Give Me Some Credit - Ann Peebles, Smith, Carl [Vocals
Part Time Love - Ann Peebles, Hammond, Clay
I Pity the Fool - Ann Peebles, Malone, Deadric
I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down - Ann Peebles, Randle, Earl
I'll Get Along - Ann Peebles, Jones, Marshall "Ro
Slipped, Tripped and Fell in Love - Ann Peebles, Jackson, George
I Can't Stand the Rain - Ann Peebles, Bryant, Don
(I Feel Like) Breaking up Somebody's Home - Ann Peebles, Jackson, Al Jr. [Dr
Somebody's on Your Case - Ann Peebles, Randle, Earl
(You Keep Me) Hangin' On - Ann Peebles, Allen, Ira
A Love Vibration - Ann Peebles, Bryant, Don
99 Pounds - Ann Peebles, Bryant, Don
Do I Need You - Ann Peebles, Peebles, Ann
Come to Mama - Ann Peebles, Mitchell, Willie
Dr. Love Power - Ann Peebles, Anderson, Gene [2]
Beware - Ann Peebles, Randle, Earl
Fill This World With Love - Ann Peebles, Anderson, Gene [2]
Old Man With Young Ideas - Ann Peebles, Jackson, George
If This Is Heaven - Ann Peebles, Mitchell, Willie
Didn't Take Your Man - Ann Peebles, Barnes, Pat
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 »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« less
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.
"
Ann Peebles is the best
Gary Morris | Portland, OR USA | 02/09/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was lucky enough to see Peebles when she toured in the mid-'90s (in San Francisco) and have to say, though I missed the incredible background singers (those *white* Chalmers-Rhodes-Chalmers girls) and Willie Mitchell's crackling arrangements, she was still in great form.
Simply one of the most underrated soul singers of her era, and her style is well showcased in this sampling from her glory days with Mitchell's Hi Records. Peebles is not a flashy singer with unbelievable chops like Aretha or Mavis Staples, but she has a grit and an absolute authority that puts her in their class. It's impossible not to believe every word she says. A MUST for fans of classic soul. It didn't hurt that she was associated with one of the great soul producers in Mitchell, whose best arrangements ("I Can't Stand the Rain," e.g.) are unique in the genre."
Track Listings (21) - Disc #1