Title: Al Wilson - Show And Tell Year/Genre/Sub-Genre/City: 1973, Soul, R&B, Smooth Soul, San Bernardino, California 9/26 Matrix #: RR 3601 Condition: VG+, 1st mono pressing (LM) | Cover: VG to VG+, cut corner | Members: Al W (39' - 08') | Producer: Jerry Fuller Cultural Facts:
Church to California: Al Wilson was born in Meridian, Mississippi and sang in church as a child before moving west to California. He eventually settled in the San Bernardino area, where the combination of gospel roots and the Southern California soul scene shaped the singer he became.
Second Chance Song: "Show and Tell" was written by producer Jerry Fuller and had already been recorded by Johnny Mathis before Wilson cut it. Wilson's version completely transformed the song's fate, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1974 and becoming the record most closely associated with him.
Long Road to the Hit: Wilson had been recording for years before Show And Tell finally gave him a massive crossover success. His earlier career included the 1968 hit "The Snake," but he continued grinding through changing labels and uneven commercial fortunes until this album pushed him into the national spotlight.
