The reworking continued as Tina kept listening to rock music of the day. Versions of The Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women” and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary,” which was a staple of their live act for years, became something new and all her own. “Proud Mary” opens slow and then launches into a spicy hot swamp rock anthem, while the Stax records-sounding “Workin’ Together” and “Get Back” sound as if they could have been part of Elvis’ 1970 Vegas repertoire.
“Up In Heah,” “Sexy Ida (Part 1),” “Sweet Rhode Island Red,” and “Nutbush City Limits” are the tunes that represent the last phase of the Ike and Tina union. The guitars become heavier and more distorted, the bass drips with funk, and the drums pound out steady time as the horns jump in and out. Swirling around the whole band are keyboards and guitar chords bent too damn far, creating space-age sounds for the next stratosphere. Lending a hand on guitar for “Sexy Ida” and “Nutbush City Limit” is Marc Bolan from T.Rex.
Disc three is a live recording from 1969 when the Ike & Tina Revue where at full power and driving audiences wild with their electric high voltage stage presence. The album “In Person” has never been released on CD before making this set a true Time Life exclusive. The disc oozes with the feel of what a live show must have been like as the band mixes rock songs with solid soul senders. We get to hear The Ikettes on “Everyday People” and “There Was a Time.” Tina knocks you out with Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimme Some Lovin’” and Arthur Conley’s “Sweet Soul Music.” Not to leave out her killer renditions of “Funky Street,” “Son Of A Preacher Man” and “Respect.”
A very good way to close out one hell of a boxed set and as an added bonus the 24-page booklet is filled with many interesting photos and is written once again by the extremely knowledgeable Colin Escott. There is a great photo of Ike looking at Tina on stage and he’s giving her the evil eye. It’s great and sums up their torrid relationship well. Go pick this one up, y’all; it will have you movin’ and groovin’ from start to finish.
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