Billy Preston
Billy Preston was a renowned American soul musician, singer, and keyboardist celebrated for his extraordinary organ and piano skills. Born on September 9, 1946, in Houston, Texas, he rose to fame as a child prodigy and became a key collaborator with icons like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Ray Charles.
Preston began performing gospel music as a toddler in Los Angeles, where his family relocated. By age 10, he appeared in films like St. Louis Blues and played organ at local churches, later touring with Mahalia Jackson.
In the 1960s, Preston recorded early albums like 16 Yr. Old Soul (1963) and joined Little Richard's band, meeting the Beatles in 1962. George Harrison invited him to contribute to their Get Back sessions in 1969, earning him billing on the single as the "fifth Beatle".
Preston achieved major hits in the late sixties and 1970s, including "That's the Way God Planned It" (1969), reaching #11 on the UK Pop charts, and "Outa-Space" (1971), "Will It Go Round in Circles" (1973), "Space Race" (1973), and "Nothing from Nothing" (1974), all topping R&B charts. He released over 20 albums, blending soul, funk, and gospel, with standout records like I Wrote a Simple Song (1971) and The Kids & Me (1974).
He toured with the Rolling Stones in the 1970s, contributed to Exile on Main St., and recorded gospel albums in the 1980s. Preston passed away on June 6, 2006, from complications of kidney failure, leaving a lasting influence on rock, soul, and pop.
A Whole New Thing
Written-By – Jeffrey Bowen, James Ford, Truman Thomas
3:35
A2 Disco Dancin'
Written-By – Billy Preston
3:30
A3 Complicated Sayings
Written-By – Robert "Inky" Incorvaia
2:54
A4 Attitudes (Instrumental)
Written-By – Billy Preston
2:29
A5 I'm Really Gonna Miss You
Written-By – Billy Preston
3:48
B1 Wide Stride (Instrumental)
Written-By – Billy Preston
3:15
B2 You Got Me Buzzin'
Written-By – Robert "Inky" Incorvaia
2:42
B3 Sweet Marie
Written-By – Billy Preston, Joe Green
3:40
B4 Happy (Instrumental)
Written-By – Billy Preston, Jack Ackerman
2:20
B5 Touch Me Love
Written-By – Billy Preston, Jack Ackerman
3:22
B6 You Don't Have To Go
Written-By – Billy Preston, Joe Green
3:00
Label: A&M Records – SP 4656
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Soul
A Whole New Thing (1977), Billy Preston's final album for A&M Records, is reviewed as an excellent, yet underappreciated, funk/soul record that features his signature organ and keyboard mastery. The album's strength lies in its blend of gospel-infused funk and New Orleans R&B, although some critics note a lack of a single cohesive direction.
The album is praised for its "good dose of gospel" in its funk music, drawing comparisons to artists like Sly Stone and the Isley Brothers. Reviewers highlight how the funkiness is where the album truly shines.
The album is particularly noted for its instrumental tracks, which are considered "worth checking out" by rare groove and crate digger fans. The instrumental "Wide Stride" is a standout track, recognized as one of Preston's first songs to prominently feature a modern polyphonic synthesizer.
Some critics suggest the album was a missed opportunity, feeling it was perhaps rushed and that Preston cast his creative net too wide by shoehorning too many ideas into one release. However, it is generally regarded as "good music" where Preston demonstrates his ability to sing and play with the best musicians.
Despite its quality, the album was not a major commercial hit upon release. Reviewers speculate this may be because Preston's "squeaky clean" music lacked the "nastiness" that was essential to the mainstream funk scene of the late 70s, which favored bigger personalities and fantasies.
User ratings on platforms like Discogs give the album an average rating of 3.74 out of 5, indicating a generally positive reception among fans and collectors.
In essence, A Whole New Thing is considered a strong, inventive funk/soul record showcasing Billy Preston's immense talent and forward-thinking use of keyboards, even if it didn't achieve massive mainstream success at the time.
I Wrote A Simple Song
Written-By – Billy Preston, Joe Greene
2:28
A2 I Wrote A Simple Song
Written-By – Billy Preston, Joe Greene
3:28
A3 John Henry
Written-By – Billy Preston, Robert Sam
3:15
A4 Without A Song
Written-By – William Rose*, Edward Eliscu, Vincent Youmans
4:57
A5 The Bus
Written-By – Billy Preston, Joe Greene
3:32
B1 Outa-Space
Written-By – Billy Preston, Joe Greene
4:08
B2 The Looner Tune
Written-By – Billy Preston, Jesse Kirkland, Joe Greene
2:47
B3 You Done Got Older
Written-By – Billy Preston, Bruce Fisher
3:08
B4 Swing Down Chariot
Written By – Public Domain
4:13
B5 God Is Great
Written-By – Billy Preston, Joe Greene
3:32
B6 My Country 'Tis Of Thee
Written By – Public Domain
4:27
Label: A&M Records – SP-3507
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1971
Genre: R&B Soul, Blues
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
Released in November 1971, I Wrote A Simple Song is Billy Preston’s sixth studio album and his successful debut for A&M Records, blending soul, funk, gospel, and rock. It is best known for the Grammy-winning instrumental hit "Outa-Space" and features guest appearances from artists like George Harrison.
The album is noted for its "soul stew" mix of styles, featuring, energetic, organic, and often instrumental tracks that showcase Preston's organ and piano skills.
Standout Tracks:-
"Outa-Space": The album’s massive hit was actually the B-side to the title track until DJs flipped the record. It won the 1972 Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance and features Preston's pioneering use of the Hohner Clavinet through a wah-wah pedal.
"I Wrote a Simple Song": The title track is a soulful "slow jam" featuring straightforward lyrics about musical ambition.
"My Country, 'Tis of Thee": A deeply emotive, gospel-infused rendition that has been favorably compared to Ray Charles' "America the Beautiful".
"
The Bus": A funky instrumental that later became a staple of his live performances, often medlied with the Beatles' "Day Tripper".
This album marked a turning point in Preston’s career, establishing his commercial success in the US, according to Wikipedia and Wax Poetics.
Even after the Beatles' breakup, George Harrison contributed lead guitar on several tracks and dobro on the title song. Quincy Jones provided the strings and horn arrangements, adding a polished layer to the raw grooves.
While some retrospective reviews call it a "satisfactory affair" or "just another good Billy Preston album," it is noted for its collective groove playing rather than individual soloing.
Reviews often describe the album as a solid, feel-good, and at times, laid-back "party" record, rather than a deep, conceptual masterpiece.