Tightening It Up: The Best of Archie Bell & the Drells

by Archie Bell & the Drells, Archie Bell

Overview

It could be assumed that Archie Bell & the Drells essentially did the same thing over and over again, since "Tighten Up" almost consigns them to the level of one-hit wonders, but that's not an accurate assessment of their gifts. True, they often followed the same stylish, sunny, utterly infectious sound, but there was a lot more depth and variety there, as Rhino's terrific 20-track collection Tightening It Up: The Best of Archie Bell & the Drells illustrates. What it reveals to those that weren't playing close attention is that the group was one of the first great Philly soul outfits, recording a number of Gamble & Huff's early songs and providing a training ground for the seminal duo. Though the hits didn't come fast and furious, like they would later, they, Bell & the Drells, created some wonderful singles, highlighted by "(There's Gonna Be A) Showdown" and "A World Without Music." There's plenty of other terrific moments throughout this collection, which proves that Bell & the Drells were far more than a one-hit wonder -- they were one of the great under appreciated soul outfits of their time. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	08/16/1994
Label:	Rhino
UPC:	0081227172527
Rank:	26831

Tracks

1. Tighten Up
2. I Can't Stop Dancing
3. Do the Choo Choo
4. Love Will Rain on You
5. (There's Gonna Be A) Showdown
6. I Love My Baby
7. Girl You're Too Young
8. My Balloon's Going Up
9. A World Without Music
10. Don't Let the Music Slip Away
11. Wrap It Up
12. Dancing to Your Music
13. Ain't Nothing for a Man in Love
14. I Could Dance All Night
15. The Soul City Walk
16. Let's Groove
17. Everybody Have a Good Time
18. Glad You Could Make It
19. I've Been Missing You
20. Strategy

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Archie Bell & the Drells   Primary Artist
Archie Bell   Primary Artist,Vocals
Michael Pedicin, Jr.   Sax (Alto),Saxophone
Thom Bell   Organ
Carla Benson   Vocals (Background)
Bobby Martin   Keyboards,Vibraphone
Lee Bell   Vocals
Raymond Earl   Bass
Dexter Wansel   Piano
Leon Huff   Piano
Norman Harris   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Bunny Sigler   Piano,Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Sam Peake   Saxophone,Sax (Alto)
Keith Benson   Drums
Evette Benton   Vocals (Background)
Barbara Ingram   Vocals (Background)
Billy Butler   Vocals
Rick Hicks   Congas
Keith Errol Benson   Drums
David Cruse   Bongos,Congas,Percussion
Sam Reed   Horn,Strings
James Hicks   Congas
Michael Forman   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Ed Tree Moore   Guitar (Acoustic)
Corliss "Sunshine" Forrest   Percussion
Don Renaldo   Horn,Strings
Roland Chambers   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar
Jerry Cohen   Keyboards
The TSU Toronados   Band
Dennis Harris   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Vince Montana   Percussion
Ed Shea   Bells,Vibraphone
T.J. Tindall   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Theodore Life   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Scott Miller   Drums
David Thompson   Drums
Jimmy Sigler   Organ
Larry Washington   Bongos,Congas
Earl Young   Drums
Victor Carstarphen   Piano,Keyboards
Charles Collins   Percussion
Ron Baker   Bass
Ronnie James   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Richard Rome   Piano
Ronald Baker   Bass
Willie Pernell   Vocals
James Wise   Vocals
Jimmy Williams   Bass
Joe Cross   Vocals
Jillean Williams   Bass
Michael Foreman   Guitar
Kim Miller   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Edward Moore   Guitar

Technical Credits

Archie Bell & the Drells   Performer
Brad Shapiro   Producer
Archie Bell   Arranger,Composer
Thom Bell   Arranger,Composer
Dave Crawford   Producer
Barry Beckett   Arranger
David McLees   Producer
David Porter   Composer
Leon Huff   Composer,Producer
Ron Tyson   Composer
Bunny Sigler   Composer,Producer
Thomas Wallington   Composer
Bobby Martin   Arranger
Roland Chambers   Arranger
Jerry Cohen   Composer
Phillip Mitchell   Composer,Producer
Coco Shinomiya   Artwork
Skipper Lee Frazier   Producer
Allan Felder   Composer
Bill Inglot   Producer
Kenny Gamble   Composer,Producer
Billy Buttier   Composer
Isaac Hayes   Composer
Gene McFadden   Composer,Producer
Victor Carstarphen   Composer,Producer
Cary Gilbert   Composer
Jeff Jarema   Liner Notes
John Whitehead   Composer,Producer
Douglas Brown   Composer
Wade Marcus   Arranger
Richard Rome   Arranger
Ronald Baker   Arranger
John L. Usry Jr.   Arranger
Loring Eutemey   Illustrations