Album: The Complete VeeJay Recordings

Overview
"The Complete Vee-Jay Recordings" is a two-disc CD collection released in 2007, showcasing the early recordings of the legendary musician, singer, and keyboardist Billy Preston. The album features songs recorded by Preston in the 1960s, during his time at Vee-Jay Records, an American record label well-known for introducing the careers of numerous popular R&B and jazz artists.

Billy Preston, also called the 'Fifth Beatle,' is understood for his deal with a few of the most prominent artists and bands of the 20th century, consisting of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Ray Charles. Nevertheless, this collection focuses on the earlier part of Preston's career when he was still developing his special sound and musical style.

A mix of different categories
One of the most striking elements of "The Complete Vee-Jay Recordings" is the varied range of musical impacts and categories. The compilation showcases Preston's adaptability as an artist, including elements of R&B, soul, jazz, blues, gospel, and doo-wop. Additionally, the album includes crucial tracks and covers of pop music of the period, such as "My Girl" by The Temptations and "Shotgun" by Junior Walker & the All Stars. It likewise makes up compositions by Preston himself, which display his raw skill and capacity as a songwriter.

The album also highlights Preston's prowess as a keyboardist, with tracks like "Slippin 'n' Slidin" and "Let Me Know" including remarkable and meaningful organ solos that demonstrate his effortless ability to convey feeling and energy through his playing.

Collaborations with other musical legends
"The Complete Vee-Jay Recordings" likewise includes cooperations with other well-known artists of the time, such as the popular soul singer Little Richard and prominent jazz saxophonist and bandleader King Curtis. These collaborations improve the album's overall sound and serve as a testament to Preston's capability to fit completely into various musical contexts, all while maintaining his unique design and distinct voice.

Among the standout duets on the album is "Do What You Want", an intense and energetic partnership with Little Richard that completely showcases both artists' individual styles and highlights their flawless chemistry and natural musical connection.

Exceptional organ playing
Preston's amazing organ playing is the shining star of "The Complete Vee-Jay Recordings", with almost every track featuring his hallmark dynamic and emotional Hammond B3 organ playing. His dynamic performances, identified by his special blend of gospel, blues, and jazz influences, produce a fascinating structure that ties the entire album together.

Tracks like "How Long Has The Train Been Gone" and "Greazee" are clear indicators of Preston's natural skill and extraordinary ability as an organist, foreshadowing his future successes and collaborations with some of the best and most influential artists in history.

Conclusion
"The Complete Vee-Jay Recordings" works as a wonderful audio time capsule, offering an extensive look at the early musical journey of Billy Preston. The diverse variety of songs, collaborations with other prominent artists, and the exhibition of his unrivaled talent on the organ make this album a necessary addition to the collection of any music enthusiast or fan of Preston's later work. It uses a special insight into the music of the 1960s and acts as a foundation for the future of Preston's tradition in modern-day music.