Be True to Yourself: Anthology 1965-1973 (2004)

About this title: Alton Ellis created a template in the 1960s that subsequent Jamaican singers like Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs would follow to a T, combining soulful vocal phrasing, derived in part from American R&B, with hard island rhythms and a bent for romantic material into a surefire way to keep a presence on the charts. Although he is often celebrated for his subtle Jamaican interpretations of American pop hits (which often improved on the originals, as is the case here with Ellis' version of Chuck Jackson's "Willow Tree"), it is startling to realize how many of the best songs on this two-disc, 56 ... read more

Tracks:

1. Something You've Got [Kenner/Domino]
2. Dancer Crasher [Ellis]
3. Don't Trouble People [Ellis]
4. The Preacher [Ellis]
5. Blessings of Love [Ellis]
6. Shake It [Ellis]
7. (Girl) I've Got a Date [Ellis]
8. How Can I [Ellis]
9. Cry Tough [Ellis/Jarrett]
10. Rock Steady [Ellis]
11. Duke of Earl [Edwards/Dixon/Willi]
12. All My Tears (Come Rolling) [Ellis]
13. Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One) [Banks/Jones]
14. Why Birds Follow Spring [Ellis]
15. If I Could Rule This World [Ellis]
16. Oowee Baby (Baby I Love You) [Ellis/Reid]
17. My Willow Tree [Dixon/Elgin/Rogers]
18. I Can't Stop Now [Ellis]
19. Why Did You Leave Me [Sibbles/Llewellyn]
20. I Can't Stand It [Ellis]
21. My Time Is the Right Time [Ellis]
22. Bye Bye Love [Bryant/Bryant]
23. Tonight (AKA Feeling Inside) [Ellis]
24. Give Me Your Love [Ellis]
25. Keep on Yearning [Ellis]
26. La la Means I Love You [Bell/Hart]
27. If I Had the Right [Ellis]
28. Breaking Up [Ellis]
29. Diana [Anka]
30. Remember That Sunday [Ellis]
31. What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) [Fuqua/Bullock]
32. You Made Me So Very Happy [Gordy/Davis/Wilson/]
33. Black Man's World (AKA Black Man, White Man) [Ellis/Reid]
34. I'll Be Waiting [Ellis]
35. It's Your Thing [Isley]
36. Lord Deliver Us [Ellis]
37. Back to Africa [Ellis]
38. Wide World [Ellis]
39. You Said It Again (AKA I'll Make It Up to You) [Ellis]
40. Working on a Groovy Thing [Sedaka/Atkins]
41. Hey World [Ellis]
42. True Born African [Jarrett]
43. (If I) Don't Care [Ellis]
44. Harder and Harder [Ellis]
45. Play It Cool (aka Rock on Time) [Ellis]
46. Be True (To Yourself) [Gaby]
47. (Baby) I'm Trying [Ellis]
48. Wonderful World [Ellis]
49. Big Bad Boy [Ellis]
50. You Are Mine [Ellis]
51. All That We Need Is Love [Ellis]
52. (I Don't Know Why) Truly [Ellis]
53. Alphabetically Yours [Kaye/Wise/Lippman]
54. I See My Future in You [Ellis]
55. Alton's Official Daughter [Ellis]
56. Better Get Your Heads Together (AKA I'll Take Your Hand) [Ellis]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.