Billy Preston - Ultimate Collection

The key to Billy Preston's success, from the mid `70's to the early `00's has been diversity. With a career that has spanned from Ray Charles to the Beatles and from gospel to funk to rock, Preston was quoted in Rolling Stone circa `71 as saying "Young whites, young blacks, old people, jazz people - I want `em all." While that sort of open-armed pursuit of music fans everywhere helped to cement Preston's position as a worlwide superstar, it also makes his place in rock history hard to pigeonhole. He's too R&B for classic rockers, too pop for the funketeer camp, and not camp enough for the folks who remember the `70's for "Kung-Fu Fighting" or "Afternoon Delight"
When you get right down to it though, it's not about the genre classification, it's about the music.
This Ultimate Collection has 20 of Billy's best, ready to remind you not only why clerks had a hard time figuring out where to file him, but why they couldn't keep his records in the store! Album Description

Where Is "God Loves YOU"?

Billy Preston is certainly missed. In addition to his work with the Beatles and others, if you look at the video for the Rolling Stones' "Hot Stuff", you will see him all over that too. R.I.P. December 3, 2008

Billy Preston, Ultimate Collection

the epitome of funky and groovy. Roller skating would have never been as much fun without this music. September 28, 2008

Not What I Expected

I remember Billy Preston as just a kid playing organ on Shindig or some such 60's TV music program. Just happy type music. Then, years later, I saw him backing Ray Charles, with The Man pausing and saying, "Take it, Mr. Preston," and, boy, did he, instrumentally. That's what I wanted, but what I got is the Happy Music, which is fine and delightful, but not what I was hoping for. So, if you like his happy upbeat singing and playing style, you'll probably like this--and that's not a put-down. But I wanted to hear his genius as an organist. So, my search continues. July 10, 2008

Billy did his songs without even trying--and that's no small feat !!!

Billy Preston possessed the talent to perform just about any song and make it his own because of his uncanny ability to "feel" every type of music. Yes, it WAS impossible to pigeonhole Billy Preston--but that's just why he was so great!

The CD track set begins with his awesome "Will It Go Round In Circles."
Listen for some great piano, brass and drums. Billy never sounded better and his excellent diction bolsters his fine performance! "Outa-Space" boasts one of the funkiest 1970s arrangements I've ever enjoyed-- this will make you feel like getting up and dancing this minute! Great electric guitar; and the drums also carry the bulk of the melody.

"That's The Way God Planned It" gives us a live track recorded by Billy Preston in concert; sure, it may be because of some clause in a recording contract but you're bound to enjoy this rarely released live track! Billy could truly lead his audiences wherever he wanted them to go. "That's The Way God Planned It" mixes a gospel flavor with a rock sound that makes this number irresistible! "Space Race" reverts back to that funky 1970s rock and disco beat with some great sound effects to make this funky number shine like gold! I predict that you will like "Space Race" very much.

"Nothing From Nothing" gives us Billy singing a song about relationships in life; and he sings this very well. The piano, drums and guitar carry the melody well; and this compliments Billy's vocals very nicely. In addition, "You Are So Beautiful" gets the royal treatment from Billy and his band as he bats this one straight out of the ballpark for one great big grand slam! Billy sings "You Are So Beautiful" with sensitivity, heart and soul. The backup chorus makes this number even better! "With You I'm Born Again" again features Billy performing a tender love ballad with a nice slow tempo to enhance the natural beauty of this ballad. Billy does "With You I'm Born Again" with Syreeta; and this comes from the movie Fast Break. Great!

The liner notes offer us an informative, lengthy essay about Billy and his music; and we get some great photos of Billy, too. We also get the song credits with the chart dates for each song.

Billy Preston could do anything he set his mind to do; and this CD proves it beyond doubt. I highly recommend this for Billy's fans and everyone who likes good, quality music from the 1970s to very recent years.
October 5, 2007

A tragic loss

If you have to buy one compilation this year, get this one. It captures much of Billy Prestons best work from 1972 to 1982. Billy Preston was a gifted Piano player and Organist, as well being a talented vocalist. This CD has the marvellous "Will it go round in circles", as well some heavy funk, gospel influenced material and 3 duets with Syreeta, which are more mellow soul. You get 20 tracks and they are all required listening. The CD is pretty well packaged with decent sleeve notes and biographical and recording information (although produced before he died).

He is of course most famous for his playing on the "Let It Be" sessions with The Beatles. However he worked with many other people throughout his career including The Stones and stints with Ringo Starrs all-star Band. One of his later appearances you can buy, was with Eric Clapton on the "One more Car, One more Rider" shows in 2001. He is marvellous on this and the DVD is well worth getting. This CD was put together just before these shows in 2000. Sadly Billy Preston died in 2006 at the age of only 59.
April 3, 2007

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