Walking the Dog

One of the artists who defined Memphis soul and put on the map, is known for liking his R&B hard-edged, gritty, and earthy. That approach served him impressively well on his debut album . In contrast to the sleeker, more elaborate production style favored by the Northern soulsters of , rejects pop elements altogether and thrives on rawness on his hits "Walking the Dog" and "The Dog," as well as inspired versions of "Land of 1000 Dances" (which became a major hit for ), 's "Ya Ya," and 's "Boom Boom." was in his mid-forties when these fun, infectious recordings were made, and he definitely lives up to his title "The World's Oldest Teenager" (a title later given to as well). Reissued on CD in the early 1990s, is an album Memphis soul aficionados shouldn't overlook. ~ Alex Henderson