What You Hear Is What You Get is together with the album Workin Together (which was Ike and Tina’s highest charting U.S. album) the most successful album of the duo. Ike and Tina performed a doubleheader at the Carnegie Hall in New York City on April 1, 1971. The 7:30 PM show was followed by an 11 o'clock concert that carried on into the early hours of April 2.
Beside some Ike Turner penned songs, it includes also live interpretations of songs from Otis Redding, Sly Stone, The Rolling Stones and Proud Mary from Creedence Clearwater Revival.
The album was originally released in 1971 with a very nice trifold cover in America and a gatefold cover in Europe and was reviewed in Billboard magazine in it’s issue from July 3, 1971. An American special edition features a black envelope with a purple picture from Tina inside and liner notes from Kendrew Lascelles. In Germany, an abridged version was released in 1972 under the title LIVE, while the duo was on tour in Europe.
For promotion, an extended play single with three tracks from the album, including strips for Jukeboxes and an one sided vinyl single featuring a commercial for radio stations was released.
Producer: Ike Turner
Photographer: Norman Seeff
Release: July 1971 / 1972 (Live) / Various (Reissue)
Label: United Artists / Various (Reissue)
Format: Vinyl (Trifold) / Cartridge / Reel Tape / Cassette / CD
Charts: USA: #7 (R&B), #25 (Pop)
Certifications: USA: 1x Gold
Get The New 2 Record LP, That’s Almost Too Hot To Handle! Ike & Tina "What You Hear Is What You Get," Live At Carnegie Hall — Billboard (July 24, 1971)