Johnny Adams - I Won't Cry: The Complete Ric & Ron Singles 1959-1964 (2015) [CD Rip]

This 2015 compilation I Won't Cry: The Complete Ric & Ron Singles 1959-1964 covers familiar territory but in an appealingly thorough fashion. Adams had only one nationally charting hit on Ric or Ron, "A Losing Battle" which went to 27 in 1962, but they were popular in his native New Orleans and over the years remained favorites of fans of Crescent City soul. Adams tended to be a little smoother than a lot of his Big Easy contemporaries: there's a recognizable NO lilt to some of the songs, but he was more of a crooner, sounding equally comfortable on dramatic ballads and lusher pop crossovers. This characteristic meant that he could slide with the smoother soul styles of the late '60s and '70s, which is when he gained his greatest popularity, but these somewhat grittier productions also suit him well; it's a nice blend of his velvet touch and earthy rhythms. I Won't Cry showcases this appealing combination. At 24 tracks, it's ten songs longer than the 1991 Rounder compilation of the same name and that extra space is warranted because each of the sides here has considerable charm; there's a reason why Adams is a widely acclaimed soul singer, and many of the reasons can be heard on this fine collection. ~AMG