Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Years ago in the States, long before 'Mindy's Revenge'. Word put out a various artists album, asking purchasers to send in their choice as to whom Word should sign up. Dobie Gray was on that album though it was Kenny Marks who got the CCM punters' votes. And that was more or less the last appearance on record of Dobie Gray - for my money one of the GREAT voices of pop and soul. He had Northern soul hits with 'The In Crowd" and 'Tainted Love" (which aren't on here) but it was the classic stuff he did with country rock musicians for MCA in the '70s which are compiled on this album. Truly timeless the tracks are too. The absolute classic is "Drift Away" and if the Mentor Williams-penned opus has an uncomfortably idolatrous lyric ("Give me the beat boy to free my soul") it shows what a magnificent singer Dobie was. Shame he never got a chance to record more than that one God song.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.