Goldwax Years, The [Remastered] - Spencer Wiggins > Reviews > This is Spencer Wiggins, that was...

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	A brilliant lost gem of a talent .  Respect to the man !
Disadvantages:	This is almost his entire recorded work !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Spencer Wiggins, in common with many of his contemporaries such as Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Same Cooke and many others, first found his voice in the gospel music of his church, as a young boy. The liner notes for this compilation gives his story in much more detail, but by various routes, such as singing in gospel groups, then as a solo singer, he found himself as a professional singer doing revues with other artists and touring the US on the same bill as other, rather better known artists. After a couple of singles he found himself signed to the small Memphis-based Goldwax label. The same label that also provide home to the legendary James Carr and the Ovations, amongst others.

Now, some people are Motown buffs and some swear by Stax (the other Memphis based) label. But Goldwax wasn't even in that league, being so shoe-string bound that they didn't even have their own studio, Nevertheless, young Spencer Wiggins signed with them and proceeded to produce several singles for them, between 1965 and 68. Ths excellent compilation collects together all of these singles and their relevant b-sides, along with a few tracks he cut after leaving Goldwax and few alternative/remixes/extended takes, 22 tracks in total.

It's always hard to describe an artist or a records style in words, but Wiggins own vocal style is more in a powerful Solomon Burke style, rather than the sweeter Sam Cooke vein. Fiery, emotive and energetic, sometimes given to hair raising soul yells that are up there with the James Browns of this world, he will command your attention

In terms of music, we get a wide range of styles, mostly well-produced and remastered on this edition. As I said, Wiggins started off singing gospel and unsuprisingly, this is evident in some songs, such as 'Once In A While' and 'The Kind Of Woman Who's Got No Heart'. Other material, (mainly the later stuff) tends towards a bluesier vein ('That's How Much I Love You' and 'Lover's Crime'). And some tracks even have a vague country edge to them! My one favourite standout track? It has to be 'Who's Been Warming My Oven', a salacious yet bluesy tale of mutual infidelity, told entirely in terms of food & cooking! Yet another example of how sex and and religion have never been too far apart in Africa-American culture, something you can still hear today in the works of someone like Prince.

It's all there, just top notch quality soul, of a type that is rarely made these days.There is a whole slew of stuff here that will keep soul affcianados happy for ages. I got my copy about 5 days ago and I've been playing it death ever since

The cover features a photo of a young Spencer, looking laid back and confident, very sure of his God-given abilty. The liner notes, as always with Kent reissues, are meticulous written, by Ady Croasdell. All in all, a good, must-have compilation from the ever excellent UK-based Kent reissue, label for a budget price (mine was approx £7.50 from a US supplier).

What of Spencer Wiggins himself? In the early 70's, he quit full time singing to get a 'proper' job and to return to God's work in the church. In 2002 he made an album in a more modern r & b style but that received only local distrubution in his home state.

Anyway, buy this compilation and give yourself a real soul treat.

Track Listing:

1. Anything You Do Is All Right
2. He's Too Old
3. I Never Loved A Woman (The Way I Love You)
4. I'll Be True To You Baby
5. I'm A Poor Man's Son
6. Walking Out On You
7. Lonely Man
8. Lover's Crime
9. My Love Is Real
10. Old Friend (You Ask If I Miss Her)
11. Once In A While (Is Better Than Never)
12. Soul City U.S.A.
13. Sweet Sixteen
14. Take Me Just As I Am
15. That's How Much I Love You
16. The Kind Of Woman That's Got No Heart
17. The Power Of A Woman
18. Up Tight Good Woman
19. What Do You Think About My Baby
20. Who's Been Warming My Oven
21. I Never Loved A Woman (The Way I Love You) (Alt)
22. I'm A Poor Man's Son (Remix)
23. That's How Much I Love You (Remix)