William Bell
The Soul Of A Bell
Play The Soul Of A Bell
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MOG Editorial Review
Widely considered to be one of Stax Records' most important artists on a variety of levels, William Bell showed off his talent as both an singer and songwriter on Soul of a Bell, his 1967 debut. Kicking off with a set of ballads, Bell immediately makes it known that he contains a serious set of pipes on "You Don't Miss Your Water," all while creating a gritty, mournful sound that Stax would become known for in the years surrounding its release. Likewise, livelier numbers like "Eloise (Hang on in There)" and "Private Number" showcase the funky side of Stax, and the latter also remind us that he originally wrote and sang what would eventually become a Chuck Jackson hit. While plenty of his notable work came behind the scenes, William Bell had plenty of memorable moments front and center starting with this album.
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AMG Review of Soul of a Bell
Alex Henderson
All Music GuideWilliam Bell's history illustrates just how singles-oriented soul was in the 1960s. Though he'd enjoyed a hit in 1961 with "You Don't Miss Your Water," it wasn't until 1967 that Stax finally released his first album, the magnificent The Soul of a Bell. From that classic and Bell's moderate hits "Never Like This Before" and "Everybody Loves A Winner" to heartfelt versions of "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" and "I've Been Loving You Too Long," everything on this album (reissued on CD in 1991) illustrates the gospel-drenched richness of Southern soul. Meanwhile, the influence of Motown and the Four Tops is hard to miss on the riveting single "Eloise (Hang On In There)," which should have been a major hit, but surprisingly, never even charted. The 2002 CD reissue adds alternate versions of "You Don't Miss Your Water" and "Any Other Way".
 "The Soul Of A Bell")
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- Release Date 2009
- Label Warner Strategic Marketing
- Genre Pop
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