Brook Benton The Best of Brook Benton - 20th Century Masters / Millennium Collection

In response to Mr. Bramble's review, I highly recommend the Jasmine label two CD set with Brook's material: "Let me Sing And I'm Happy." The label number is Jasmine JASCD 744. This item contains four - the second "quartet" of albums, recorded by Mr. Benton. His first four LPs are on "The Silky Smooth Tones Of Brook Benton." These are important because they are quality issues of the original recordings. And, there is room for important "Non-LP Singles" which may be otherwise difficult to acquire, in any condition. For example, "Shadrack" was a big hit in Los Angeles, and is one of the first singles which I purchased, in a great picture sleeve. It was also contained in an album of religious themed material, and this LP is long out of print. Perhaps in the interest of "completeness" this LP could also be reissued. All of this is important because Mr. Benton also re-recorded his hits, with "cheap - o" production values. Even on the re-recordings, the sound may be OK, and his voice is always great, but the newer arrangements are disappointing - just quickie recordings to make a buck and avoid paying the rights to the original recordings. You may spend a little more to obtain all of his hits by buying these anthologies; if you care about his music, it's well worth it! For example, KFXM-FM in Lancaster, California (KFXM.com) , plays Benton's "Walk On The Wild Side" and around the end of the year "This Time Of Year" is featured. If you study his output, Benton had many chart hits, some Top Ten, many not quite as successful, but I don't think that one CD could hold all of his greatest and best material. And, let's not forget the marvelous singing on his Swan song, "Rainy Night In Georgia."

Always thought that Brook Benton was one of the more underrated singers ever. This is a very good, but short compiliation of his works.Wish there were more on it.