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Back Stabbers | 
| Artist: The O'jays
Label: Sony
Category: Music
List Price: $11.98
Buy New: $3.96
You Save: $8.02 (67%)
New (38) Used (15) from $2.49
Rating:  22 reviews
Sales Rank: 261241
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.5 x 4.9 x 0.3
MPN: 733923
UPC: 886973392324
EAN: 0886973392324
ASIN: B001CISXGW
Release Date: October 14, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW NEVER USED! FACTORY SEALED! NEW ITEM USED PRICE! All Day Low Prices! Buy From Us, Sell To Us, We Do it All!!
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| Tracks:
| • | When The World's At Peace | | • | Back Stabbers | | • | Who Am I | | • | (They Call Me) Mr. Lucky | | • | Time To Get Down | | • | 992 Arguments (Previously released material) | | • | Listen To The Clock On The Wall | | • | Shiftless, Shady, Jealous Kind Of People | | • | Sunshine | | • | Love Train |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Back Stabbers (1972) is the album that put both producing/songwriting team Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International label and journeyman trio the O'Jays on the map as major forces in '70s soul. Gamble/Huff's lushly funky tracks here proved the ideal backdrop for the group's shared lead vocals; singles like the acid "Back Stabbers" and "992 Arguments" gave free rein to a quality that would lead Wolfman Jack to describe the act as "dangerous." At the same time, "Love Train" offered a more utopian social vision, while ballads such as "Who Am I" and "Listen to the Clock on the Wall" pointed the way to the O'Jays's status as some of R&B's longest-running romantic figures. A key disc for lovers of the Philly sound. --Rickey Wright
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| Customer Reviews: Read 17 more reviews...
Timeless and Essential Listening. September 15, 2002
The Groove (Boston, MA)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
How on earth could I give this any less than 5 stars? This is Philly soul at its finest, crafted with love, passion, and feeling. The title track is among the most influential songs ever, and it remains as one of the most nerve-hitting tales of betrayal and hypocrisy. Apparently, this song has to be great, for TLC borrowed the lyrics in their jam "Case of the Fake People," and Angie Stone near-stole the music in her single "Wish I Didn't Miss You." But look elsewhere, and you will find other gems that are just as excellent. "Love Train" is one funky, soulful ride that still brings a smile to my face, while "Sunshine" also radiates (pardon the pun). This was recorded in an era when singers had a genuine passion for music; when real instruments were used to create infectious grooves, and when sampling didn't exist. "Backstabbers" is a classic, and it's a potent reminder of how great records used to be made.
 Philly At It's Best February 25, 2000
Ray Santi (Washington, Tyne & Wear, England)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
The Philly trio's first for Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International - and what a debut ! Almost every song's a winner. Listen to "Time To Get Down". It didn't hit the heights of the other tracks culled as singles but it sneaks up on you. Even today the music has hidden secrets to uncover. Philly creativity at it's best. Essential for the soul fan. Own it.
Welcome To Philadelphia.. April 26, 2001
David Wayne (Santee, CA United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This album represented a zenith for both The O'Jays and for Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the founders of the Philadelphia International label. The O'Jays had shrunk from 5 members to 4 to 3 by this time, after more than a decade of regular singles, irregular albums, and long tours on the "Chitlin' Circuit." They had been known, basically, for singles that were catchy, 2.5 minute snapshots of soul, usually dealing with romantic themes. This album was certainly different. The new, was on display right away on the opening cut, "When The World's At Peace": a Sly Stone/Chambers Brothers-influenced slice of protest. And balladeers Walter Williams, William Powell, and Eddie Levert show that they can handle the new direction with ease. It is a mighty performance! But the next thing that hits you is the opening piano flourish of "Back Stabbers." This was also a new direction. When "Back Stabbers" came out, it was nothing short of a revelation to Black listeners, but it also spoke to anyone who lived in poverty-stricken conditions. And, if listening, to anyone in America. It was no surprise that the single topped the Soul chart, but it also hit #3 pop, the message that you can't trust ANYBODY (this was the Nixon era), really hitting home. The follow-up singles ("992 Arguments" and "Time To Get Down") also did well on the soul chart, but the final single issued, "Love Train," put a gold-encrusted crown on the whole affair. It topped both the Soul and pop charts. The sense was that Gamble, Huff, and their major co-producer, Thom Bell, were telling it like it really was, using the O'Jays as their voice. It was a system that really worked. The album also contained highly popular tracks besides the singles, with varying themes like love, fidelity, sex, and the realities of ghetto life. There were years of gold ahead for The O'Jays and Philly Int'l. It must have been quite gratifying for Gamble and Huff, to build from a popular single on the Soul Survivors ("Expressway To Your Heart"), to regular Soul chart success with The Intruders on the Gamble label, to major crossover success with Jerry Butler ("Only The Strong Survive"), to this: the establishment of what was soon to be a very lucrative empire, that featured Teddy Pendergrass, Harold Melvin, Lou Rawls, Billy Paul, and The Three Degrees, among others. "Back Stabbers" (the album and the single) was the jumping-off point.
A 70's soul must-have February 17, 2003
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This was the first album I ever bought, at the age of ten, and the songs stay with me to this day. Although I grew up in Detroit and with the Motown Sound, I came of age listening to "TSOP" (The Sound Of Philly). "992 Arguments" was an underrated single from this album, but the 45 disc doesn't do it justice. You have to hear the album track with the vocals and lush orchestral arrangements. If you were going to start a 70's soul collection, this is a must have disc.
Changing the face of soul music forever May 16, 2000
Timothy R. Sullivan
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is a must for anyone who loves soul music. The production, singing, lyrics -- the messages behind those powerful voices -- this album was landmark and changed the face of soul music forever. The combination of message music along with love songs is bar none. Perhaps the greatest soul album of all time ... actually one of the greatest albums ever in any genre. Rolling Stone had it at 77 or so of its all-time albums, perhaps 76 spots too low ... and I'm serious. Anyone, young, old, whatever, should get this.
The powerful singing of Eddie Levert leads the way. "Love Train," "Time to Get Down," "Back Stabbers," "When the World is at Peace," are all classic songs, incredibly produced by Gamble and Huff with some nice assists by Thom Bell and others.
Levert signs tough, smooth, soulful and he can even crank out a ballad. Oh yeah, Walter Williams is equally as good a singer if that gives you an indication on the talent of this super group. There's so much to this album, from the production to the orchestration to the singing.
You get the idea, buy this. As much as I've gushed over it, I'm still not doing it justice. This album is off the charts.
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