Surely it's Ann Peebles' time

[Pete C]

Based on her performance in the film "Only the Strong Survive," and a small acoustic set on Andy Kershaw's BBC Radio 3 program(me) last year that I've heard, I'm convinced that that a smart producer could give her a Solomon Burke-like renaissance. She sounds better than ever.

[lazarus]

She´s an old favorite of mine. I love her recordings on HI Records.
I really hope she will get a renaissance.

[Noj]

My favorite Peebles tunes are "I Can't Stand The Rain" and "Come To Mama." I'll third the motion for a renaissance!

[John L]

Amen, Pete. I consider Ann Peebles to be one of the truly great soul singers. I listen to her VERY often.

Her classic HI recordings have recently been gathered on 4 full CDs. She made a great record in the 1990s:



Fill This World With Love from 1996 was not bad either.

Somebody needs to keep recording her.

On the other hand, God forbid that Joe Henry should get a hold of her and channel her through the Fat Possum machine like he did for Solomon Burke and Bettye Lavette. He may be helped their careers by bringing more public attention. But he sure did screw up their music.

[Dr Dave]

Her version of "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You" is quite amazing.

[Root Doctor]

Originally Posted by John L

Amen, Pete. I consider Ann Peebles to be one of the truly great soul singers. I listen to her VERY often.

Her classic HI recordings have recently been gathered on 4 full CDs. She made a great record in the 1990s:



Fill This World With Love from 1996 was not bad either.

Somebody needs to keep recording her.

On the other hand, God forbid that Joe Henry should get a hold of her and channel her through the Fat Possum machine like he did for Solomon Burke and Bettye Lavette. He may be helped their careers by bringing more public attention. But he sure did screw up their music.

Henry's too portentous a producer to make a decent soul record, although I prefer what he does to the bland proficiency of Dan Was. Throwing performers like Andre Williams and Nathaniel Mayer into skronkier settings seems to be more effective, even if those records ("Silky" and "I Just Want to be Held," respectively) lack the grease of their Fortune recordings. Then again, Williams and Mayer were hardly mainstream soul guys back in the days.

I listened to Peebles' first Rounder disc yesterday and was reminded of how good it was. The disc she made prior to it, "Call Me" on Willie Mitchell's Waylo label, is very good, too.

I saw Peebles with Otis Clay and the Hi Rhythm Section about a decade ago, and they were all topnotch.

[Chris D]

Ry Cooder produced that great record for Bobby King and Terry Evans. Maybe he'd be up to the job. It sure would be nice to see her have a renaissance.

[John L]

Originally Posted by Root Doctor

I saw Peebles with Otis Clay and the Hi Rhythm Section about a decade ago, and they were all topnotch.

There is this live 2-CD set of such a concert from 1994 that is worth picking up



I am also a huge Otis Clay fan. Somebody needs to keep recording him as well, particularly as Rounder didn't really succeed in capturing him at his best on those two last discs. Among Clay's more recent albums, the gospel one is the real crown jewel (IMO):