Tyrone Davis

Born May 4, 1938 in Greenville, Mississippi, Tyrone Davis is considered the "king of romantic Chicago soul". The moved to Chicago in 1959, where he found work as a valet for bluesman Freddie King. Eventually, Davis began singing in clubs on the city's West and South Sides, and by 1965 he had signed to the Four Brothers label.. Three years later, Davis moved to producer Carl Davis' Dakar Records and earned his first hit, "Can I Change My Mind," when a local DJ played the B-side of his Dakar debut. The song went to Number One on the R&B charts, and hit the pop Top Five. In the Seventies, he scored other R&B chart-toppers with "Turn Back the Hands of Time" and "Turning Point" before switching to Columbia Records and discofying his soul. It was his smooth bedroom ballads like "In The Mood", however, that burned up the charts. Davis went onto record successfully on various labels like Ichiban and Malaco up to his death. He is one of the most imitated soul singers of the modern era.

Album Discography

"Can I Change My Mind" (Dakar 1969)

**** 1/2 This fantastic debut CD has his #1 signature title cut, plus "A Woman Was Made To Be Loved" & fine covers of "Slip Away", "Knock On Wood" & "She's Looking Good". Tracks: She's Looking Good/ Knock on Wood/ Have You Ever Wondered Why?/ Slip Away/ Let The Good Times Roll/ Can I Change My Mind// Open The Door To Your Heart/ Call on Me/ Just The one I've Been Looking For/ You Can't Keep A Good Man Down/ A Woman Needs To Be Loved

"Turn Back The Hands Of Time" (Dakar 1970)

***** Second album is even better with more hits. Not only do you get the immortal title cut (#1 R & B #3 Pop) but also the R & B smashes "Is It Something You've Got?" (#5 R & B #34 Pop), "Let Me Back In" (#8 R & B #53 Pop) & "I'll Be Right Here" (#12 R & B #58 Pop). You also get bluesy funk with "Undying Love" and a great slow ballad, "I Keep Coming Back." Tracks: Turn Back The Hands of Time/ The Waiting Was Not In Vain/ Let Me Back In/ Love Bones/ i'll Be Right Here// Something You've Got/ Undying Love/ Just Because of You/ If It's Love That You're After/ I Keep Coming Back

"I Had It All The Time" (Dakar 1972)

*** 1/2 More hits in the form of the title cut (#5 R & B #61 Pop), "Was I Just A Fool" (#26 R & B) & "Wrapped Up In Your Warm And Tender Love" (#19 R & B). Other great ones include "How Can I Forget You" & "After All This Time". Tracks: Your Love Keeps Haunting Me/ Was It Just A Feeling/ This Time/ How Could I Forget You/ After All This Time// Was I Just A Fool/ Come And Get This Ring/ You Wouldn't Believe/ I Had It All The Time

"Without You In My Life" (Dakar 1973)

*** 1/2 The string of amazing hits continues with "There It Is" (#9 R & B #32 Pop), "If You Had A Change In Mind" (#28 R & B), "Without You In My Life" (#5 R & B #64 Pop). There's also likable versions of Ollie & The Nightingale's "I Got A Sure Thing" & the modest "I'm Just Your Man". Tracks: Wrapped Up In Your Warm And Tender Love/ There It Is/ Without You In My Life/ You Wouldn't Believe/ I Had It All The Time// I Got A Sure Thing/ If You Had A Change In Mind/ True Love Is Hard To Find/ I'm Just Your Man/ Honey You Are My Sunshine

"It's All In The Game" (Dakar 1974)

**** Another hit-filled slice of smooth Chicago soul including "I Wish It Was Me" (#11 R & B #54 Pop), "What Goes Up (Must Come Down)" (#11 R & B #89 Pop) & "Happiness Is Being With You" (#27 R & B) plus the equally fine "It's All In The Game" & "I Can't Make It Without You" (#38 R & B). Tracks: Happiness Is Being With You/ I Wish lt Was Me/ I Can't Make It Without You/ I Wake Up Crying// Where Lovers Meet (At The Dark End Of The Street)/ You Don't Have To Beg Me To Stay/ What Goes Up (Must Come Down)/ There's Got To Be An Answer/ It's All in The Game

"Home Wrecker" (Dakar 1975)

*** 1/2 Tyrone was indomitable at this point churning out another stone classic with "Home Wreckers" (#36 R & B) & "It's So Good To Be Home With You" (#9 R & B) plus the smooth "It Ain't Me No More". Tracks: Homewreckers/ This Time/ is lt Something You've Got/ After All This Time/ Was I Just A Fool// lt Ain't Me No More/ I Got A Sure Thing/ You Don't Have To Beg Me To Stay/ A Woman Needs To Be Loved/ How Could I Forget You

"Turning Point" (Dakar 1976)

*** Final album for Dakar contains the classic title cut (#1 R & B) & "Everlovin Girl" (#38 R & B). Album has a definite disco influence as shown by "I Can't Bump Pts. 1 & 2". Tracks: it's So Good (To Be Home With You)/ Turning Point/ Forever/ I Can't Bump, pt.l/ Saving My Love For You// Ever Lovin' Girl/ Don't Let It Be Too Late/ I Can't Bump, pt.2/ Turn Back The Hands of Time

"Love And Touch" (CBS 1976)

*** Somewhat discofied soul album was one of his highest charting LPs (#12 R & B) and yielded the hits "Give It Up (Turn It Loose)" (#5 R & B #38 Pop) & "Close To You" (#33 R & B). Special mention must be made to the great "Wrong Doers" as well. TRACKS: Give It Up (Turn It Loose)/ Close To You/ Why Is It So Hard (To Say You're Sorry)/ You're Too Much/ / Put Your Trust In Me/ Givin' Myself To You/ Wrong oers/ Beware, Beware

"Let's Be Closer Together" (CBS 1977)

*** 1/2 Better than his first CBS album, "Closer" spawned two hits: "This I Swear" (#6 R & B) & "All You Got" (#32 R & B). Other keepers are "I Got Carried Away" and the title track is a slow burning classic. TRACKS: All You Got/ I Just Can't Keep On Going/ If That's What It Takes/ Playing In The Sand / This I Swear/ I Got Carried Away/ You Need Love/ Let's Be Closer Together

"I Can't Go On This Way" (Columbia 1978)

*** More of the same- discofied dancers and romantic ballads. Hits include the great "Can't Help But Say" (#65 R & B) & "Disco (Get On Up)". TRACKS: Get On Up (Disco)/ All I Ever Need/ Funky/ / I Can't Go On This Way/ Can't Help But Say/ It's You, It's You/ I'm Still In Love With You/ Do You Feel It

"In The Mood With Tyrone Davis" (Columbia 1979)

*** 1/2 His hit Columbia LP (charted #9 R & B) with the seductive, slinky "In The Mood" (#6 R & B), which became one of Tyrone's standards. Album also contained the hit "Ain't Nothing I Can Do" (#72 R & B), "All The Love I Need" & "I Can't Wait". TRACKS: In The Mood/ You Know What To Do/ I Can't Wait/ Keep On Dancin'/ / I Don't Think You Heard Me/ Ain't Nothing I Can Do/ All The Love I Need/ We Were In Love Then

"Can't You Tell It's Me" (Columbia 1979)

*** Hearty follow up contains the hits "Be With Me" (#37 R & B) & title track (#58 R & B). Another highlight is the enduring "Heart Failure", which he recorded several times.

"I Just Can't Keep On Going" (Columbia 1980)

** 1/2 This album contains the hit remake of the Marvin Gaye smash "How Sweet It Is (To be Loved By You)" (#36 R & B)

"Everything In Place" (Columbia 1981)

** 1/2 Final album for Columbia failed to chart though the single "Just My Luck" got some radio play.

"In The Mood: The Best Of" (Columbia 1996)

**** 1/2 The cream of his Columbia output featuring his smooth seductive slow jams and discofied southern soul: "This I Swear", "In The Mood", "Give IT Up (Turn It Loose)", "Let's Be Closer", "Close To Me" & more.

"Tyrone Davis" (Highrise 1982)

*** Sole album for Highrise contains some energetic dancers ("I'm So Excited") and a smooth slowie, "Are You Serious" (#3 R & B #58 Pop), which was his first song to reach the Pop chart since "Give It Up (Turn It Loose)"... and also his last. Another hit was "A Little Bit Of Loving (Goes A Long Way)" (#49 R & B).

"Something Good" (Ocean Front 1983)

**** Very strong album contains some of his very best post-Dakar material. "I Found Myself When I Lost You" (#38 R & B), "Let Me Be Your Pacifier" (#33 R & B) plus "You Stay On My Mind", "Be Honest With Me" & "All Because Of Your Love".

"Sexy Thing" (Future 1985)

** 1/2 More dance-inducing pop R & B/soul and ballads from the king of soul crooning contains a few remakes of songs that appeared before ("Overdue", "Be Honest With Me") plus the funky title cut.

"Pacifier" (Timeless 1987)

*** Compilation featuring some post-Columbia hits and misses: Turning Point/ Are You Serious/ Overdue/ You Can Win If You Want/ Be Honest With Me/ / Let Me Be Your Pacifier/ You Stay On My Mind/ Where Did We Lose/ One In A Million/ Sexy Thing/ More And More

"Man Of Stone" (Future 1987)

** 1/2 Second Future release contains the minor hit "I'm In Love Again" (#84 R & B)

"Flashin' Back" (Future 1988; 601 Music 1998))

*** 1/2 Poppy, energetic 80s hit album contained his last 3 charting singles: "Do You Feel It" (#54 R & B), "It Keeps On Flashin' Back" (#61 R & B) & "It's A Miracle" (#32 R & B)

"Come On Over" (Future 1990)

** Follow up did not chart and contains no remarkable songs other than a remake of "Heart Failure".

'The Best Of The Future Years" (Ichiban/Ryko 1992)

**** Some of his best 80s music collected here. Because most of his albums recently are uneven this brings most of the highlights into one consistent listen. Tracks: Do You Feel It/ It's A Miracle/ (It Keeps On) Flashin' Back/ Heart Failure/ Overdue/ Sexy Thing/ Come On Over/ Wrong Doers/ I'm So Excited/ Be Honest With Me/ You Stay On My Mind/ All Of Me

"I'll Always Love You" (Ichiban 1991)

*** Pretty good disc contains two Davis classics ("Mom's Apple Pie" & "I'll Always Love You") and the retro-disco "Prove My Love" is his best dancer since the 70s . The remainder of the album consists of competent retro-soul not that far removed from his Dakar years. The songs remain the same but the sound is contemporary.

"Something's Mighty Wrong" (Ichiban 1992)

** 1/2 Second Ichiban album contains the single "Running In And Out Of My Life" featuring an earnest, emotional vocal from the man. "Big Cat" has a pumping bass line, "Something's Mighty Wrong" is catchy uptempo soul as is Chuck Strong's "Don't Make Me Choose" & "Aint Gonna Get It" swings. Overproduced, however, as was most of his Ichiban output.

"You Stay On My Mind" (Ichiban 1994)

*** Another heavily-synthesized dance soul album with "You Stay On My Mind", "Let Me Be Your Pacifier", "I Found Myself When I Lost You" & "All Because Of Your Love".

"For The Good Times" (Bellmark 1994)

*** Solid album made up of new songs to Tyrone's canon ("You Made Me Beautiful", "Crossfire" & "My Place") and updates of some of his biggest hits ("Can I Change My Mind", "Turn Back The Hands Of Time", "It's So Good To Be Home With You"). Davis also does compelling versions of the classics "For The Good Times" and "I've Never Found A Girl".

"Simply Tyrone Davis" (Malaco 1996)

** 1/2 Tyrone signs with Malaco and instead of aiming for the contemporary R & B market he eases into a steady formula of mostly programmed soul music with each album producing it's share of southern soul chart hits. "Freak", "Please" & "Linger A Little Longer" are the most memorable. Tyrone Davis is a big star so it would be nice if he were served with a full band sound like a Little Milton.

"Pleasing You" (Malaco 1997)

** Mostly mediocre album with some good upbeat tunes ("U Should Be My Girl") and bedroom ballads ("Delicious") stymied by unimaginative programming. A couple of tracks sound like they were recorded with a toy Casio on a 4-track. Very frustrating considering you have a voice like Tyrone's to work with!

"Ladies Choice: The Dakar Recordings" (Demon 1998)

**** 1/2 63-track 3 disc box set of his Dakar years might be a little too much for some and the packaging is annoying. But the music? PRIMO!

"Call Tyrone" (Malaco 1999)

*** One of his strongest latter day discs includes the great "Call Tyrone", his best bedroom ballad since "In The Mood". The sugary "Ooh La La" is a smash midtempo head-bobber. One minor complaint, however. Tyrone sings "you're just like Janet Jackson" and follows that with "There's nobody like you". Isn't she "like" Janet Jackson? "Turn Back The Clock" could be a sequel to "Turn Back The Hands Of Time"? Despite the polished synthetic backdrop Tyrone still manages to make it soulful.

"Relaxin' With Tyrone" (Malaco 2000)

*** Three big southern soul hits this time, especially his definitive take on Ronnie Lovejoy's "Sho' Wasn't Me". Other keepers are the somewhat lecherous (older guy young girl) "Sugar Daddy" and sensual "Kiss You (Where I Miss You)". The plastic production is weak on Sly & The Family Stone's "Family Affair", however. Just as before Tyrone's timeless voice makes it all worthwhile.

"The Best Of" (Rhino 2002)

**** Reissue and compilation champs Rhino Records finally put together an single disc "best of" that includes material from most of his labels (There is no Malaco songs included). The reality is that a one disc retrospective is an impossible task on a career as long and as rich as Tyrone Davis. It spans from his very first single for the tiny Sack records, "I Tried It Over (And Over Again)," in 1967 to his '90s recordings for Ichiban. If you buy this disc you will end up buying a lot of Tyrone I promise. So it's a good commercial for his body of work.

"Love Line" (Malaco 2002)

*** 1/2 A high number of quality southern soul dancers like "I Hit The Jackpot", the funky "Po' House", plus a trio of vintage Tyrone seductive songs, "Love Line", "Tip Toe Through The Bedroom" & "Ring My Phone". Tyrone's voice is still sweet as honey and rich as molasses. This may be his finest Malaco release.

"Come To Daddy" (Future 2003)

**** I've come to accept it's unfair to continue comparing his often programmed latter day work with his organic Dakar period so it's wiser to measure his work with what's out there now in the Southern Soul world. With that said...this is very consistent, undeniably catchy programmed soul mostly written by Floyd Hamberlin & Paul Richmond. Top 10 southern soul chart hits are "Bangin' The Headboard" & "Come To Daddy". Other radio hits include "Tease" & "Slide On Over". His highest charting album since 1991 (#43 R & B).

"The Legendary Hall Of Famer" (End Zone 2004)

*** Final album released prior to his fatal stroke is a smooth, suave & slick bedroom soul album. Released on Willie Clayton's End Zone label, the album produced the Top 5 southern soul chart hit "Hot Spot". The title track- the intro- has a woman extolling the virtues of Mr. Davis over a jazzy cocktail backdrop. Plenty of sultry "In The Mood"-knockoffs are here, such as "Try My Love" & "Anyway". The shuffling "Get Your Groove On" is a good contender for a single. Overall this project suffers because of the redundancy of the programming and not enough dancers but Tyrone's singing and the consistent flow of the disc puts it over.

"Dakar Hit Singles A's & B's" (Edsel 2004)

***** Essential 2 disc 48-track collection of all his Dakar Records singles and their B-Sides. All The hits from "Can I Change My Mind" to "Everlovin' Girl".