The Willow Sessions

RELEASE
1995
LABEL
Castle Music Ltd.
GENRES
Rhythm & Blues, Early R&B, Rock & Roll

Album Review

Mickey & Sylvia are properly thought of as '50s rock & rollers, but they actually did a good deal of recording in the '60s, though without much notable commercial success. Most of this 19-track CD was recorded in the early '60s for their own label, Willow; only one song, "Baby You're So Fine," was a hit, making the R&B Top 30. The album doesn't have the fire of their best sides for RCA in the '50s, but it's not bad, usually purveying a groove similar to their early work, though tamer. Occasionally Mickey brandishes blues-rock chops to show that he can still cut deep with his axe, especially on "Darling (I Miss You So)" and the previously unissued instrumentals "Sylvia's Blues" and "Mickey's Blues." There are also a few curious (but fairly respectable) cuts dating from the late '60s that Sylvia recorded for the All Platinum label in a much more contemporary soul vein.
Richie Unterberger, Rovi

Track Listing

  1. Love Is Strange
  2. He Gave Me Everything
  3. Love Drops
  4. The Hucklebuck
  5. Baby You're So Fine, Pt. 1
  6. Mickey's Blues
  7. Anytime
  8. Darling (I Miss You So)
  9. Walking in the Rain
  10. I'm Guilty
  11. Loving You Darling
  12. Sylvia's Blues
  13. Since I Fell for You
  14. Baby You're So Fine, Pt. 2
  15. Soulin' With Mickey and Sylvia
  16. Because You Do It to Me
  17. Our Love [Alternate Take]
  18. I Can't Help It
  19. Love Is the Only Thing