Don't Play Me Cheap was arranged by Jesse Herring and René Hall. It features mainly compositions by Ike Turner; the exceptions are "The Real Me" which was written by Curtis Mayfield and "Love Letters" written by Edward Heyman and Victor Young. The album was released in February 1963 and produced one single, "Wake Up," released in April 1963 with the title track as the B-side. The song "I Made A Promise Up Above" was the B-side to the single "Dear John" in 1966.
Ike and Tina are one of the best-blended teams around today. Tina's exacting sense of rhythm on both pulsating r&b numbers and ballads is perfectly complemented by Ike's first-rate piano and guitar work. The duo are in fine form on this Sue entry of danceable blues sides. The songstress belts out winning readings of "Wake Up," "Don't Play Me Cheap" and "My Everything To Me" with all of her expected poise and artistry.[1]
Reissues
Don't Play Me Cheap was reissued on CD by Collectables Records in 1997. It was reissued in its original LP format by Rumble Records in 2015.[3]
