Sam & Dave - Southern Soul (2002)

This release from the English label Prism features latter-day, re-recorded versions of vintage Sam & Dave tracks, as well as a clutch of classic soul and R&B cuts. The set bears the infamous disclaimer "the tracks featured have been re-recorded by the original artists," which essentially means that what's inside will sound kind of like the original hits, but not enough to make you forget that they aren't. After all, it's unlikely that anyone could ever replicate the soul-soaked grit of Sam Moore and Dave Prater harmonizing over Booker T. & the MG's, and the gang of musicians here makes it obvious that they certainly can't. Rote versions of "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "Soul Man" are turned in, an ill-advised reading of "Wonderful World" slows things down, and "You Got Me Hummin'" is marred by an antiseptic backbeat. "Hold on I'm Comin'" (as it's billed here) ekes out a bit of that great Southern soul sound, but it's not nearly enough to save this collection, which banks on nostalgia saving it, instead of delivering solid performances.