Brook Benton - "Lie to Me" (Original Recording)

Many of Brook Benton's hit records are marred by dated arrangements and painfully shrill backing vocals. Benton was no slouch as a blues compositionist, however, writing Bobby Bland's "I'll Take Care of You" and co-authoring this number with Margie Singleton from the Merry Melody Singers. Thankfully, the backing vocals on "Lie to Me" (Mercury, 1962) are discreet, and Benton is backed by a host of all-star Nashville session musicians. I'm not a huge fan of electric blues (I prefer the acoustic stuff from the '20s and '30s), but this is an absolutely perfect song that everyone should hear.

Brook Benton - lead vocal / Harold Bradley - guitar / Bob Moore - bass / Hargus "Pig" Robbins - piano / Buddy Harman - drums / Charlie McCoy - harmonica / Merry Melody Singers - backing vocals

Produced by Shelby Singleton