Don't Play Me Cheap

First vinyl reissue of Ike & Tina Turner's 1963 album Don't Play Me Cheap. There has never been a team quite like Sue Records' Ike and Tina Turner, and now, making the vocal solo scene, Tina proves herself a performer and show-woman nonpareil. Aided by the fine hand of hubby Ike, who stays to cleft some of the numbers and play the guitar and piano in fine style, Tina applies her pulsating rhythm sense to up tempo tunes with devastating effect. Then she turns around (and around) and croons a love ballad with an earthy, emotional feel that leaves the listener humble with admiration. So listen to Tina's driving renditions of 'Wake Up,' 'Mama Tell Him' and 'I Made a Promise Up Above' plus her rock-a-ballad versions of 'Don't Play Me Cheap,' 'Pretend,' 'Look Through Me,' 'Forever Mine' and 'My Everything to Me.' These songs were inspired choices to bring out Tina's rare ability to be equally at home with a shouting, screaming pulser, or a tender ballad that gives her a chance to show off her more gentle, kittenish side. As a nightclub attraction Ike and Tina have wowed em' from coast to coast, and as recording stars they have no peers. And Tina's dynamic performance in this her latest Sue album firmly places the attractive, shapely star in the annals of all-time great disk stars. -original liner notes