Ballads

Import only release on Blue Note. Ballads is culled from three separate albums Lou Rawls recorded for Blue Note between 1989 and 1992. Stylistically and sonically it's utterly consistent, which is a tribute both to Rawls' superior vocals and producer Michael Cuscuna's vision (the small band he recruited for all three albums, including the great pianist Richard Tee, could hardly have been bettered). In any case, Rawls is in top form throughout. His readings of blues ballads associated with Big Joe Turner ('Chains of Love'), Etta James ('At Last'), Dinah Washington ('This Bitter Earth'), and his old friend Jesse Belvin ('Good Night My Love') are to all intents definitive. EMI.