Overton Vertis Wright is certainly in the Champions League ranks as far as deep soul singers are concerned. Vocally, he belongs to the rough group, i.e. not as smooth as Al Green, for example, more in the Syl Johnson direction. He definitely comes from the gospel direction and that definitely resonates a bit here. Here are his two best LPs (from 72 and 73) on one disc, which is packed to the brim at 77 minutes. Anyway, I would say that these two records are among the best in this segment anyway. It was produced by Willie Mitchell from the Hi Records label/studio and the backing band is the absolute best – the three Hodges brothers on guitar, bass and keyboards. Plus Howard Grimes on percussion and the Memphis Horns. And the groove of this band is so unique. Possibly only released on CD in Japan and probably already out of stock. The original individual vinl costs between €70 and €300. Comes as a CD-R with cover in a jewel box.
“The golden era of Southern soul was essentially over by 1971, but thankfully no one told O.V. Wright about this; this album, which as the title suggests featured two of his biggest hits, showed that his gifts as a vocalist were near the peak of their strength, and this is Memphis-style R&B in the grand tradition. Willie Mitchell produced these sessions at his Royal Recording Studio in Memphis, with the Hi Records Rhythm Section and the Memphis Horns providing the backing, and their performances lend the music a smooth, glorious burn like fine brandy, and are not unlike the work they did with Al Green, but reveal a darker and bluesier tone. Great as the band is, Wright headlines this show, and when he sings he dominates these sessions with grace and authority; the longing and hurt in his voice are a wonder to behold, and the burnished gospel influences in his voice meld the secular and the sacred with a powerful common belief, particularly on "He Made Woman for Man." The lovers' ache of "Don't Take It Away" and "When You Took Your Love from Me," and the blues-shot laments of "A Nickel and a Nail" and "Afflicted" are as powerful as Southern soul got in the early '70s. Wright was a master of this form, and while he would lose his life only nine years after this album was released, A Nickel and a Nail and Ace of Spades sounds like the work of an artist as powerful and vital as you could ask for. Brilliant music, despite cover art that makes this look like a low-budget bootleg.” (Allmusic about Nickel And A Nail. 4 1/2 out of 5)
“Hard-driving soul produced by Willie Mitchell.” (Allmusic about Memphis Unlimited. 4 1/2 out of 5)
