Sweet Charlie Babe

Album review

Sweet Charlie Babe contains ten powerhouse tracks by Jacksonville, FL native Jackie Moore. A good mixture of Southern and urban R&B soul from the saucy, sweet soul diva. The slinky "Precious, Precious" zoomed up the charts and became her biggest hit; it employs a similar groove that made hits out of "Trapped by a Thing Called Love" by Denise LaSalle and "Make Me Yours" by Bettye Swann. "If" is lyrically infectious; Joe Simon also recorded the Bunny Sigler and Phil Hurtt tune. The floating "Both Ends Against the Middle" delights every time it spins. Moore does justice to the Elgins' "Darling Baby," the rolling ballad is one of Holland-Dozier-Holland's most charming songs. Moore shows no shame singing about her man Charlie, on "Sweet Charlie Babe," an upbeat testimonial, with a message similar to the Marvelettes' "Don't Mess with Bill." She dispenses wise advice on "Clean Up Your Own Yard." "Time" is an exquisite ballad eloquently done by Moore; however, beat ballads and deep soul sagas like "Cover Me" and "Willpower" defined Moore's style. If you can't find this slab of vinyl, these songs and more are available on the CD Precious, Precious: The Best of Jackie Moore.

© Andrew Hamilton /TiVo