Don Covay Mercy See-Saw (soul)(mp3@320)[rogercc]

Don Covay Mercy!/See-Saw
Label: Koch
Released : 2000
Format : [email protected]



In 2000, Koch reissued Don Covay's two classic mid-'60s albums, Mercy and See-Saw, on one tremendous CD. The term "classic" is thrown around haphazardly in pop music, but these are two sublime records that earn the term, even if they're not as roundly celebrated as platters from Otis Redding or even cult favorite James Carr. Though he racked up a number of singles on the R&B charts, he never had a huge crossover hit, but his music stands as some of the most effervescent, infectious soul of the '60s (not to mention that his vocal style was a clear inspiration to Mick Jagger). What makes his music so remarkable is how it's earthy Southern soul, kicking really hard in its rhythms and with plenty of growl in Covay's voice, but is as nimble, tuneful, and sunny as the sounds coming out of Chicago and Detroit during the mid-'60s. Perhaps that's why he never quite got a huge single -- he straddled the two popular sounds without fully being part of either. It may have not resulted in big singles, but it resulted in splendid music. If there's not much difference stylistically between Mercy and See-Saw -- they're both pretty much cut from the same cloth -- there's also little difference in quality. It's all tremendous, enjoyable, sweet Southern soul.


Label : Atlantic
Original Released : 1964

01. Mercy, Mercy - 02:26
02. I'll Be Satisfied - 03:17
03. Come On In - 02:19
04. Can't Stay Away - 02:51
05. Can't Fight It Baby - 02:51
06. You're Good For Me - 03:30
07. Take This Hurt Off Me - 02:31
08. Daddy Loves Baby - 02:22
09. Come See About Me - 03:24
10. You Must Believe In Me - 02:37
11. Please Don't Let Me Know - 02:26
12. Just Because - 03:26


Label : Atlantic
Original Released : 1966

13. See-Saw - 03:00
14. The Boomerang - 02:03
15. Everything Gonna Be Everything - 02:33
16. Fat Man - 02:35
17. Preciouse You - 02:43
18. Iron Out The Rough Spots - 02:56
19. Please Do Something - 02:51
20. I Never Get Enough Of Your Love - 02:46
21. The Usual Place - 02:08
22. A Woman's Love - 02:37
23. Sookie Sookie - 02:45

[b]Personnel: [/b]The Goodtimers (vocals); Steve Cropper, Billy Butler, Bob Bushnell (guitar); Andrew Love (tenor saxophone); Floyd Newman (baritone saxophone); Dicky Harris (trombone); Booker T. Jones (piano, organ); Horace Ott (piano); Donald "Duck" Dunn (electric bass); Al Jackson, Jr. , Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (drums); Don Covay (vocals).