Music Review: B.J. Thomas - Most Of All/Billy Joe Thomas - Page 2

The set kicks off with “That’s What Friends Are For,” written by the diminutive Paul Williams, who went on to open for Thomas in concert. Some of the other notables to appear on Billy Joe Thomas include Carole King, Jimmy Webb, Mark “Hooked On A Feeling“ James, and John Sebastian.

The hit was “Rock And Roll Lullaby,” from the great Mann-Weill team. Stevie Wonder’s “Happier Than The Morning Sun,” is another treat, as it features not only his vocals, but his inimitable harmonica playing as well.

With this collection, B.J. Thomas’ tenure at Scepter Records came to an end, with a total of nine albums released between 1966-72. Collector’s Choice have now reissued all but number three, Sings For Lovers And Losers in the following configurations:

I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry/Tomorrow Never Comes, On My Way/Young And In Love , Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head/Everybody’s Out Of Town, and this one, Most Of All/Billy Joe Thomas. Every one of these sets contains two original LPs and a number of bonus tracks on one CD.

Listening to the discs chronologically, I have found something to recommend about each and every one. For anyone looking to explore the early years of a somewhat overlooked artist, the B.J. Thomas reissues are a terrific find.

Article Author: Greg Barbrick

Greg Barbrick is a Seattle native who was first published in 1988, in his hometown music magazine, The Rocket. Since then his work has appeared in print and online for numerous sources. He Googles himself so often that his mother told him it would make him go blind.
…

Visit Greg Barbrick's author page — Greg Barbrick's Blog