American Soul Man
Studio album by
Wilson Pickett
Released1987
GenreSoul
LabelMotown
ProducerRobert Margouleff
Wilson Pickett chronology
Right Track
(1981)		 American Soul Man
(1987)		 A Man and a Half: The Best of Wilson Pickett
(1992)

American Soul Man is an album by the American musician Wilson Pickett, released in 1987.[1][2] "Don't Turn Away" was released as a single.[3] The album was a commercial disappointment, in part due to MCA Records' acquisition of Motown.[4]

The album peaked at No. 75 on Billboard's Top Black Albums chart.[5] "In the Midnight Hour" was nominated for a Grammy Award, in the "Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male" category.[6]

Production

Recorded in Los Angeles, the album was produced by Robert Margouleff.[7][8] Pickett used synthesizers on the majority of the tracks.[9] Gary Myrick played guitar on the album.[10] "In the Midnight Hour" is a remake of Pickett's biggest hit.[11] "A Man of Value" incorporates elements of gospel music.[12]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[13]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[14]
The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B And Soul[15]

The Chicago Tribune wrote: "Neither an exercise in nostalgia nor a pointless attempt to be trendy, this new album is classic American soul performed by one of its finest artists."[16] The Washington Post determined that "now that Motown's got him, you'd expect the emphasis to be on production, so there's no surprise to find the synthesizers and electronic drums... What is a surprise, however, is how easily Pickett adapts to the setting."[11] The Kingston Whig-Standard noted that, "although Pickett can grind out a dance song as sexily as anyone, no one can be more passionate on a ballad."[9] The Cincinnati Post deemed "Just Let Her Know" "a funky bit of soulful stroll."[17] The Edmonton Journal praised Pickett's "emotionally-charged and powerful voice."[18]

Track listing

American Soul Man track listing
No.TitleLength
1."A Thing Called Love" 
2."When Your Heart Speaks" 
3."Love Never Let Me Down" 
4."A Man of Value" 
5."(I Wanna) Make Love to You" 
6."In the Midnight Hour" 
7."Don't Turn Away" 
8."Just Let Her Know" 
9."Can't Stop Now" 

References

  1. ↑ Gregory, Hugh (1995). Soul Music A-Z. Da Capo Press. p. 240.
  2. ↑ Robins, Wayne (15 Jan 1988). "On Music". Weekend. Newsday. p. 15.
  3. 1 2 "American Soul Man Review by Ron Wynn". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  4. ↑ Keepnews, Peter (24 Nov 1989). "A Banner Weekend for Those Who Love Funk". The New York Times. p. C22.
  5. ↑ "Wilson Pickett". Billboard. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "Wilson Pickett". Recording Academy. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  7. ↑ Lounges, Tom (11 Sep 1987). "Wilson Pickett Comes Down Off Fence". The Times. Munster. p. D3.
  8. ↑ Betts, Graham (2014). Motown Encyclopedia. AC Publishing.
  9. 1 2 Burliuk, Greg (5 Dec 1987). "American Soul Man Wilson Pickett". The Kingston Whig-Standard. p. P20.
  10. ↑ Wagner, Paul (18 Sep 1987). "Records". Spotlight. Santa Cruz Sentinel. p. 12.
  11. 1 2 Joyce, Mike (27 Nov 1987). "These Soul Men, They Still Play". The Washington Post. p. N21.
  12. ↑ Emerson, David (24 Sep 1987). "Records". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 9.
  13. ↑ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1996. p. 521.
  14. ↑ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 544.
  15. ↑ Larkin, Colin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B and Soul. Virgin. pp. 262, 263.
  16. ↑ Heim, Chris (22 Nov 1987). "American Soul Man". Arts. Chicago Tribune. p. 24.
  17. ↑ Nager, Larry (5 Sep 1987). "Records". The Cincinnati Post. p. 5B.
  18. ↑ North, Peter (5 Nov 1987). "Soul Man's Still Tops". Edmonton Journal. p. D2.
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