AMG Review of Best of Candi Staton [Warner Archives]

Bil Carpenter
All Music Guide

A long-overdue compilation of the soul siren's best-known '70s dance hits, featuring "Victim," "When You Wake Up Tomorrow," "Run to Me," and her signature tune "Young Hearts Run Free." Also included on the 14-song set is a previously unissued Southern soul ballad entitled "He's Making Love to You (But He's Thinking of Me)." The set also features four of Staton's last recordings with renowned soul producer Rick Hall on the erotic "As Long as He Takes Care of Home" and the torchlike "Here I Am Again" ballad. The set is rounded out with lesser-known dance tracks and album tracks from between 1974 and 1980, such as the quiet storm ballads "One More Chance on Love" and "Halfway to Heaven." The album closes with a very traditional, almost a cappella reading of "Precious Lord" with just piano and background singers.