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Alton Ellis created a template in the 1960s that subsequent Jamaican singers like Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs would follow to a T, combining soulful vocal phrasing, derived in part from American R&B, with hard island rhythms and a bent for romantic material into a surefire way to keep a presence on the charts. Although he is often celebrated for his subtle Jamaican interpretations of American pop hits (which often improved on the originals, as is the case here with Ellis' version of Chuck Jackson's "Willow Tree"), it is startling to realize how many of the best songs on this two-disc, 56-track compilation of Ellis' early years were actually written by the singer. "Dance Crasher," "Cry Tough," "The Preacher," "Black Man's World," "Harder and Harder," and "Better Get Your Heads Together" were all penned by Ellis, and his soaring tenor renders them both poignant and irresistible. It's also interesting how many of the tracks deal squarely with social issues, and while there are plenty of romantic ballads included here, Ellis clearly had a wider range of concerns than his public persona as a crooner would afford. Songs like "Cry Tough" (with its classic "how can a man be tougher than the world" interjection by Lloyd Charmers) are immortal, in part because of Ellis' emotive and nuanced vocals, but also because the writing is so smart, wise, and assured, not to mention timely and political. As an introduction to Ellis' classic early years (and in particular, his work with Treasure Isle producer Duke Reid), Be True to Yourself is hard to beat.
© Steve Leggett /TiVo
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The Flames, Composer - Alton Ellis, Composer, Vocals - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1965 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Vocals, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1965 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
The Flames, MainArtist - Alton Ellis, MainArtist - The Baba Brooks Band, MainArtist - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1966 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Vocals - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1966 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
The Flames, Performance - Alton Ellis, Performance - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1966 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Vocals - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1966 Sanctuary Record Group Ltd., a BMG Company
The Flames, Composer - Alton Ellis, Composer - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, Composer, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1966 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Vocals - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Composer, Performance, MainArtist - Edgar Clinton Gordon, Composer - Winston Jarrett, Composer
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1966 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Composer - Brian Atkinson, Composer - Duke Reid, Producer - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1967 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Eugene Dixon, Composer - Bernice Williams, Composer - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist - Earl G. Edwards, Composer
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1967 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1967 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Tommy McCook, Composer - Alton Ellis, Composer, Performance, MainArtist - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1967 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
The Flames, Composer - Tommy McCook, Composer, Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Alton Ellis, Composer - The Supersonics, Composer, FeaturedArtist, With Vocals - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1967 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Producer, MainArtist - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Neamiah Ellis, Composer
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1967 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist - Alton Neamiah Ellis, Composer
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Tommy McCook, Composer - Alton Ellis, Composer, MainArtist - The Supersonics, Composer - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Vocals, MainArtist - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Neamiah Ellis, Composer
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Leroy Sibbles, Composer - Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist - Barry Llewellyn, Composer - Phyllis Dillon, Performance, MainArtist - Earl Morgan, Composer - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist - Lloyd Williams, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Felice Bryant, Composer - Boudleaux Bryant, Composer - Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
The Flames, Performance - Alton Ellis, Performance - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1971 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Thomas Bell, Composer - Alton Ellis, Vocals, MainArtist - WILLIAM HART, Composer - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
The Flames, Performance - Alton Ellis, Performance - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Tommy McCook, Saxophone, MainArtist - Alton Ellis, MainArtist - The Supersonics, MainArtist - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Paul Anka, Composer - Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1969 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Tommy McCook, Composer - Alton Ellis, Composer, Vocals, MainArtist - Phyllis Dillon, Composer, Vocals, MainArtist - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1970 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
DISC 2
Vernon Bullock, Composer - Johnny Bristol, Composer - Alton Ellis, Composer, MainArtist - HARVEY FUQUA, Composer - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1970 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company 1970 ℗ Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1970 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Winston Riley, Producer - Alton Ellis, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1970 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1970 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1970 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1970 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1971 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1971 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1971 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1971 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1971 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1971 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1971 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1971 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1971 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1972 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1972 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1972 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1972 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Albumbeschreibung
Alton Ellis created a template in the 1960s that subsequent Jamaican singers like Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs would follow to a T, combining soulful vocal phrasing, derived in part from American R&B, with hard island rhythms and a bent for romantic material into a surefire way to keep a presence on the charts. Although he is often celebrated for his subtle Jamaican interpretations of American pop hits (which often improved on the originals, as is the case here with Ellis' version of Chuck Jackson's "Willow Tree"), it is startling to realize how many of the best songs on this two-disc, 56-track compilation of Ellis' early years were actually written by the singer. "Dance Crasher," "Cry Tough," "The Preacher," "Black Man's World," "Harder and Harder," and "Better Get Your Heads Together" were all penned by Ellis, and his soaring tenor renders them both poignant and irresistible. It's also interesting how many of the tracks deal squarely with social issues, and while there are plenty of romantic ballads included here, Ellis clearly had a wider range of concerns than his public persona as a crooner would afford. Songs like "Cry Tough" (with its classic "how can a man be tougher than the world" interjection by Lloyd Charmers) are immortal, in part because of Ellis' emotive and nuanced vocals, but also because the writing is so smart, wise, and assured, not to mention timely and political. As an introduction to Ellis' classic early years (and in particular, his work with Treasure Isle producer Duke Reid), Be True to Yourself is hard to beat.
© Steve Leggett /TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 56 track(s)
- Total length: 02:37:43
- Main artists: Alton Ellis
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Trojan Records
- Genre: Reggae
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 2004 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
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