Hi Times: The Hi Records R&B Years [BOX SET]

January 2010 Week 2
Hi Records was a label with personality, thanks in large part to its strongman, Willie Mitchell. Generally pictured as the rambunctious little brother of Stax, Hi actually dates back to 1957, but its heyday coincided with label golden-boy Al Green’s commercial flowering in the ’70s. Hi Times opens with a 1959 track from old Elvis sideman Bill Black and ends with a 1977 recording from Green’s The Belle Album, which pretty much signaled the end of his (or anyone else’s) top-dog-of-soul reign. In between, there’s a neat sampling of Memphis sounds highlighted by the ’70s classics of Ann Peebles, Syl Johnson, O.V. Wright, and Otis Clay. –Steven Stolder

Va-Hi Times
Audio CD (February 21, 1995)
Original Release Date: February 21, 1995
Number of Discs: 3
Format: Box set
Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we’ll refund or replace your purchase.
Label: Capitol

Buy the CD here

TRACK LISTING

Disc 1: Listen to the songs here
1. Smokie, Pt. 2 – Bill Black Combo
2. Crawl – Willie Mitchell
3. Sunrise Serenade – Willie Mitchell
4. Soul in de Hole – Ben Branch
5. What Do You Mean? – Gene Miller
6. 20-75 – Willie Mitchell
7. Buster Browne – Willie Mitchell
8. Love What You’re Doing to Me – Janet & The Jays
9. Don’t Turn Your Back on Me – Don Bryant
10. Everything Is Gonna Be Alright – Don Bryant, Willie Mitchell
11. Doin’ the Mustang – Don Bryant
12. That Driving Beat – Don Bryant, Willie Mitchell
13. Soul Serenade – Willie Mitchell
14. 30-60-90 – Willie Mitchell
15. Teenie’s Dream – Willie Mitchell
16. Robin’s Nest – Willie Mitchell
17. Doin’ the Popcorn – Kim Melvin
18. Move With Me Baby – Big Amos Patton
19. Please Don’t Leave Me – Lucky Carter
20. Stop Arguing over Me – Lucky Carter
21. Walk Away – Ann Peebles
22. Part Time Love – Ann Peebles
23. I’ll Get Along – Ann Peebles
24. I Pity the Fool – Ann Peebles
25. I Want to Hold Your Hand – Al Green
26. Letter – Al Green

Disc 2: Listen to the songs here
1. I Can’t Get Next to You – Al Green
2. Tired of Being Alone – Al Green
3. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
4. Aretha, Sing One for Me – George Jackson
5. Trying to Live My Life Without You – Otis Clay
6. I Didn’t Know the Meaning of Pain – Otis Clay
7. Gimme Some Lovin’ – David Duke, David Duke
8. Hitch-Hiking to Heartbreak – Bobo Mr. Soul
9. Drunk – Ace Cannon
10. I Feel Like Breaking up Somebody’s Home – Ann Peebles
11. I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down – Ann Peebles
12. I’m Still in Love With You – Al Green
13. Simply Beautiful – Al Green
14. Take Me to the River – Syl Johnson
15. Any Way the Wind Blows – Syl Johnson
16. We Did It – Syl Johnson
17. Call Me (Come Back Home) – Al Green
18. You Ought to Be With Me – Al Green
19. Here I Am (Come and Take Me) – Al Green
20. You’ve Got My Mind Messed Up – Quiet Elegance
21. I Can’t Stand the Rain – Ann Peebles
22. Come to Mama – Ann Peebles

Disc 3: Listen to the songs here
1. Looking Straight Ahead – Darryl Carter
2. Your Love Must Be Voodoo (Pts. 1 & 2) – Gene Anderson, Gene Anderson
3. Back for a Taste of Your Love – Syl Johnson
4. Wind, Blow Her Back My Way – Syl Johnson
5. If I Could Reach Out (And Help Somebody) – Otis Clay
6. You Made Me What I Am – Erma Coffee
7. Let’s Get Married – Al Green
8. Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy) – Al Green
9. L-O-V-E (Love) – Al Green
10. Let Yourself Go – Syl Johnson
11. I Want to Take You Home (To See Mama) – Syl Johnson
12. Superstar – Hi Rhythm,
13. Moody – Hi Rhythm, , Al Perkins
14. I Still Love You – Veneice Stark, Veniece Starks
15. Fried Chicken – Rufus Thomas
16. Love and Happiness – Al Green
17. Into Something (Can’t Shake Loose) – O.V. Wright
18. Precious, Precious – O.V. Wright
19. I Don’t Do Windows – O.V. Wright
20. Belle – Al Green