Re-mastering by: Kevin Gray

Recorded in 1973 at Royal Recording Studios,
South Lauderdale, Memphis, Tennessee

Produced by Willie Mitchell

This wonderful album, originally released in 1974 on the Memphis-based Hi Records label, deserved a wider audience than it ended up getting at the time. It played to Ann Peebles’ great strength, her poised and sultry voice, and surrounded by the sparse, easy funkiness of the trademark Hi rhythm section and producer Willie Mitchell’s perfect use of horns and strings, she sings like a resilient but disappointed angel on this impressive set of songs about the darker side of love. Her best song is here, the eccentric but brilliant “I Can’t Stand the Rain,” along with a marvelous version of Joe Simon’s “(You Keep Me) Hangin’ On,” and perfect readings of a pair of Earl Randle songs, “If We Can’t Trust Each Other” and “I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down.” Peebles sings her heart out, and with those somehow bright-sounding Hi grooves behind her, it all comes together to make a classic album of dark, bouncy, and beautiful Southern soul. Steve Leggett/AMG

Personnel:
Ann Peebles – vocals
Howard Grimes – drums
Jack Hale – trombone
Charles Hodges – keyboards
Leroy Hodges – bass
Mabon “Teenie” Hodges – guitar
Wayne Jackson – trumpet
Ed Logan – tenor saxophone
Andrew Love – tenor saxophone
James Mitchell – baritone saxophone
Archie Turner – piano
Rhode – background vocals
Memphis Sanctified Singers – horn section
Sandra Chalmers – background vocals