ANN PEEBLES- BRAND NEW CLASSICS REVIEWS
May 25th 2006
- Ed Bumgardner - Writer for the Winston-Salem Journal
1/2 Of Four Stars
In recent years, a handful of savvy producers have taken it upon themselves to rediscover and record many of the forgotten soul and R&B singers, most of whom, despite getting on in years, remain in fine (and refined) voice. The latest such project is Brand New Classics, a new album by Ann Peebles, one of the finest of the Memphis soul singers of the 1970s (her distinctive phrasing was an influence on Al Green).
This disc will thrill older soul-music fans even as it effectively introduces Peebles to a new generation. Live retoolings of many of her greatest songs ("I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down," "I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home") - and a soaring adaptation of Foreigner's "I Want To Know What Love Is" - are smartly navigated by a full band in semi-acoustic arrangements. The dynamic inflections and emotional power of Peebles' delivery remain captivating, so much so that five bonus studio tracks merely cap an organic, contemporary-sounding album that goes for the heart and ends up a classic soul celebration.
- Ed Bumgardner
relish staff writer
May 19th 2006
Simon White The Metropolitin show on Starpoint Radio
Of Five Stars
Now this is really nice. It's a mostly live album without all the pitfalls that 'live' often brings and that's because Ann Peebles is fantastic and the band matches her. The smoky edged Soul in Ann's voice, which has matured since her seventies 'Hi' recordings, shines all the way through this album, speaking of experience and an un-named wisdom that is there in all real Soul music.
This the kind of timeless album that will push classic Soul music further towards the acceptability and credibility that Jazz has enjoyed for so long. Ann performs a few of her classics, including the sublime 'I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down' and of course 'I Can't Stand The Rain' both done in a different style to the original. She does a wonderful version of her 'I'm So Thankful' and the medley of 'Steal Away/I still Love You' is superb. This album is a glass of very fine, full bodied red wine.
May 3rd 2006
- Mike Atherton Wtiter for Britains' Echoes Magazine
1/2Of Five Stars
The return of two legendary names from the past: Track Records, the label which gave us Jimi Hendrix and The Who, not to mention fine Detroit soul sides by The Parliaments and Al Kent, and Ann Peebles, the diminutive dynamo of a diva who scored hit after hit on Memphis-based Hi Records in the Seventies.
At first glance this looks as if it could be one of those faded-star-does-her-hits-live sets, as Peebles faves like I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down, You Keep Me Hanging On and I Can't Stand The Rain feature amongst the 16 tracks.
But, though much of it was recorded in front of a live studio audience, this is no cheap cash-in, and there's nothing the least bit faded about Miss Peebles - or Mrs. Bryant, as she has been for many years. Hubby Don, no mean recording artist himself, has a guest spot on the gospel tune Spread and shows that his voice is still fully intact, too.
Backed by her aptly-named Dream Team band, drums, acoustic and electric guitars and a juicy but controlled Hammond organ, Ann brings maturity and a sense of warm intimacy to those old songs, without losing an ounce of their soul content. She is adept at bringing out the shades and nuances of a lyric, as demonstrated on the bluesy Walk Away and the beautiful, anthemic and autobiographical I'm So Thankful.
Amongst the newer numbers are her version of Foreigner's I Wanna Know What Love Is and the Stones' Miss You, two songs which fit seamlessly into her repertoire. On the latter she's backed by her old Memphis homeboys Hodges, Hodges and Grimes, veterans of innumerable Hi sessions.
Of course, I Can't Stand The Rain is here, sassier and funkier than we remember it, a pleasing contrast to the mellow vibes of most of the set. Ann Peebles may have been quiet for a while, but she still has the star quality which this writer witnessed when he saw her at the 100 Club nearly 30 years ago. That star shines from every track of this warm, uplifting and lovely album.