Ike And Tina Turner
" The Ike & Tina Story 1960-1975 "

Close To Definitive, (11/28/07)

Ike and Tina Turner were so popular and talented during the 1960s and '70s that the Rolling Stones regularly took them on tour as an opening act. This Ike & Tina Story 1960-1975 three-CD box set is royally packaged and is a pleasant addition to any CD library.

The reason that we have not seen a collection like this before has to do with the fact that Ike and Tina recorded for several different labels, including independent recording companies, thus making the licensing of tracks a hodgepodge for a single compilation, and perhaps an expensive one at that as well. Enter Time Life, who took the plunge at collecting the Turners' classic hits, which comes pretty damn close to being the definitive Ike and Tina box set, as this beautiful package is a ton of classic fun, especially when you consider that a vast majority of their best tracks are included. But this fine collection falls a bit short of being the "ultimate" definitive collection, probably because of the age-old problem of cross licensing. Missing in action are the legendary and controversial Phil Spector's production of "River Deep-Mountain High" (which is included here in a live version on Disk One,) plus other tracks that regularly turn up on the EMI label "best of" compilations.

This box set is broken down into three parts. The first CD focuses on Ike and Tina's career from the 1960s; the second disk is taken from the early 1970; and the third CD is derived from the 1969 album In Person, originally released on vinyl by Minit Records, which thankfully makes its first CD appearance here and it is arguably the highlight of this recording.

Breaking down the three disks into several different eras gives the entire set a cohesive storyline making all three CDs pleasantly listenable individually as well when played together. As Disk One is mostly early-on hardcore (no pun intended) and strong, driving, derivative Rhythm and Blues. The second disk is delightfully funky and much more sophisticated. The final live performance (Disk Three) shows off Ike and Tina's (particularly Tina's vocals and conversations with the audience) still-overwhelming, raw prowess, onstage power, and outstanding musicianship.

The completeness in conjunction with the fine effort made by those who assembled this entire three-CD set is as near as appropriate as the compilers could make it be. This is probably why The Ike & Tina Turner Story 1960-1975 could be the best all-time Ike and Tina collection yet assembled. Enjoy the fine groove!

Bob Putignano: www.SoundsofBlue.com