The Love You Save

by Mark Deming Joe Tex was at the top of his game as the down-home philosopher of Southern soul when he cut The Love You Save, one of three (!) albums Tex would release in 1966. Tex's warm and passionate tenor is in superb form on these tunes, and his songs, which offer plenty of advice on keeping your relationship in good shape ( "Build Your Love (On A Solid Foundation)"), keeping up with the Joneses ( "Funny Bone"), understanding what you want out of life ( "I'm A Man"), and various other topics of importance, are solid, funny, and bear the sing of truth. Buddy Killen's production is the perfect marriage of deep South vibe and East coast polish, and all twelve songs hit the bullseye (including an idiosyncratic but beautifully executed cover of "Heartbreak Hotel". Great stuff that any fan of Southern soul should have on their want list.