Carla Thomas was essentially a balad singer in heart who started with "Gee Whiz" and "Mama,Mama Wish Me Good Luck",just to be pushed in more commercial vein of "Stax" sound,the role of sexy seductive soul-godess that never suited her and lady herself (in liner notes) noted that 1966. was the moment when her music became more hit-heavy but strangely detached from her real personality.As the result,this 22 songs-compilation is almost a schizoprenic split of personality between early,young and romantic Thomas and later horn-bass-rhytm drenched "Stax" product,hit material that perhaps showed more of Thomas acting ability than her real vision of herself as a singer."Stax" was excellent company that produced exciting and energetic music,but it was a man's world (Sam & Dave,Otis Redding,Isaac Hayes...) and Thomas sweet voice & gentle personality would have much better suited to Dionne Warwick/Diana Ross/Mary Wells style - I have impression that while she gave "Stax" its first big kick with "Gee Whiz",the company slowly but surely pushed her in the back while changing music direction towards rhytmic numbers and her "Gee Whiz" was more of a past relic than something the company wanted to pursue.True,the second part of this CD compilation is recognisable "Stax" music but I can't shake the feeling that Carla Thomas was not there completely and she had just listen Isaac Hayes instructions.

this song gee whiz was one of the most moving love songs ever to come out of my radio in my 1957 chevy while watching the submarine races at plumb beach Bklyn NY with my girl...

I was in college with Carla Thomas at Tenn. State University in Nashville, TN. in 1960-61. I remember her singing at a talent show there and really thought she was great. I felt that she would turn professional with the great voice she had. My brother also knows her father, Rufus Thomas.