The only live album of
Wilson
's career was recorded in the early '60s at New York's famous
Copacabana
nightclub. It was an almost obligatory rite of passage for early soul stars breaking into the mainstream, one also enacted by
Sam Cooke
and several
Motown
stars. As you'd expect, the cirumstances don't exactly lend themselves to showing
at his greatest advantage, particularly if you're principally a fan of
the soul singer, not
the all-around entertainer. He sounds like an over-the-top lounge lizard throughout much of the proceedings, zipping through standards like
Leonard Bernstein
's
"Tonight,"
"Body and Soul,"
"St. James Infirmary,"
and
Cole Porter
"Love for Sale,"
occasionally pausing for some corny between-song patter. He does interject a few of his R&B hits (
"That's Why,"
"Doggin' Around,"
"To Be Loved,"
"Lonely Teardrops"
), but these too get the casino band treatment, complete with strings and strident female backup vocalists. No, it's not what you play as exhibit A to showcase
Jackie Wilson
, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer. But taken on its own terms it's enjoyably cheesy entertainment,
's astounding vocal prowess always in evidence. ~ Richie Unterberger