Product Description:
Personnel includes: Gene McDaniels (vocals); The Johnny Mann Singers (background vocals).
Producers: Dave Pell, Snuff Garrett, Joe Saraceno.
Compilation producer: Ron Furmanek.
Recorded at United/Western Studios, Custom Studios and Sunset Sound Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles. Includes liner notes by Joseph F. Laredo.
Personnel: Gene McDaniels (vocals); Johnny Mann Singers (background vocals).
Audio Remasterer: Kevin Reeves.
Audio Remixers: Kevin Reeves; Ron Furmanek.
Liner Note Author: Joseph F. Laredo.
Recording information: Custom Studios, Hollywood, CA (01/??/1961-08/16/1965); Sunset Sound Studios, Hollywood, CA (01/??/1961-08/16/1965); United (01/??/1961-08/16/1965); Western Studios, Hollywood, CA (01/??/1961-08/16/1965).
Photographers: Jeffrey Scales; Michael Ochs.
Arrangers: Ernie Freeman; Gene Page; Hank Levine; Jack Nitzsche; Perry Botkin, Jr.
Gene McDaniels' impressive vocals make songs like "Point of No Return," "Tower of Strength," "Chip Chip," and the title track, "A Hundred Pounds of Clay," into true classics. Surrounded by appropriately applied brass and strings and underpinned by solid rhythms, everything here feels like a long-lost treasure. This same set has been issued a couple of times over, but it's the songs that count, so it doesn't really matter which version you pick up. ~ Steve Leggett
A reissue of a reissue, this 1995 Collectables package is the same as EMI's 1991 Legendary Masters entry on this jazz singer turned pop artist. McDaniels' formidable pipes soar over these tracks and hits like "Point of No Return," "Tower of Strength," "Chip Chip," and the title track show him to be one class act. The production is grade-A, with lots of brass, strings and solid rhythm earmarking everything on here, making each song a minor gem. Because this is a reissue of the earlier EMI package, the liner notes and recording information are top-notch, a rarity with most Collectables packaging from this era. A hidden classic from rock & roll's supposed fallow period. ~ Cub Koda
