After starting as a solo artist, Chip Taylor began writing and producing for other musicians in the mid-60s, becoming one of the hottest songwriters of the era after his first major success with the immortal Wild Thing: originally recorded by the New York-based Wild Ones, before catapulting The Troggs to stardom in 1966. If he’d unwittingly forged a prototype for punk primitivism, however, Taylor’s subsequent work spanned an often balladic broad musical palette – the main continuity being the queues to record cover versions.
This 25-track compilation of career highlights is packed with classics, starting with The Troggs (who also covered Anyway That You Want Me – here by Tina Mason) and ending with Taylor’s later forays into country music. In between there are timeless gems such as Lorraine Ellison’s Try (Just A Little Bit Harder) (later huge for Janis Joplin), Merillee Rush’s Angel Of The Morning and Picture Me Gone – originally a hit for Taylor’s protégé Evie Sands (present with I Can’t Let Go) and covered sublimely here by the often-overlooked Madeline Bell.
Other names include Aretha Franklin, Peggy Lee, Billy Vera, Walter Jackson, Reparata & The Delrons and The Hollies, while Ace’s customarily thorough sleevenotes give the full story behind each song, complimenting a truly luscious package.
