The story of Ike and Tina Turner is one of the more legendary in music
circles because of the real life circumstances that brought Tina into
the public eye. Tina was abused by her husband Ike, and she broke
free and became a huge success as a solo artist. Because of that success
she became a symbol for abused women worldwide and an inspiration
for female artists in the recording business.
Ike is also a legendary musical figure regardless of his history of
abuse with Tina. Arguably he wouldn't have been looked upon in history
so favorably if it wasn't for his wife Tina. He did make a critical
contribution to music by playing piano on Jackie Brenston's "Rocket
88," which is frequently cited as one of the very first rock 'n' roll
records. He dropped into relative obscurity after Tina left him, proving
the importance of her role to his career.
This boxed set contains four early albums that hadn't been released
previously domestically, and the contents provide verification of
the importance to music that both Ike and Tina had before they parted ways.
"Thinking Black," "Black Beauty," "Ghetto Funk," and "Blacks Alley,"
are all tight instrumentals that show how skillful a musician Ike
was. He played guitar and piano with equal exactitude and professionalism.
On the other side of the coin where the vocals came in, Tina became
one of the first Queen's of rock 'n' roll. Her voice was an instrument.
She had total command and sang with soul and conviction.
On songs like "Cussin' Cryin' and Carryin' On," "I Am A Motherless
Child," and "Please Love Me," Tina's vocals seem like an emotionally
charged cry for help rather than a musical statement. That is the
very quality that made her such a great lead singer; she gave every
bit of what was inside her to each song.
There is no doubt that this is all great music that you will appreciate.
If you are looking for informative and concise liner notes you will
be disappointed. The information provided is adequate however very
carelessly with typographical errors and incorrect grammar usage.
This has been an issue with some of the Comet Records packages; it's
too bad because it really takes away from the exceptional efforts
put into presenting the music. In the end it's the music that makes
all the difference though, as this is an extraordinary offering of
Ike and Tina Turner's legacy.
Disc One
Cussin', Cryin' and Carryin' On
1. Black Angel
2. Getting Nasty
3. A Fool In Love
4. Nothing You Can Do Boy
5. Shake A Tail Feather
6. I'm Fed Up
7. You Got What You Wanted
8. Betcha Cant Kiss Me (Just One Time)
9. Cussin' Cryin' and Carryin' On
10. Aint Nobody's Business
11. Funky Mule
12. Thinking Black
13. Black Beauty
14. Ghetto Funk
15. Blacks Alley
Disc Two
So Fine
1. Betcha Cant Kiss Me (Just One Time)
2. ' T Aint Nobody's Business (What Me And My Man Do)
3. It Sho Ain't Me
4. To Hot To Hold
5. (Am I) A Fool In Love
6. I Better Get To Steppin'
7. Shake A Tail Feather
8. So Fine
9. We Need An Understanding
10. You're So Fine
Bonus Tracks
11. Poor Little Fool
12. So Blue Over You
13. Make 'Em Wait
14. Beauty Is Just Skin Deep
15. I Cant Stop Loving You
16. Tell The Truth (Live)
17. Good Times (Live)
18. You Are My Sunshine (Live)
19. Something's Got A Hold On Me (Live)
Disc Three
Outta Season
1. I've Been Loving You So Long
2. Mean Old World
3. 3 O'Clock In The Morning Blues
4. Five Long Years
5. Dust My Broom
6. Grumbling
7. I Am A Motherless Child
8. Crazy Bout You Baby
9. Reconsider Baby
10. Honest I Do
11. Please Love Me
12. My Babe
13. Rock Me Baby
The Hunter
14. The Hunter
15. You Don't Love Me
16. You Got Me Running
17. Bold Soul Sister
18. I Smell Trouble
19. The Things I Used To Do
20. Early In The Morning
21. You're Still My Baby
22. I Know
