5 Royales - It's Hard But Fair-The King Hits And Royalties. CD. (Ace Records - CDCHD103) Long awaited and finally available, a compilation (26 tracks) for the first time together on the same CD, of this seminal 50s R'n'B (original meaning of the term, folks) combo led by vocal genius Johnny Tanner and guitarist Lowman Pauling. Influenced just as much by gospel as by the blues, their own influence itself spilled into soul and laid the foundations for over a quarter of the 60s' best music. Steve Cropper of the MGs was Pauling's greatest aficionado; only befitting then that he should have written some of the sleevenotes, alongside Billy Vera. All of their King hits are here, including 'Think' and 'Dedicated To The One I Love' and we all know how famous they became in the hands of others (just don't dare mention Twatty McLean round here!). Several of these tracks have never been reissued anywhere, but there's no excuse for not owning them now.

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