What Is Soul?

by Ben E. King

What Is Soul? cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 1967
  • Label: Atco
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 31:21
  • Community rating: 3.78/5 from 4 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Attempting to reassert his dominance in a rapidly evolving R&B landscape, Ben E. King updates his smooth, orchestral style with gritty, Southern soul textures. 'What Is Soul?' balances the polished, Brill Building pop-soul of his early solo career with the harder, deeply rhythmic grooves coming out of Memphis studios. The album showcases his remarkably expressive, velvety baritone navigating a crucial transitional era in African American pop music.

Genres

Descriptors: soulful, male-vocals, orchestral, ballad, fast, vocal, belting, rhythmic

Tracklist

  1. The Record (Baby I Love You) (2:31)
  2. She's Gone Again (2:27)
  3. There's No Place to Hide (2:39)
  4. Cry No More (2:52)
  5. Goodnight My Love, Pleasant Dreams (2:38)
  6. Katherine (2:50)
  7. I Can't Break the News to Myself (2:31)
  8. I Swear by the Stars Above (2:43)
  9. Get in a Hurry (2:59)
  10. They Don't Give Medals to Yesterday's Heroes (2:32)
  11. Teeny Wheeny Little Bit (2:18)
  12. What Is Soul? (2:14)

Credits

  • Ben E. King - primary artist, written-by
  • Arthur Resnick - written-by
  • Kenny Young - written-by
  • Helen Miller - written-by
  • Roger Atkins - written-by
  • Bert Berns - written-by
  • Jerry Ragovoy - written-by
  • George Motola - written-by
  • John Marascalco - Written-By
  • Bob Gallo - Written-By
  • Jimmy Williams - Written-By
  • Larry Harrison - Written-By
  • J.R. Bailey - Written-By
  • Johnny Northern - Written-By
  • Joe Simon - Written-By
  • Bacharach And David - Written-By

More from Ben E. King: full discography