Don't Play That Song!

by Ben E. King

Overview

Ben E. King's third album is a little short in running time but very high in quality, in terms of the dozen songs here. The title track was the selling point, but couldn't help but be seduced by the exquisite production of "Ecstasy" and "On the Horizon," the latter making about as fine use of harps and an ethereal chorus as one imagines possible -- and when the strings come in, violins and cellos alternately, the sheer beauty of the track just overflows. "Show Me the Way to Your Heart" isn't too far behind, and then "Stand by Me" shores up the opening of the second side -- not that anything here needed shoring up, but it's good that they got the single onto a long-player so it didn't go to waste. Even the lesser material, like "Here Comes the Night" and "First Taste of Love" (the latter a Jerry Leiber/Phil Spector song that bears an uncanny resemblance to Arthur Alexander's "You Better Move On"), is interesting to hear for the lively production. This album, like its predecessors, dates from a period in which producers and engineers were figuring out what one could do with soul and R&B in terms of engineering, and the sound separation and textures are nothing if not vibrant and alluring in their own right, separate from the music. ~ Bruce Eder

Product Details

Release Date:	09/08/2023
UPC:	9003829978438

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ben E. King   Primary Artist,Vocals
Romeo Penque   Flute
Lloyd Trotman   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Gary Chester   Drums
Moe Wechsler   Piano
Allen Hanlon   Guitar
Danny Kessler   Percussion
Phil Kraus   Percussion
Al Caiola   Guitar
George Duvivier   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Stan Applebaum   Conductor
Charles McCracken   Guitar
George Barnes   Guitar
Ernie Hayes   Piano

Technical Credits

Lover Patterson   Composer
Jerry Leiber   Composer,Producer
Romeo Penque   Group Member
Otis Blackwell   Composer
Jerry Weaver   Producer
Bob Roberts   Composer
Sam Rockwell   Composer
Mike Stoller   Composer,Producer
Mort Shuman   Composer
Ahmet Ertegun   Composer
Gerry Goffin   Composer
Phil Spector   Composer
Stan Applebaum   Arranger
Ruth Batchelor   Composer
Betty Nelson   Composer
Ben E. King   Composer
Doc Pomus   Composer
Carole King   Composer
Rockwell   Composer