Brook Benton was one of the few artists that was able to fit into both the R&B as well as pop/adult departments. His voice is Nat Cole silky smooth, a touch lighter, but able to go Johnny Hartman deep when needed. This two disc set brings together material from his greatest years, ranging from his earliest 1955 sessions on Okeh and including material from labels Epic, Vik, RCA and finaly Mercury in 1962.
Benton’s delivery is both assured and late night relaxed, and fits well with more bluesy material as on “When I Grow Too Old To Dream” with the Sandmen.” Much of the material has him with larger ensembles and vocal backing, which was de rigueur of the period. This made songs like “It’s Just A Matter of Time,” “Thank You Pretty Baby” and “So Many Ways’ palatable for the black and white audiences. He is sublime and soulful on big hits such as “Think Twice” and “Endlessly” and even struck it rich with the cute “The Boll Weevil Song,” with “Hotel Happiness” closing out this collection. All pre-Beatles, pre-soul and pre-angst. Just great sounds and moods; where did we go wrong?