Ann Peebles Straight From The Heart on 180g Import LP from Speakers Corner

Ann Peebles’ climb up the career ladder was rather more conventional than spectacular in the tough, rough days of rhythm and blues. She was first discovered when she appeared in Memphis nightclubs, was given a break by the big-band leader Gene 'Bowlegs' Miller, and landed her first top hit with the celebrated song "I Can’t Stand The Rain." Towards the end of the '70s she made a well-timed retreat just before the outbreak of the highly commercialized disco wave, only to return many years later with a revival of her old songs.

Recorded in August of 1971 at Royal Recording Studios, Memphis, TN, with Willie Mitchell and issued in 1972, Straight From The Heart has certainly not mellowed with age. Her singing is sharp and soulful, and as the title suggests, comes right from the heart ("Slipped, Tripped And Fell In Love"). The beats are powerful, throbbing, young and fresh ("What You Laid On Me") or surging and groovy ("How Strong Is A Woman?").

The arrangements come across as sophisticated and well balanced, yet do not balk at harsh attacks from the winds nor from the use of Hammond and Hohner keyboards, which were so popular at that time. Melody, singers and big band are airy and finely interwoven ("Somebody’s On Your Case"), while a fusion of soft swing and snappy acerbity ("I Pity The Fool") rounds off this album which is filled with pure raw emotion, heart and soul!

Musicians:
- Ann Peebles (vocals)
- James Mitchell (baritone saxophone)
- Andrew Love (tenor saxophone, vocals)
- Ed Logan (tenor saxophone, vocals)
- Jack Hale (trombone)
- Wayne Jackson (trumpet)
- Teenie Hodges (guitar)
- Charles Hodges (organ, piano)
- Leroy Hodges (bass)
- Howard Grimes (drums)

Ann Peebles Straight From The Heart Track Listing:

1.  Slipped, Tripped and Fell In Love
2.  Trouble, Heartaches & Sadness
3.  What You Laid On Me
4.  How Strong Is A Woman
5.  Somebody's On Your Case
6.  I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home Tonight
7.  I've Been There Before
8.  I Pity The Fool
9.  99 Pounds
10. I Take What I Want