EDDIE HINTON - DREAMER

Eddie Hinton was one of those crack behind-the-scenes players whose incredible talent largely went unrecognised. He wrote and played for Percy Sledge, Aretha, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding and Elvis to name a few. Those in the know rated him, including Bob Dylan and Jerry Wexler who said in a letter to Eddie's mother, 'He remains unique, a white boy who truly sang and played in the spirit of the great black soul artists he venerated. With Eddie, it wasn't imitation; it was totally created, with a fire and fury that was as real as Otis Redding's and Wilson Pickett's.'

He finally got some recognition after his death (in 1995) with the release of the great Dear Y'all compilation on Zane Records in 2000. It's also worth tracking down a copy of the Coleman-Hinton Project recorded at Muscle Shoals, his mum found the unreleased masters under his bed after he died.

Though he mostly wrote and played for others and his own singles are hard to find, here's one cut from 1969 that not only shows what a great player he was but also, what a voice, he could well be the best blue-eyed soul singer ever, what do you think? Have a listen...

EDDIE HINTON - DREAMER