Along with his other original Goldwax LP, You Got My Mind Messed Up,
James Carr's Man Needs a Woman represents one of the high watermarks of Southern soul music. And beyond his tonal resemblance to
Otis Redding,
Carr was as distinct a voice as the genre ever produced. Compilations on both Kent (
Complete Goldwax Singles) and Razor & Tie (The Essential James Carr) are certainly good places to start, but this LP might be even a better introductory title, especially considering the likelihood one will want to obtain all of
Carr's prime late-'60s work. Whether
Carr revels in the up-tempo soul of "I'm a Fool for Your" or stops the presses on sanctified slow-burners like "You've Got My Mind Messed Up" and the
Dan Penn and Chips Moman-penned classic "Dark End of the Street," the intensity never falters. ~ Stephen Cook