Narvel Felts

• Narvel Felts [ABC/Dot, 1975] B+
• Greatest Hits Volume 1 [ABC/Dot, 1975] C+

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Narvel Felts [ABC/Dot, 1975]
An r&b singer on the country side of the fence, Narvel recalls Roy Orbison (they both worked for Sun) or Ferlin Husky at the fountain of youth. Wotta voice--he even does "Gone." It should go without saying that I love sexy r&b covers like "Slip Away" and "Honey Love" and filthy-minded country originals like "Let My Fingers Do the Walking." But even when he's maudlin and self-involved I get off some on his naked, nasal emotion. Sometimes I like the country side of the fence myself. B+

Greatest Hits Volume 1 [ABC/Dot, 1975]
In the wake of "Reconsider Me" I consider Narvel a marvel myself, but it's hard to believe this compilation from his precrossover days hit very big anywhere. For authenticity we have four tunes from Nashville hacks Jack Foster and Bill Rice. And for eccentricity we have "Love Me Like a Rock." C+