Bobby Bland

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Urban Blues bordering on Soul, with some of The Crusaders in the band. "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" is one of my favorite songs ever, and it justifies by itself the high place this album occupies in my heart. Bland's raspy voice gives deepness to the smooth songs and arrangements (which probably will be a put-off to most Blues fans ...).

The opening, first 3 songs is 5 stars

Back in 1987 I bought Paul Gambaccini's book 'The 100 Greatest Albums' One of the first 'greatest' list books. This album came in about number 60. It shows just how far this album has fallen from grace that at the time of this review it languishes at 412 for 1974.

The reason? Well musically it's just about as unfashionable as it's possible to be in these days of musical eclecticsm - big band soul blues. But man is it good. Fantastic songs, beautifully played, beautifully arranged, and all topped off with the just about the most soulful baritone voice in the history of popular music.

Deserves rediscovery.

If you think the suit he's wearing on the cover is outrageous get the vinyl gatefold. It's one of the most fantastic record covers of all time.
In the late 'eighties I picked up a 100 best album book that listed this album in amidst the Sticky Fingers and Hunky Dorys of the world.  Hmmm.  Recognized it in a record store, bought the scratched vinyl.  Listened to it a lot.  Bought some of his other records, found a less-scratched vinyl copy of this one.  This is the record where your cool uncle has one scotch too many and let's it all hang out.  There are lessons to be learned here and Bland sells them as gospel truth.
His second excellent West Coast album.