Esther Phillips – Black-Eyed Blues / Capricorn Princess – CD (Soul Brother)

Esther Phillips possessed one of the most distinctive voices in Black music. Her voice had a sassy Jazzy delivery; she sung the Blues and a whole lot of Soul. She began recording as a Rhythm and Blues singer in the 50’s and made some great records in the 60’s for the Atlantic label.

In 1971 she signed for Creed Taylor’s CTi subsidiary Kudu recording seven albums for the label over a five year period. ‘Black-Eyed Blues’ from 1973 was her third for the label and is a overlooked bluesy oriented gem. It featured some top drawer musicians and was arranged and conducted by Pee Wee Ellis, with string arrangements from Bob James. Esther’s vocals are superb throughout the album, you can really feel the emotion in every note she sings, especially on the ballads ‘Too Many Roads’, ‘I’ve only known a stranger’ and ‘I Got it bad and that ain’t good’.  The funkier title track co-written by Joe Cocker really cooks and Esther adds some nice ad-lib vocals towards the end. ‘Triangle in your lifeline’ is added as a bonus track unissued at the time, only having appeared on the 2003 European CD issue of the album.

In 1976 Esther recorded her last album for the label ‘Capricorn Princess’ mainly arranged by David Matthews. Esther had already scored a massive Disco hit with ‘What a difference a day made’ a year earlier and there are a couple of disco oriented tracks on this album, the best of which ‘Boy I Really Tied One On’ has some really amusing lyrics from Janis Ian. Her version of Etta James ‘All The Way Down’ is another highlight a funky track with a dark side which was appropriate to both women as they struggled with Drug addiction throughout their careers.  The ballads ‘I Having Got Anything Better To Do’ and ‘Beautiful Friendship’ reveal the bitter sweetness Soul of Esther’s voice.  – Expansion