This is an anthology of hits by soul singer Al Wilson.
Although he scored hits in the mid-'70s with "Show and Tell" and "La La Peace Song," it always seems that there should have been more success due Al Wilson, whose smooth, soulful voice made most songs go down easy. In the end, it was a matter of just not getting the right material, as this sampler of his three Rocky Road albums (1973's Weighing In and Show and Tell and 1974's La La Peace Song) makes clear. Aside from the two hits and an interesting reimagining of John Fogerty's "Born on the Bayou," there just isn't much to write home about here, although Wilson's singing is always arresting, even if the songs seem to unravel almost before they can get off the ground. Wilson's earlier 1960s material for Johnny Rivers' Soul City imprint has more life to it, but there isn't a collection on the market that combines both eras, which is a shame, since the two phases actually balance nicely. ~ Steve Leggett
