Editors at AllMusic rated this album 3.5 out of 5 stars, with critic Ron Wynn writing that "these tunes didn't have any crossover appeal, but they're gritty, unpolished, and sung with the intensity and energy that made Baker's later material so memorable".[2] A 1998 repackaging of this with 1963's See See Rider received 4.5 out of 5 stars, with critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine writing that in spite of minor flaws, "each are dominated by great songs and performances, illustrating what a terrific, powerful vocalist Baker was".[3]Billboard gave the album 4 out of 4 stars, indicating "very strong sales potential" to retailers, speculating that it would have pop and rhythm and blues appeal.[1] In the 2004 edition of The New Rolling Stone Album Guide, the two-album compilation was rated 3.5 out of 5 stars and the editors write that this music is the stronger half, calling it a "gut-wrencher" made up of "first-rate songs".[4]George Starostin considered the album "a fun journey even if it contains more relative lows than highs" for its mix of genres.[5]
Mickey Baker – guitar on "If You Love Me" and "So High, So Low"
Everett Barksdale – guitar on "I Cried a Tear", "Dix-A-Billy", and "How Often"
Harry Breuer – xylophone on "Why Baby Why", "It’s So Fine", and "Whipper Snapper"
Howard Biggs – arrangement on "Why Baby Why", "It’s So Fine", and "Whipper Snapper"; conducting on "Why Baby Why", "It’s So Fine", and "Whipper Snapper"
Leon Cohen – alto saxophone on "I Cried a Tear" and "Dix-A-Billy"
Wendell Marshall – double bass on "Why Baby Why", "It’s So Fine", "Whipper Snapper", and "How Often"
Marcia Neil – choir vocals on "I Cried a Tear" and "Dix-A-Billy"
Reggie Obrecht – piano on "How Often"; arrangement on "I Cried a Tear", "Dix-A-Billy", and "How Often"; conducting on "I Cried a Tear", "Dix-A-Billy", and "How Often"
Jerry Parker – choir vocals on "I Cried a Tear" and "Dix-A-Billy"
Jimmy Ricks – vocal duet on "You’re the Boss", and "I’ll Never Be Free"
Chuck Sagle – arrangement on "If You Love Me" and "So High, So Low", conducting on "If You Love Me" and "So High, So Low"
^Hoard, Christian David; Brackett, Nathan, eds. (2004). "LaVern Baker". The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. pp. 39–41. ISBN9780743201698.