BILL MEDLEY - BILL MEDLEY 100% / SOFT AND SOULFUL

Bill Medley has released seven solo albums to date for several different labels over the course of his career. His first two efforts were issued following the break-up of the Righteous Brothers. Real Gone Music has now reissued these two albums recorded for the MGM label, combining Bill Medley 100% (1968) and Soft And Soulful (1969) onto one disc. Here you can enjoy one of the great bass voices in all of popular music, that of one-time Righteous Brother Bill Medley, who had just split from Bobby Hatfield when he recorded these two solo albums for MGM in 1968 and 1969, respectively. Fans who swoon over the Righteous Brothers’ blue-eyed soul sound will find a lot to like here, as these two records feature the same blend of pop and R&B styles that graced their classic sides, all backed by the kind of production value you’d expect from a guy who learned some studio chops from Phil Spector (and had some of his own, as Medley himself produced some of the Righteous Brothers’ biggest hits). Neither of these albums have ever been on CD, and appear here on a single CD inside a snazzy four-panel, full-bleed wallet with liner notes and photos.

The Righteous Brothers always had a soulful quality to their music and on Bill Medley 100% he is on solid ground with the Goffin-King composition, “I Can Make It Alone,” and “Brown Eyed Woman,” written by the songwriting team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, was a moderate hit single; Medley presented his bass voice well on the building ballad. He also gave a credible performance on the old Little Anthony hit, “Goin’ Out Of My Head.” Soft And Soulful was an overall more satisfying album as he stuck close to his soulful roots. “Peace Brother Peace” had a gospel feel with lyrics that fit the peace movement of the late 1960s well. Other cover songs songs include “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” (The Casinos), “For Your Precious Love” (Jerry Butler & The Impressions), “Any Day Now” (Chuck Jackson), and “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby” (Sam & Dave) all came to life through his soulful vocals.