evansec's Full Review: Greatest Hits (Soul City) by Johnny Rivers (Pop)
My appreciation for the beloved Mr. Johnny Rivers began as a complete joke between my mother and me.
Because, you see, if you listen to my mother's favorite radio station (Cool 95 - Good times and great oldies) whene'er you are in the greater Arkansas area, chances are, you'll hear a Johnny Rivers song at least once an hour. Mom and I would drive, hear Mr. Rivers, and think, "Yep. What do they have, some special deal or something?"
Yes, he's a quite popular fellow when it comes to the world of oldies. The sad part? No one knows it. So, here's to you, Johnnyboy. I'll do my best to spread your lovins around the world (or at least amongst the Epinions community.)
First of all, the songs everyone knows.
Secret Agent Man (Track 6): They're givin' you a numbah, and takin' away your name. Yes, Johnny's most famous hit. A tribute of sorts to those luscious James Bond movies of yore, the tune is filled with blues-esque riffs, fast-paced drum beats, clapping (common in quite a few of Johnny's hits), and a sample riff from the James Bond Theme. Oooh!
Memphis (Track 1): Long distance information, get me Memphis, Tennessee... yep, that one. Perhaps Mr. River's second most famous hit, Memphis is a funky, swingin', guitar-filled song about Mr. Rivers' search for his long-lost daughter. Again, consumed with clappin', hootin' and hollerin', as well as an excellent bass and a sweet, twangy guitar sound. And Johnny's oh-so-dreamy voice.
Swayin' To The Music (Slow Dancin') (Track 3): Slow dancin', swayin' to the music; no one else in the whole wide woooooorld. Wow. Now, I had no idea Mr. Rivers sang this one until I purchased this album a couple of weeks ago. This one, now famous on radio stations of the "lite rock" genre, was Johnny's final hit, released in 1979. Quite different from his blues-rock songs of the early- to mid-60's, this one is a bit slower, a bit more romantic, and a bit more suited for its time.
And now, the notable songs you probably know already.
Midnight Special (Track 4): Uh-let the midnight special...shine its evah-lovin' light on me. This is the only hit actually written by Johnny Rivers, later made infamous by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Personally, I think this one is the best version. Again, equipped with the famous background supplied by the Johnny Rivers Clappers<tm>, Guitar playin' comparable to that of Chuck Berry, and Mr. Rivers' sexy, bluesy vocals, this is a favorite for parties and day trips alike.
Poor Side of Town (Track 7): With you by my side, this world can't keep us down; together we can make it, baby, from the po' side of town. One of my personal favorites, this tune is from Johnny's late-60's power ballad phase. This time, the party clappin' has been replaced with beautiful female background vocals, and the bluesy riffs and strong drum beats have been replaced with strings, light percussion and a flute. A pop favorite that defines the feel-good 60's in so many ways. (Note: this one is also armed with "Doo wahhs" and "shoobeee doobeees." Amazing.)
Summer Rain (Track 10): All summer long, we spent dancin' in the sand/And the jukebox kept on playin' Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band... My personal favorite of all Johnny Rivers songs, this one was from his critically acclaimed "transitional" album, Realization. Missing background vocals, this is simply Johnny, singing in his deepest, most luscious voice, with background music including brass instruments, jazzy drums, flamenco guitar, and a hint of rainstorm-like sound effects. A very sweet song, one that defines Johnny's transitional abilities.
Other notable songs on this collection include "Mountain of Love," "Seventh Son," Rivers' famous covers of "Baby, I Need Your Lovin'" and "Tracks of My Tears," and the ultimate blues-rock hit, "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu."
No true fan of oldies can go without having some appreciation for the oh-so-dreamy Johnny Rivers and the hordes of music he brought to the world for many generations. Buy this collection, put it in your car CD player, and just have a good drive for a while. You won't regret it.
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