William Bell - Relating 1974

 Bell's final Stax LP was, other than a couple of bright spots, blandly sentimental mid-'70s sweet soul. It had more of an Al Green-Hi Records influence than other Bell Stax releases, due in all probability to the contribution of horn arrangements and backup vocals by musicians who were also involved in Hi sessions. There was also co-production by Booker T. & the MG's drummer Al Jackson Jr., who was doing a lot of work for Hi at the time; Jackson and MG's bassist Duck Dunn also play on the record. There were a few low-charting R&B singles on the disc -- "I've Got to Go on Without You," "Lovin' on Borrowed Time," and "Gettin' What You Want (Losin' What You Got)." None particularly deserved to do better, though "Gettin' What You Want" is a decent midtempo ballad. Actually, the star cut is "Nobody Walks Away from Love Unhurt," with its pin-prick, bluesy guitar licks. The album is now available as part of a reissue that combines Relating and Bell's previous Stax LP, 1973's Phases of Reality, onto a single CD.