
"Summertime" is a classic in itself. Not only Stewart's scat vocals
are incredible, the orchestra providing the music truly showcases the best sound
in R&B and Jazz. And what is also interesting, is that this song was originally
written by George Gershwin, with an updated approach.
Continuing in the soulful ballad nature: "How Nice It Is" is another
great, as heard in songs as "I Do Love You." And again, what also makes
this song entertaining, is the orchestra band providing the music. "Every
Day I Have The Blues," recorded in 1966, would shape the mold for the Soul
music that would surface in the 1970s, with an exceptional band in sound, as well.
"Secret Love" was another popular tune, being a remake of the Doris
Day song, with an upbeat Soul approach. And having the 45 rpm single when I
was a child, it's great to hear this song again in clear CD sound.
And on songs such as "Cross My Heart," (1967) the early developments
of Soul music as we would hear in full force in the 1970s was being heard early
in the 1960s from Billy Stewart's music. Even the tunes "Golly Golly Gee,"
(1967, unreleased) and "Tell Me The Truth" (1968) have the "future"
1970s Soul sound. The album's closing tune, "I'm In Love (Oh Yes I Am)"
is another great slow soulful ballad, another song that stands out from this
collection.
Billy Stewart's music is not to be passed up. His music can easily be an
influence to some already in the music business, as well as those in the future.
As mentioned in the liner notes for this compilation: "Billy Stewart would
have dealt with change. By being out there on the road a lot and loving it,
he would have been influenced by the audience. He would have exposed to what
other acts were doing, because he was on variety shows. If someone else was
upstaging his performance, Billy was very aware of it. He always wanted to
know what was going on. And he would have kept up with the times. Especially
in the '80s; he would have loved sitting down with synthesizers and so forth,
doing his own thing." (liner notes by Adam White, © Chess/MCA Records).
Hearing Billy Stewart's music may have been ahead of his time, at the time
when recorded. Soul music would be an upcoming force in the next decade.
We can only imagine what Billy would have done through the course of the 1970s
decade that would feature so many talents in the category of Soul, and how
Billy Stewart would also be a part of it. Listening to his music is truly
enjoyable, and surely to be an influence to many future stars.
© WSVNRadio.net. All rights reserved.
Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
intellectual property of
Chess/MCA Records
and is used for reference purposes only.
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