Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett was a pioneering American soul singer known as "Wicked Pickett" for his explosive, gospel-infused vocals that shaped 1960s R&B. Born March 18, 1941, in Prattville, Alabama, he grew up amid Southern black church traditions before migrating to Detroit as a teen.
Pickett started in gospel with groups like the Violinaires, debuting professionally in the late 1950s. He joined the Falcons from 1961-1963, co-writing and singing their hit "I Found a Love." Going solo, he signed with Double L Records for tracks like "If You Love Me."
Signing with Atlantic Records in 1964, Pickett exploded with "In the Midnight Hour," recorded at Stax with Steve Cropper. Follow-up smashes included "Land of 1,000 Dances," "Mustang Sally," and "Funky Broadway," blending gospel fervor with R&B grooves at Fame Studios. Over 50 songs charted on US R&B lists, crossing to pop success.
By the 1970s, hits waned amid legal troubles like a 1992 drunk driving case. He earned Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1991 and released a Grammy-nominated comeback album, It's Harder Now. Pickett died January 19, 2006, of a heart attack in Reston, Virginia, at age 64.
Hey Jude
Written-By – Dan Greer, George Jackson
2:35
A2 Hey Jude
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
4:00
A3 Back In Your Arms
Written-By – Jackson, Chambers, Leakes, Moore
2:53
A4 Toe Hold
Written-By – David Porter, Isaac Hayes
2:46
A5 Night Owl
Written-By – Don Covay
2:20
A6 My Own Style Of Loving
Written-By – Jackson, Leakes, Moore
2:38
B1 A Man And A Half
Written-By – Jackson, Chambers, Leakes, Moore
2:48
B2 Sit Down And Talk This Over
Written-By – Bobby Womack, Wilson Pickett
2:19
B3 Search Your Heart
Written-By – George Jackson, Raymond Moore
2:40
B4 Born To Be Wild
Written-By – Mars Bonfire
2:44
B5 People Make The World
Written-By – Bobby Womack
2:45
Label: Atlantic – SD 8215
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Sixties Soul, Southern Soul
Wilson Pickett's Hey Jude (1969) is a highly acclaimed soul/funk album praised for its electrifying Southern soul, powerful vocals, and especially for the iconic, fiery cover of The Beatles' "Hey Jude", featuring Duane Allman's legendary guitar work, making it an essential listen alongside other killer tracks like "Toe Hold" and "Born to Be Wild". Critics hail it as a masterpiece of soul, showcasing Pickett's vocal prowess and introducing Allman to broader audiences, despite some pressings facing technical issues.
The Title Track: Pickett transforms the Beatles' ballad into a scorching, soulful epic, with Duane Allman delivering one of his most famous guitar solos, making it a standout remake.
Southern Soul at its Peak: The album is packed with uptempo funk and deep soul, moving beyond the iconic title track to offer consistent, high-energy tracks. Reviewers call it an "essential purchase" and one of Pickett's best, a "killer album" with "all killer no filler". It's considered a career-defining moment for both Pickett and Allman, blending R&B, soul, and rock.
While generally praised, some critics argue that Pickett’s "unyielding" vocal attack can occasionally lack the nuanced emotional range found in contemporaries like Otis Redding.
In Summary, Hey Jude is a landmark album, celebrated for its incredible musicality, especially the phenomenal fusion of Pickett's raw soul and Allman's fiery guitar on the title track, making it a must-have for soul and funk fans.
The album maintains strong ratings across platforms, typically averaging 4.0 to 4.5 out of 5 stars on sites like Discogs. You can purchase the album on major platforms like Amazon or find vintage pressings through Discogs.
I’m In Love
Written-By – Bobby Womack, King Curtis
2:47
A2 Stagger Lee
Written-By – Harold Logan, Lloyd Price
2:19
A3 That Kind Of Love
Written-By – Don Covay
2:09
A4 I'm In Love
Written-By – Bobby Womack
2:30
A5 Hello Sunshine
Written-By – Curtis, Miller
2:31
B1 Don't Cry No More
Written-By – Deadric Malone
2:14
B2 We've Got To Have Love
Written-By – Bobby Womack, Wilson Pickett
2:05
B3 Bring It On Home To Me
Written-By – Sam Cooke
3:05
B4 She's Looking Good
Written-By – Roger Collins
2:21
B5 I've Come A Long Way
Written-By – Bobby Womack
3:10
Label: Atlantic – SD 8175
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1968
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
I'm In Love (1967) is a standout, high-energy Southern soul album featuring Wilson Pickett at his vocal peak, heavily influenced by collaborations with songwriter/guitarist Bobby Womack and saxophonist King Curtis. The 25-minute album blends gospel-influenced, upbeat tracks with deep, moody ballads and strong, tight performances.
The album is noted for its "rough-and-ready" soul shouting,, with intense vocals over polished Memphis-style backing.
Notable Tracks:-
"I'm In Love": A smooth, sweet ballad written by Bobby Womack that remains one of Pickett’s most beloved hits.
"Stagger Lee": A properly intense, high-energy "rip" through the classic tune.
"Jealous Love": Described as a brooding, haunting opener with a "spooky groove" and dark undertones.
"Bring It On Home to Me": A mesmerizing, bluesy homage to Sam Cooke that showcases Pickett's soulful depth.
"She's Lookin' Good": A ferocious, high-octane cover that became a staple of his live performances. .
Bobby Womack's influence is significant, particularly in the songwriting, contributing to a "deep" and "haunting" feel on several tracks.
While short, it is considered a essential 1960s soul record with little to no filler, showcasing a mix of raw emotion and high-quality studio production.
It is often described as a, passionate, and energetic record that showcases Pickett’s ability to handle both frantic up-tempo numbers and emotional ballads with equal skill.
It’s Too Late
A2 I'm Gonna Love You (R. Bateman 2:10)
A3 Baby Don't You Weep (F. Bridges, H. Smith 2:09)
A4 Peacebreaker (W. Pickett 2:37)
A5 I'm Down To My Last Heartbreak (D. Irwin, J. Willingham 2:49)
A6 R.B. Special (R. Bateman 2:26)
B1 I Can't Stop (W. Schofield 2:32)
B2 It'll Never Be The Same (Wallace 2:35)
B3 Baby Call On Me (D. Mancha 2:25)
B4 Give Your Lovin' Right Now (W. Witherspoon 2:25)
B5 It's Too Late (W. Pickett 3:03)
Label: Double-L Records – DL-2300
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1963
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
It's Too Late is the debut solo album by American soul singer Wilson Pickett, released in 1963 on the Double L Records label. The album is a notable representation of Pickett's early work, showcasing his raw talent and powerful, gospel-influenced vocals before he achieved massive success with later hits like "In the Midnight Hour".
The album primarily features a mix of R&B and soul. The production is relatively simple and straightforward, with producers experimenting with different sounds, including a Motown feel on some tracks and a James Brown-like groove on the title track.
Pickett's emotive and powerful vocal delivery is the standout element, which foreshadowed his significant influence on countless artists in the soul and R&B genres.
It's Too Late captures Pickett's transition from the R&B group the Falcons to a solo career. While not as commercially successful as his later Atlantic Records releases, it is an influential album for fans and collectors of early soul music and paved the way for his future success.
The album opens with the smoldering ballad "If You Need Me", which became a moderate hit for Pickett and was also famously covered by Solomon Burke and the Rolling Stones. The title track, "It's Too Late," also became a significant R&B hit.
t's Too Late is seen as a testament to Pickett's early potential and a key album for fans of early R&B and soul. It helped pave the way for his subsequent signing with Atlantic Records and his rise to fame.
DOWNLOAD IN MP3, FLAC AND MORE HERE
Miz Lena’s Boy
Written-By – Shapiro, Pickett 2:52
A2 Memphis, Tennessee
Written-By – Berry 3:50
A3 Soft Soul Boogie Woogie
Written-By – Goodman, Seals, Jennings 2:37
A4 Help Me Make It Through The Night
Written-By – Kristofferson 3:00
A5 Never My Love
Written-By – D. Addrisi, D. Addrisi 4:26
B1 You Lay'd It On Me
Written-By – Shapiro, Covay, Pickett 3:16
B2 Is Your Love Life Better
Written-By – Raleigh, Fox 3:15
B3 Two Women And A Wife
Written-By – Shapiro, Pickett 2:45
B4 Why Don't You Make Up Your Mind
Written-By – Shapiro, Pickett 2:45
B5 Take The Pollution Out Your Throat
Written-By – Shapiro, Pickett 2:45
Label: RCA Victor – APL1-0312
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Soul
Style:
Seventies Soul, Funk
Wilson Pickett's Miz Lena's Boy is a funky, gritty RCA album showcasing his return to raw soul, featuring hard-hitting tracks like "Iron It Out" and bluesy ballads like "I Was Too Nice," alongside interesting covers (a jazzy "Memphis, Tennessee") and passionate performances, solidifying his powerful, consistent delivery even in his 70s era.
It's considered one of his funkiest 70s albums, digging back into his powerful, raw soul style. Tracks like the brass-driven "Iron It Out" and the bassline-heavy "Take a Closer Look at the Woman You're With" highlight his energetic funk.
Pickett delivers deeply emotional blues ballads, with "I Was Too Nice" being a standout, featuring horns and organ, reminiscent of his earlier hits.
Co-arranged and co-produced by Brad Shapiro and Pickett in Nashville, the album has a raw, funky sound that one source vividly describes as everything Pickett sings sounding like it was "soaked in grits and bacon fat"
The album includes covers such as an edgy take on The Association's "Never My Love," a bizarre jazz-fusion "Memphis, Tennessee," and a fiery "Help Me Make It Through the Night".
Like many of his later works, it features strong musicianship, likely with Muscle Shoals session players, keeping pace with Pickett's intense delivery.
While maybe more a collection of great tunes than a concept album, it's praised for Pickett's usual high level of skill and passion.
Overall: Miz Lena's Boy is a strong entry in Pickett's discography, capturing his signature gruff voice and soulful power with plenty of funk and blues, making it a rewarding listen for fans.
The Sound Of Wilson Pickett
Written-By – Jerry Wexler, Wilson Pickett
2:38
A2 Funky Broadway
Written-By – Lester Christian
3:33
A3 I Need A Lot Of Loving Every Day
Written-By – Dan Penn, Lindon Oldham
2:20
A4 I Found A Love, Part I
Written-By – Robert West, W. Schofield, Wilson Pickett
2:30
A5 I Found A Love, Part II
Written-By – Robert West, W. Schofield, Wilson Pickett
2:59
A6 You Can't Stand Alone
Written-By – Rudy Clark
2:47
B1 Mojo Mamma
Written-By – Bert Berns, Jerry Wexler
1:59
B2 I Found The One
Written-By – Bobby Womack
2:30
B3 Something Within Me
Written-By – Bobby Womack
3:40
B4 I'm Sorry About That
Written-By – Bobby Womack
3:03
B5 Love Is A Beautiful Thing
Written-By – Eddie Brigati, Felix Cavaliere
2:12
Label: Atlantic – SD 8145
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1967
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
The Sound of Wilson Pickett, released in 1967 by Atlantic Records, is widely regarded as a "gritty soul masterpiece" that captures the artist at the peak of his vocal power.
Reviewers frequently highlight Pickett’s "rough-and-ready" soul shouting and aggressive, breathless delivery that managed to stay highly musical even during his strongest outbursts. He is often cited for eliminating "Uncle-Tom warmth" in soul music in favor of a harder, rocking sound.
Co-produced by Jerry Wexler and Rick Hall at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, the album features a legendary roster of session musicians, including Roger Hawkins (drums), Spooner Oldham (organ/piano), and Tommy Cogbill (bass/guitar).
Modern retrospectives praise the album for its lack of "weak syrupy tracks," maintaining a high quality throughout that has not aged since its release.
Key Tracks:-
"Funky Broadway": A smash hit originally by Arlester Christian, Pickett's version is a cornerstone of early funk.
"I Found a Love (Parts 1 & 2)": A re-recording of his earlier work with The Falcons, noted for its "grittiest wailing ever committed to vinyl".
"Soul Dance Number Three": A signature high-energy track co-written by Pickett and Wexler.
"Mojo Mamma": Described as a thumping track with "ominous horns" and a relentless groove.
Several reviewers note that while this album lacks the massive crossover singles of his earlier works (like "Mustang Sally"), it is a more "consistent and satisfying" front-to-back listening experience without "weak syrupy tracks".
Wilson Pickett Sings Bobby Womack
2 –Wilson Pickett I'm Sorry About That
3 –Wilson Pickett I'm In Love
4 –Wilson Pickett Nothing You Can Do
5 –Wilson Pickett I Found The One
6 –Wilson Pickett Jealous Love
7 –Wilson Pickett She's So Good To Me
8 –Wilson Pickett I'm A Midnight Mover
9 –Wilson Pickett Something Within Me
10 –Wilson Pickett It's A Groove
11 –Wilson Pickett Let's Get An Understanding
12 –Wilson Pickett People Make The World (What It Is)
13 –Wilson Pickett We've Got To Have Love
14 –Wilson Pickett Trust Me
15 –Wilson Pickett Remember, I Been Good To You
16 –Wilson Pickett Sit Down And Talk This Over
17 –Wilson Pickett I've Come A Long Way
18 –Wilson Pickett Bring It On Home To Me
19 –Bobby Womack Find Me Somebody
20 –Bobby Womack How Does It Feel
Label: Kent Soul – CDTOP 467
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: UK
Released: 2017
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Southern Soul
Wilson Pickett Sings Bobby Womack (released by Kent Records/Ace Records) is a highly acclaimed compilation gathering 17 tracks from 1966–1968, highlighting the fruitful collaboration between the "Wicked" soul singer and songwriter/guitarist Bobby Womack. Recorded at Fame in Muscle Shoals and American in Memphis, it features gritty, energetic southern soul with Womack often playing guitar.
Critics and fans consider this a "lost album" that acts as a definitive compilation of their work, including hits and deeper cuts.
The tracks are characterized by Pickett’s raw, energetic vocal style and powerful, gospel-inflected shouting, matched with tight, horn-heavy backing from session musicians.
The CD release often includes extras like Pickett’s version of "Bring It On Home to Me" and rare B-sides, making it a comprehensive, well-annotated set.
The compilation underlines how Womack's songwriting provided the backbone for Pickett's late-60s success, showcasing a perfect match of singer and songwriter.
The album is considered essential for soul enthusiasts, capturing a peak era in Southern soul music.