Search - Ann Peebles :: Best of the Hi Records Years

Best of the Hi Records Years
Ann Peebles
Best of the Hi Records Years
Genres: Pop, R&B
 
  •  Track Listings (21) - Disc #1

Take an inspired producer at the peak of his powers, a great team of session players, and an uncommonly subtle and graceful R&B singer, and what do you have? Top-tier Memphis soul. The feminine counterpart to Al Green ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Ann Peebles
Title: Best of the Hi Records Years
Members Wishing: 4
Total Copies: 0
Label: The Right Stuff
Original Release Date: 7/23/1996
Release Date: 7/23/1996
Genres: Pop, R&B
Style: Soul
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 724385265921, 0724385265952, 724385265952

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Take an inspired producer at the peak of his powers, a great team of session players, and an uncommonly subtle and graceful R&B singer, and what do you have? Top-tier Memphis soul. The feminine counterpart to Al Green on producer Willie Mitchell's Hi label, Peebles had a strong run through the '70s during which she put out a string of R&B hits, many of which have since been revived by famed fans of the singer and the Memphis style. This retrospective gathers 21 peak-period Peebles tracks on one vastly entertaining disc. "I Can't Stand the Rain," "(I Feel Like) Breaking Up Somebody's Home," and "Part Time Love" illustrate the ongoing appeal of this multifaceted vocalist, who stepped away from recording in the '80s, then returned to performing in the '90s, her contemplative vocal approach still intact. --Steven Stolder
 

CD Reviews

The Rise and Fall of Ann Peebles
Sasha | at sea...sailing somewhere | 07/15/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Althought largely forgotten now,"I Cant Stand the Rain" singer Ann Peebles was once one of the most promising souls singers.Throught 70-ies she sparkled via excellent song choice - not gifted vocally as Aretha,but nevertheless convincing singer,she had luck to be backed by producer Willie Mitchell who provided famed Hi-sound around her (her male counterpart being Al Green).Listener also have to notice her adult lyrics,songs are all recorded through 70-ies but lyrics are fresh as always.As this single CD overwiew shows,she started strongly (several songs here are real killers) but unfortunatelly once when she hit big with "I Can't Stand the Rain",it was obvious that production team wanted to follow the formula and her succes eventually vaned,later part of CD shows why - you can't repeat same sound,hoping to find hit again.Ann Peebles didnt change,her voice stayed expressive as always,but songs became sound-alike.Excellent liner notes by author David Nathan ("Soulful Divas") follow her rise but he is very tactfull in explaining why she dissapeared from the top ("Ann's hit-making power seemed to diminish") - in truth,Peebles didnt change her style and her songs started to sound too similar.This is very good CD and it has everything you need to own from Ann Peebles,one of Soul's music legends who were later overshadowed by better-selling names.Althought she started to sound repetative eventually,she didnt sell out and this CD is surprisingly often in my player."
60's/70's Memphis Soul Sound
R. Mix | 09/02/1999
(3 out of 5 stars)

"Ann Peebles grew up in the St. Louis area but became more popular in Memphis. These recordings are evident of the Memphis Sound of that era (Stax / Volt). She is very much an Etta James type sound. Put that over Booker T. and the MGs (plus the Memphis Horns).There is nothing flashy here, but definately a definitive example of Ann Peebles at her best.She is very earthy and has plenty of range.Good record for your soul collection."
If You've Ever Heard Christina Aguilera Sing "At Last"
R. Mix | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 06/06/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)

"...and wondered if 'understated' was still a word, 'The Best of Ann Peebles: The Hi Records Years' is for you. It's guaranteed to restore equilibrium to your musical universe.



Loved by r&b fans and rock musicians alike (Bob Seger covered "Come To Mama", and Graham Parker did likewise with "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down"), Ann Peebles is a master of simmering restraint. What her sublime delivery is able to convey is a thing of beauty--even without the yelping so many female singers think is 'emoting' in these, the days of Patti Labelle, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera and their 'American Idol' clones.



Her signing with Hi Records was an act of celestial confluence, her unadorned delivery a perfect fit for the Hi Records house band's lean, spare chops. "Part Time Love", "I Can't Stand the Rain", "A Love Vibration" and "Come To Mama" are bare-bones, propulsive funk, the sister to recordings by Al Green and Syl Johnson.



There's nothing fancy about the music here, or the broad, flat flood plains of west Tennessee from which it sprang. But like the deceptively relaxed current of the Mississippi, this music will grab you and won't let go.



Take the plunge.







"