"Wicked" Wilson Pickett reached the pinnacle of his success with this classic album of Southern soul. After a few unsuccessful singles, Atlantic president Jerry Wexler decided to bring him down to Stax Studios in Memphis to record with his former Falcons bandmate Eddie Floyd and guitarist Steve Cropper. With Booker T. & the MG's as his backing band, Pickett was able to let loose and find his groove. By the end of the year, Stax president Jim Stewart would ban all outside productions over royalty issues. The rest of the album was recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama at Rick Hall's Fame Studios. 'The Exciting Wilson Pickett' was huge, with four singles hitting on both the R&B and pop charts.
Recorded at Fame Studios, 'Land of 1000 Dances' became Pickett's biggest hit, making it to number six on the pop chart, becoming his third R&B number one, and selling over a million copies. It was written by Chris Kenner, although Fats Domino was given a songwriting credit in exchange for recording the song. Cannibal & The Headhunters added the "na na-na-na-na" section when their lead singer forgot the words.
"Got to know how to pony
Like Bony Maronie
Mash potato, do the alligator
Put your hand on your hips, yeah
Let your backbone slip
Do the Watusi
Like my little Lucy
Hey! Uh!
Na na-na-na-na na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na na-na-na-na "
The classic 'In The Midnight Hour' was one of the first songs Pickett recorded at Stax. It became the centerpiece (and title) of his previous album; but fits better on this album. It was written by Pickett and Steve "The Colonel" Cropper at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. It peaked at number twenty one on the pop chart; but was a number one R&B hit in 1965.
"I'm gonna wait 'til stars come out
And see that twinkle in your eyes.
I'm gonna wait 'til the midnight hour
That's when my love begins to shine."
'634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)' was written by Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper, inspired by the Marvelletes' 'Beechwood 4-5789'. Wilson did not like the song and fought with Floyd and Wexler at Stax Studio over recording it. His bluesy rendition made it to number thirteen on the pop chart and held the number one spot on the R&B chart for seven weeks.
"If you need a little lovin'
Call on me all right
If you want a little huggin'
Call on me baby, mmmmmm
Oh I'll be right here at home"
Also recorded at the Stax sessions, 'Ninety-nine and a Half (Won't Do)' features Isaac Hayes on piano. Pickett wrote it with Cropper and Floyd. The single peaked at number fifty three on the pop chart and number thirteen on the R&B.
"I got to have all your love, night and day
Not just a little part, but all of your heart, sugar"
'It's All Over' was written by Pickett and Cropper. A deep album cut that showcases "Wicked" Pickett's amazing voice.
'The Exciting Wilson Pickett'
full album:
"Land of 1000 Dances" (Chris Kenner) – 2:28
"Something You Got" (Kenner) – 2:58
"634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)" (Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd) – 3:00
"Barefootin'" (Robert Parker) – 2:22
"Mercy Mercy" (Don Covay, Ronald Dean Miller) – 2:30
"You're So Fine" (Lance Finney, Willie Schofield, Bob West) – 2:38
"In the Midnight Hour" (Cropper, Wilson Pickett) – 2:36
"Ninety-nine and a Half (Won't Do)" (Cropper, Floyd, Pickett) – 2:44
"Danger Zone" (Cropper, Pickett) – 2:12
"I'm Drifting" (Homer Banks, Pickett, David Porter) – 2:54
"It's All Over" (Cropper, Pickett) – 2:21
"She's So Good to Me" (Bobby Womack) – 2:17
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