VA - Dirty Laundry: The Soul Of Black Country (2004)

The term “country soul” is usually applied to singers who more or less come from the country side of things and exhibit soul leanings (Tony Joe White, Bobbie Gentry, etc.), but the DIRTY LAUNDRY collection comes a the concept from the other side. It focuses on soul singers tackling country-oriented material, and in the process it underlines the long-standing connection between the two styles. Long after the novelty factor wears off, the sound of Etta James giving her all on an R&B-soaked “Almost Persuaded,” or Candi Staton making “Stand By Your Man” sound more like “Stand By Me” will make you redefine your ideas about country music's boundaries and possibilities. FYI: this revelatory collection was followed by an equally rewarding second volume.~Dirty Laundry: The Soul of Black Country Review by Jim Allen