The Prime of Shorty Long

The Prime of Shorty Long is a 1969 studio album by American rhythm and blues singer Shorty Long, released on Motown subsidiaries Soul Records and Tamla Motown shortly after his death. The release was compiled of songs that Long had intended for his follow-up album and was credited to him as producer.

Reception

Editors at AllMusic Guide scored this album 4.5 five stars with critic Andrew Hamilton alleging that "bad choices for single releases killed any chance this LP had" in spite of the quality of Long's singing. In his 2012 book on Procol Harum, Henry Scott-Irvine highlights Long's cover of "A Whiter Shade of Pale" as a stand-out soul rendition of the tune.

Track listing

"I Had a Dream" – 3:21
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" – 2:52
"Memories Are Made of This" – 2:57
"I'm Walkin'" – 2:18
"I Cross My Heart" – 3:20
"Lillie of the Valley" – 2:47
"Blue Monday" – 2:35
"Baby Come Home to Me" – 2:24
"I Wish You Were Here" – 2:38
"When You Are Available" – 2:32
"Give Me Some Air" – 2:42
"Deacon Work" – 2:45

Personnel

Shorty Long – vocals, production
The Originals - background vocals
The Andantes - background vocals
The Elgins - background vocals
J. Dempknock – photography
Ragni L. Griffin – liner notes
Curtis McNair – design
Paul Riser – arrangement on all tracks except "Baby Come Home to Me"
Robert White – arrangement on "Baby Come Home to Me"