O.V. Wright - A Box of O.V. [1964-1981] (12 x CDs)

O.V. WRIGHT

O.V. Wright - A Box of O.V. [1964-1981] (12 x CDs)

Overton Vertis Wright (October 9, 1939 – November 16, 1980) was an American singer who is generally regarded as a blues artist by African American fans in the Deep South; he is also regarded as one of Southern soul's most authoritative and individual artists.

Born in Lenow, Tennessee, Wright began singing in the church as a youngster. In 1956, while still in high school, he joined The Sunset Travelers as one of the lead singers of the gospel group. He later fronted a gospel music group, the Harmony Echoes. It was during this time that he was discovered (along with James Carr) by Roosevelt Jamison, a songwriter and manager. Their first pop recording in 1964 was "That's How Strong My Love Is," a ballad later covered by Otis Redding and the Rolling Stones. It was issued on Goldwax, the label Wright signed to after leaving his gospel career. It was later determined that Don Robey still had him under a recording contract, due to his gospel group having recorded for Peacock. After his contract was shifted to Don Robey's Back Beat label, further R&B hits followed. Working with record producer Willie Mitchell, success continued on songs including "Ace of Spades" and "A Nickel and a Nail".

Wright's hits were much more popular in the deep South. His biggest hits were "You're Gonna Make Me Cry" (R&B #6, 1965), "Eight Men, Four Women" (R&B #4, 1967) "Ace of Spades" (R&B #11, 1970), "A Nickel and a Nail" (R&B #19, 1971). The remainder of his 17 hits charted no higher than #20 on the R&B chart.

Wright was imprisoned for narcotics offenses during the mid-1970s, and, despite a new recording contract with Hi Records that led to a series of new album releases, commercial success did not follow his release from incarceration. Wright continued to battle drug addiction in the last years of his life, and in 1980, he died from a heart attack in Mobile, Alabama, at the age of 41.

Wright is among the most remembered voices of soul music, perhaps mostly for being sampled frequently in hip hop music. 

Wright has been a big influence on many soul and blues singers, including Robert Cray, Otis Clay, Taj Mahal as well as young soul singer Reggie Sears, among many others.

Johnny Rawls joined Wright's backing band in the mid-1970s, and played together with Wright until the latter's death in 1980. The band then continued billed as the O.V. Wright Band for another 13 years, and toured and performed with other musicians over this time span. These included B.B. King, Little Milton, Bobby Bland, Little Johnny Taylor, and Blues Boy Willie.

He is a 2024 inductee to the Blues Foundation's Blues Hall of Fame. (Wikipedia)

Included in this box are the following:

Sunset Travelers - On Jesus' Program [1964]

O.V. Wright on lead vocals for most of the time.

O.V. Wright ‎- (If It Is) Only For Tonight [1965]

O.V. Wright – O.V. Box [1990]

8 men And 4 Women

Nucleus Of Soul

A Nickel And A Nail And Ace Of Spades

Memphis Unlimited

Treasured Moments - 45's Special Collection

O.V. Wright - The Complete O.V.Wright on HI Records Vol.1, In The Studio [1999]

Contains all three O.V. Wright releases on Hi Records, "Into Something (Can't Shake Loose)[1977]", "The Bottom Line" [1978] and "We're Still Together" [1979], plus 4 extra tracks.

O.V. Wright - The Complete O.V.Wright on HI Records Vol.2, On Stage,Live In Japan [1999] Recorded Live at Nakano Sun Plaza Hall, Tokyo on September 17, 1979, and Shibuya Kokaido, Tokyo on September 29, 1979, with Hi Records' studio rhythm team of The Hodges Brothers, horn section and drummer Howard Grimes.

O.V. Wright & The Luckett Brothers - Four & Twenty Elders [1981]

 O.V. Wright's last recordings, Recorded at Woodland Sound Studios, Nashville, Tenn.

O.V. Wright, a soulful crooner, is renowned for his emotive and powerful performances. His music, a blend of gospel-infused southern soul and blues, is encapsulated in this comprehensive box set.

The journey begins with his 1964 album, Sunset Travelers - On Jesus' Program [1964]. It is is a significant addition to this collection. This album is a powerful testament to the group’s gospel roots, with O.V. Wright’s soulful voice leading the charge. Wright’s ability to convey deep emotion and spirituality through his music, the intensity of the music is such that it transcends religious boundaries, appealing to all listeners regardless of their beliefs.  This album not only highlights Wright’s gospel roots but also his transition into soul music, making it a crucial part of his musical journey. The inclusion of “On Jesus’ Program” enriches this box set, providing a complete picture of O.V. Wright’s musical evolution. 

It’s a treasure for any music enthusiast, offering a unique insight into the soul of this remarkable artist and is followed by his 1965 album, “(If It Is) Only For Tonight”, where Wright’s raw and passionate vocals first captured audiences. The 1990’s O.V. Box series showcases his versatility, from the poignant “8 Men and 4 Women” to the soulful rhythms of “Nucleus Of Soul”. The series continues with the gritty “A Nickel And A Nail And Ace Of Spades”, the vibrant “Memphis Unlimited”, and culminates in the “Treasured Moment, 45’s Special Collection”, a testament to his enduring appeal.

“The Soul Of O.V. Wright” (1992) further cements his legacy, while “The Complete O.V.Wright On Hi Records Vol.1, In The Studio” (1999) offers an intimate look at his creative process. The live energy of Wright is captured in “Vol.2, On Stage, Live In Japan 1979”.

The collection concludes with “Four & Twenty Elders” (1981), a collaboration with The Luckett Brothers, again highlighting Wright’s gospel roots. This box set is a journey through the soulful world of O.V. Wright, a true musical treasure. (B)

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Track lists

Sunset Travelers - On Jesus' Program [1964]

01 Sunset Travelers - On Jesus Program 3:05

02 Sunset Travelers - Hide Me In Your Bosom 2:38

03 Sunset Travelers - I Made It Over 2:45

04 Sunset Travelers - Looking For A Better Place 2:26

05 Sunset Travelers - What Do You Think About Jesus? 1:38

06 Sunset Travelers - Have You Ever Been Touched? 3:13

07 Sunset Travelers - Another Day Lost 1:35

08 Sunset Travelers - Wonderful Jesus 2:50

09 Sunset Travelers - When Jesus Comes 2:32

10 Sunset Travelers - My Trouble Is Hard 2:25

11 Sunset Travelers - You'll Never Know 2:26

12 Sunset Travelers - Ain't That Good News 2:35

(If It Is) Only For Tonight - [1965]

01 O.V. Wright - If It's Only For Tonight 2:48

02 O.V. Wright - Why Don't You Believe Me 2:34

03 O.V. Wright - Can't Find True Love 2:24

04 O.V. Wright - Motherless Child 2:34

05 O.V. Wright - You've Been Crying 2:48

06 O.V. Wright - I Could Write A Book 2:52

07 O.V. Wright - You're Gonna Make Me Cry 3:23

08 O.V. Wright - Wish I Were That Boy 2:52

09 O.V. Wright - Monkey Dog 2:24

10 O.V. Wright - Don't Want To Sit Down 2:05

11 O.V. Wright - Everybody Knows 3:02

12 O.V. Wright - I Can't Believe 2:15

O.V. Box CD1 8 Men and 4 Women

01 O.V. Wright - Eight Men And Four Women 3:07

02 O.V. Wright - Why Don't You Believe Me 2:34

03 O.V. Wright - Can't Find True Love 2:24

04 O.V. Wright - Don't Want To Sit Down 2:05

05 O.V. Wright - Everybody Knows 3:02

06 O.V. Wright - I Could Write A Book 2:52

07 O.V. Wright - Wish I Were That Boy 2:52

08 O.V. Wright - Bachelor's Blues 2:48

09 O.V. Wright - You're Gonna Make Me Cry 3:23

10 O.V. Wright - Monkey Dog 2:23

11 O.V. Wright - You've Been Crying 2:48

12 O.V. Wright - I Can't Believe 2:15

13 O.V. Wright - Motherless Child 2:34

14 O.V. Wright - If It's Only For Tonight 2:48

O.V. Box CD2 Nucleus Of Soul

01 O.V. Wright - Blowing In The Wind 2:31

02 O.V. Wright - Gonna Forget About You 2:14

03 O.V. Wright - I Have None 2:13

04 O.V. Wright - You're So Good To Me 2:19

05 O.V. Wright - Why Don't Give Me A Chance 2:47

06 O.V. Wright - Pledging My Love 2:31

07 O.V. Wright - This Hurt Is Real 3:22

08 O.V. Wright - I'll Hate Myself Tomorrow 2:30

09 O.V. Wright - I'll Take Care Of You 3:13

10 O.V. Wright - I Want Everyone To Know 2:46

11 O.V. Wright - Poor Boy 2:26

12 O.V. Wright - I'm In Your Corner 2:17

13 O.V. Wright - Gone For Good 2:41

14 O.V. Wright - How Long Baby 2:22

O.V. Box CD3 A Nickel And A Nail And Ace Of Spades

01 O.V. Wright - Don't Let My Baby Ride 3:05

02 O.V. Wright - Born All Over 3:21

03 O.V. Wright - Ace Of Spade 2:25

04 O.V. Wright - Eight Men, Four Women 3:00

05 O.V. Wright - He Made Woman For Man 3:10

06 O.V. Wright - I Can't Take It 3:13

07 O.V. Wright - Afflicted 3:47

08 O.V. Wright - When You Took Your Love From Me 3:07

09 O.V. Wright - A Nickel And A Nail 3:44

10 O.V. Wright - Don't Take It Away 4:03

11 O.V. Wright - Ace Of Spades (Alt. Take 1) 2:22

12 O.V. Wright - Ace Of Spades (Alt. Take 2) 2:08

13 O.V. Wright - Ace Of Spades (Melvin Carter) 2:14

O.V. Box CD4 Memphis Unlimited

01 O.V. Wright - I've Been Seaching 2:39

02 O.V. Wright - Nothing Comes To A Sleeper 3:20

03 O.V. Wright - The Only Thing That Saved Me 2:36

04 O.V. Wright - He's My Son (Just The Same) 2:52

05 O.V. Wright - You Must Believe In Yourself 2:45

06 O.V. Wright - Lost In The Shuffle 3:31

07 O.V. Wright - I'd Rather Be Blind, Cripple, And Crazy 2:46

08 O.V. Wright - Please Forgive Me 4:08

09 O.V. Wright - Are You Going Where I'm Coming From 3:13

10 O.V. Wright - Ghetto Child 3:34

11 O.V. Wright - Memory Blues 3:35

12 O.V. Wright - I'm Going Home (To Live With God) 2:43

O.V. Box CD5 Treasured Moment, 45's Special Collection

01 O.V. Wright - That's How Strong My Love Is 3:00

02 O.V. Wright - There Goes My Used To Be 2:54

03 O.V. Wright - Fed Up With Blues 2:12

04 O.V. Wright - Treasured Moments 2:01

05 O.V. Wright - Heataches, Heartaches 2:55

06 O.V. Wright - What About You 2:38

07 O.V. Wright - What Did You Tell This Girl Of Mine 2:44

08 O.V. Wright - What Did You Tell This Girl Of Mine (Alt. Take) 2:52

09 O.V. Wright - Oh Baby Mine 2:22

10 O.V. Wright - Working For Game 2:10

11 O.V. Wright - Missing You 2:35

12 O.V. Wright - Love The Way You Love 2:30

13 O.V. Wright - Drowning On Dry Land 2:39

14 O.V. Wright - What More Can I Do 3:02

15 O.V. Wright - Henpecked Man 3:07

16 O.V. Wright - Nobody But You 2:49

17 O.V. Wright - Slow And Easy 3:23

18 O.V. Wright - Without You 4:37

The Soul Of O.V. Wright

01 O.V. Wright - You're Gonna Make Me Cry 3:24

02 O.V. Wright - I'd Rather Be Blind, Crippled And Crazy 2:46

03 O.V. Wright - When You Took Your Love From Me 3:07

04 O.V. Wright - Gonna Forget About You 2:14

05 O.V. Wright - Everybody Knows (The River Song) 3:02

06 O.V. Wright - Don't Let My Baby Ride 3:04

07 O.V. Wright - I Don't Want To Sit Down 2:04

08 O.V. Wright - Born All Over 3:20

09 O.V. Wright - Ace Of Spades 2:23

10 O.V. Wright - Eight Men, Four Women 3:06

11 O.V. Wright - A Nickel And A Nail 3:45

12 O.V. Wright - Heartaches, Heartaches 2:56

13 O.V. Wright - Drowning On Dry Land 2:55

14 O.V. Wright - Monkey Dog 2:23

15 O.V. Wright - He's My Son (Just The Same) 2:49

16 O.V. Wright - I've Been Searching 2:39

17 O.V. Wright - Motherless Child 2:34

18 O.V. Wright - I'm Going Home (To Live With God) 2:44

The Complete O.V.Wright On Hi Records Vol.1, In The Studio CD1

01 O.V. Wright - Rhymes 3:23

02 O.V. Wright - Without You 4:35

03 O.V. Wright - Into Something (Can't Shake Loose) 4:24

04 O.V. Wright - I Feel Love Growin' 3:49

05 O.V. Wright - Precious, Precious 3:33

06 O.V. Wright - The Time We Have 2:58

07 O.V. Wright - You Gotta Have Love 3:04

08 O.V. Wright - Trying To Live My Life Without You 2:40

09 O.V. Wright - Medley- A)God Blessed Our Love, B) When A Man Loves A Woman, C) That's How Strong My Love Is 12:49

10 O.V. Wright - The Bottom Line 3:07

11 O.V. Wright - I Don't Do Windows 2:20

12 O.V. Wright - That's The Way I Fell About Cha' 4:27

13 O.V. Wright - Your Good Thing Is About To End 4:58

14 O.V. Wright - Let's Straighten It Out 3:51

15 O.V. Wright - I Don't Know Why 3:17

16 O.V. Wright - No Easy Way To Say Goodbye 3:58

17 O.V. Wright - A Little More Time 5:21

18 O.V. Wright - Since You Left These Arms Of Mine 3:39

19 O.V. Wright - A Long Road 2:30

The Complete O.V.Wright On Hi Records Vol.1, In The Studio CD2

01 O.V. Wright - We're Still Together 3:46

02 O.V. Wright - I Found Peace 4:12

03 O.V. Wright - It's Cold Without Your Love 3:41

04 O.V. Wright - Baby Baby Baby 3:28

05 O.V. Wright - I'm Gonna Stay 3:22

06 O.V. Wright - The Hurt Is On 5:12

07 O.V. Wright - Today I Sing The Blues 4:45

08 O.V. Wright - Mirror Of My Soul 4:30

09 O.V. Wright - Sacrifice 4:31

10 O.V. Wright - A Fool Can't See The Light 2:47

11 O.V. Wright - I'm Gonna Be A Big Man Someday 2:17

The Complete O.V.Wright On Hi Records Vol.2, On Stage, Live In Japan 1979

01 O.V. Wright - I'd Rather Be Blind, Crippled And Crazy 5:00

02 O.V. Wright - Ace Of Spades 4:09

03 O.V. Wright - Eight Men, Four Women 4:29

04 O.V. Wright - Precious, Precious 6:35

05 O.V. Wright - Love And Happiness 6:59

06 O.V. Wright - Medley 15:48

07 O.V. Wright - Into Something (Can't Shake Loose) 7:45

Four & Twenty Elders

01 O.V. Wright & The Luckett Brothers - Four And Twenty Elders 3:09

02 O.V. Wright & The Luckett Brothers - Jesus And Me 2:20

03 O.V. Wright & The Luckett Brothers - Give An Account 3:19

04 O.V. Wright & The Luckett Brothers - There's A God Somewhere 5:19

05 O.V. Wright & The Luckett Brothers - Stand Up And Testify 2:32

06 O.V. Wright & The Luckett Brothers - Thank You For The Sunshine 4:38

07 O.V. Wright & The Luckett Brothers - He'll Understand And Say Well Done 3:08

08 O.V. Wright & The Luckett Brothers - Walk On And Have A Little Faith 4:16

09 O.V. Wright & The Luckett Brothers - Said He Would (Make Up My Dyin' Bed) 2:33

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