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.