Recording and content
Sweet Rhode Island Red was recorded at the Ike & Tina Turner's Bolic Sound studio. A majority of the songs from the album were written by Tina Turner, including the title track which was released as a single in February 1974. "Sweet Rhode Island Red" peaked at No. 43 on the Billboard R&B chart, No. 43 in Germany, No. 17 in Italy and No. 51 on the UK Singles Chart.[7][8]
The follow-up single "Sexy Ida" was released in two versions: the funk rhythmic A-side, "Sexy Ida (Part 1)", and the up-temp B-side, "Sexy Ida (Part 2)". "Sexy Ida (Part 1)" reached No. 29 on Billboard R&B chart and No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100.[9] In Europe it peaked at No. 51 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 35 in Italy.[10] "Sexy Ida (Part 2)" features rock musician Marc Bolan on guitar.[11] It peaked at No. 85 on the Hot 100 and No. 9 on the R&B chart.[12] Both songs were included on the album in the Netherlands, Germany and Italy.[13][14][15]
Critical reception
Sidney Nelson wrote for the Evening Post (November 8, 1974):
"Sweet Rhode Island Red" finds Ike and Tina Turner producing their high-octane rock-blues-soul combination with Tina breaking into her famous scream at regular, spine-chilling intervals. Strangely, however, it is when she purrs her way through Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City," holding the power back that she really scores on this album. The opener "Let Me Be There" is fine but for the rest, even Tina's dynamic delivery cannot raise mediocre material.[16]
Reissues
Sweet Rhode Island Red was digitally remastered and released by BGO Records in 2012 on the compilation CD Sweet Rhode Island Red/The Gospel According To Ike & Tina.[17]
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