O.V. Wright- A Nickel And A Nail And Ace

Label: Strongly Felt

Released 1971

A Nickel and a Nail and Ace of Spades (1971) is a powerful Southern soul album that captures the raw emotional intensity and gospel-rooted depth that defined Wright’s finest work. The album blends deep soul, blues, and country influences into a tight yet emotionally charged sound marked by warm organ lines, restrained but expressive horn arrangements, and Wright’s impassioned, pleading vocals. The title track, “A Nickel and a Nail,” stands as one of his signature performances, a slow-burning lament about hardship and desperation delivered with striking vulnerability, while “Ace of Spades” adds a grittier, blues-inflected edge. Throughout the record, Wright’s background in gospel singing shapes his phrasing and intensity, giving even the most understated arrangements a spiritual urgency. Though less commercially celebrated than some of his contemporaries, this album remains a cornerstone of deep soul.

Track Listing:

1. Don't Let My Baby Ride    
   
2. Born All Over    
   
3. Ace Of Spades    
   
4. Eight Men, Four Women    
   
5. He Made Woman For Man    
   
6. I Can't Take It    
   
7. Afflicted    
   
8. When You Took Your Love From Me   
   
9. A Nickel And A Nail    
   
10. Don't Take It Away