Brand New Day: Lenox / Atlantic & Roulette Recordings 1962-1970 (CD)

Five CD set. The late Esther Phillips has often been considered one of the 'unsung' pioneers in the world of R&B, stretching back to the early '50s when as a child star working with famed bandleader Johnny Otis, she enjoyed a run of chart-topping singles at the age of 15, making her the youngest female artist to ever have an #1 R&B hit at the time. The Texas-born vocalist returned in 1962 with a soulful version of the country hit, 'Release Me' for Lenox Records, subsequently signing with Atlantic Records for whom she recorded a total of four full albums between 1964-1970 with a brief spell at Roulette Records in 1969. Produced by SoulMusic Records founder David Nathan, Brand New Day - The Lenox/Atlantic & Roulette Recordings is a sumptuous first-of-it's-kind box set, consisting of (102) tracks of Esther's work in a variety of different musical settings, sequenced by session and containing a number of previously unreleased cuts as well as non-album singles making their CD debut. An 8,000-word informative and extensive essay by renowned UK writer Charles Waring, alongside superb mastering by Nick Robbins and first class artwork by Roger Williams make this box set an overdue celebration of Esther Phillips' glorious artistry, in particular as a commemoration of her passing in August, 1984 at the age of 48.

Track List

1. I Can't Help It
2. Am I That Easy To Forget
3. Be Honest With Me
4. I Really Don't Want To Know
5. I've Forgotten More Than You'll Ever Know About Him
6. Just Out Of Reach
7. No Headstone On My Grave
8. Why Should We Try Anymore
9. After Loving You
10. I'd Fight The World
11. Release Me
12. A Lover's Hymn
13. Don't Feel Rained On
14. God Bless The Child
15. Half A Heart
16. Why Was I Born
17. Don't Let Me Go
18. While It Lasted
19. You Never Miss Your Water (Till The Well Runs Dry) - With Big Al Downing
20. If You Want It (I've Got It) With Big Al Downing
21. Hello Walls
22. Mojo Hannah
23. I Saw Me
24. Double Crossin' Blues - With Jimmy Ricks
25. If You Love Me Really Love Me
26. Make Believe Dreams
27. Too Soon To Know
28. You're The Reason I'm Living
29. Out Of The Blue
30. Makin' Whoopee
31. Shangri-La
32. I Wish You Love
33. ‘Tis Autumn
34. People
35. The Girl From Ipanema
36. Medley: Moonglow / A Theme From Picnic
37. And I Love Him
38. Some Things You Never Get Used To
39. Let Me Know When It's Over
40. I Could Have Told You
41. He Touched Me
42. You Can't Go Home Again
43. The Shadow Of Your Smile
44. The Party's Over
45. A Taste Of Honey
46. It's All Right With Me
47. Just Say Goodbye
48. As Tears Go By
49. Ups And Downs
50. Every Time We Say Goodbye
51. Let There Be Love
52. Crazy He Calls Me
53. When A Woman Loves A Man
54. Somebody Else Is Taking My Place
55. Fever
56. Try Me
57. When Love Comes To The Human Race
58. C.C. Rider
59. Cherry Red
60. Confessin' The Blues
61. I'm Gettin' 'Long Alright
62. Rocks In My Bed (Previously Unreleased)
63. In The Evening
64. Romance In The Dark
65. I Wonder
66. Cheater Man
67. I'm Sorry
68. Watch Dog (Previously Unreleased)
69. Too Late To Worry Too Blue To Cry
70. I'm In The Mood For Love (Moody's Mood For Love)
71. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You
72. Sweet Dreams
73. Too Much Of A Man (To Be Tied Down)
74. Nobody But You
75. Don't Let Me Lose This Dream (Live)
76. And I Love Him (Live)
77. I Love Paris (Live)
78. Cry Me A River Blues (Live)
79. I'm Gettin' 'Long Alright (Live)
80. Release Me (Live)
81. If It's The Last Thing I Do (Live)
82. Makin' Whoopee (Live)
83. Shangri-La (Live)
84. Please Send Me Someone To Love (Live)
85. Just In Time (Live) (Previously Unreleased)
86. Bye Bye Blackbird (Live Outtake) (Previously Unreleased)
87. Fancy (Live) (Previously Unreleased)
88. Bad News Blues Aka Medley: Blow Top Blues/Jelly Jelly Blues/Long John Blues (Live Outtake) (Previously Unreleased)
89. Don't Let Me Lose This Dream (Live Outtake) (Previously Unreleased)
90. Feel Like I Want To Cry Aka Feel Like I Wanna Cry (Live) (Previously Unreleased)
91. Please Send Me Someone To Love (Live Outtake) (Previously Unreleased)
92. It Could Happen To You Aka Look What Happened To Me (Live)
93. A Woman Will Do Wrong
94. Catch Me I'm Falling
95. Some Cats Know
96. Set Me Free
97. Brand New Day
98. I'm In Love
99. Just Like A Fish
100. Tomorrow Night
101. All God Has Is Us
102. He Knows What To Do For Me
103. Crazy Love