Ann Peebles – If This Is Heaven

Continuing Ann Peebles' partnership with Hi producer/songwriter Willie Mitchell, 1977's "If This Is Heaven" was a fantastic, late-inning slice of old-school Memphis soul. Music is a business and it should not have come as a surprise Hi at least acknowledged changing public tastes. You certainly weren't going to mistake this for a Chic collection, but material like the title track, 'Boy I Gotta Have You' and 'It Must be Love' included nods to dance music and disco. At the same time Peebles and Mitchell deserved credit for standing their creative ground and refusing to follow many of their competitors in a mindless rush to sell-out to popular tastes. In spite of the updated touches ( check out the talk box guitar effects on her cover of O.V. Wright's 'You Gonna Make Me Cry'), the album certainly wasn't a radical departure for Peebles. In other words, there was plenty of old school soul here. The fact is Peebles' voice remained a soul treasure and she was in fine form throughout. Longstanding Peebles fans already had a good idea of what to expect and her sixth studio release wasn't going to disappoint. To be honest, there really wasn't a single bad tune on the album, making it hard to pick favorites . If forced in a corner, I'd go with the slinky Curtis Mayfield-tinged 'Being Here with You', her ode to domestic happiness 'I'm So Thankful' and the funky 'A Good Day for Lovin''.
 
"If This Is Heaven" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) If This Is Heaven (Willie Mitchell - Earl Randle) - 3:07 rating: *** stars
The title track was quite commercial, though the mild disco tinge wasn't particularly helpful. On the other hand Peebles had such a fantastic voice you could overlook other shortcomings. Inexplicably, this was the only track released as an American single:
- 1977's 'If This Is Heaven' b/w 'When I'm IN Your Arms' (Hi catalog number H-77502) # 64 R&B   
Shame it was the only single as there were several other equally radio-friendly tunes on the album.
2.) A Good Day for Lovin' (Don Bryant - Willie Mitchell - Earl Randle) - 2:48. rating: **** stars
Kicked along by Leroy Hodges bass and some of the album's punchiest horn charts, who would have ever imagined Peebles powering her way through a track that was this funky ? Killer tune with kind of Sly and the Family Stone vibe going on.
3.) I'm So Thankful (Ann Peebles - Don Bryant - Gene Anderson) - 4:02. rating: **** stars
You'll seldom hear a paean to middle age respectability that's as pretty and thought provoking. One of three tracks Peebles co-wrote, the tune was apparently autobiographical (Peebles and husband Don Bryant had just become parents) and few singers could as effortlessly capture that aura of personal sadness as Peebles did on this one.   
4.) Being Here with You (Willie Mitchell - Earl Randle) - 3:00. rating: **** stars
Maybe a result of Teenie Hodges' shimmering guitar work, or Aarion Nesbitt's slightly psychedelic horn and string arrangement, but for some reason 'Being Here with You' has always reminded me of a Curtis Mayfield tune. As a big Mayfield fan, that was meant as a high compliment One of the album's highlights.   
5.) Boy I Gotta Have You (Willie Mitchell - Earl Randle) - 2:40 rating: *** stars
'Boy I Gotta Have You' was clearly intended to extend Peebles' audience into the dance/disco arena. To her credit Peebles turned in a nice performance, but surrounded by a rather routine disco--fied arrangement she didn't sound particularly inspired, or comfortable with the proceedings. Certainly not horrible and benefited from being relatively short.

(side 2)
1.) When I'm In Your Arms (Ann Peebles - Don Bryant - Gene Anderson) - 3:03 rating: **** stars
A simply glistening slice of prime Memphis soul with a melody that simply climbed into your head and won't leave. With Peebles turning on the vocal afterburners you were left to wonder how this one was relegated to a 45 'B' side.  
2.) You Gonna Make Me Cry (O.V. Wright) - 4:39 rating: *** stars
Off of 1965's "(If It Is) Only for Tonight"), the O.V. Wright original was actually entitled 'You're Gonna Make Me Cry' and simply crushes the competition. Still credit Peebles for turning in a nice, bluesy cover and the Joe Walsh-styled talk-box guitar effect was totally unexpected and kind of cool.   
3.) Games (Earl Randle - B. Jarrett - P. Barnes) - 2:58 rating: **** stars
Almost a rock tune, 'Games' sounded a bit like something Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong might have trotted out for the mid-'70s Temptations. It was a tune that grew on you if given the chance.    
4.) Lovin' You without Love (Willie Mitchell - Y. Mitchell - Earl Randle) - 3:00 rating: *** stars
Pretty enough ballad with a great title track refrain that spotlighted Charles Hodges on Hammond B3 and Michael Toles on Coral electric sitar. Always loved electric sitar - sort of a Thom Bell feel. 
5.) It Must Be Love (Ann Peebles - Don Bryant - Gene Anderson) - 2:52 rating: **** stars
'It Must be Love' has always reminded me of a Stapes Singers tune. There was just something in Peebles raspy delivery, along with the ,uncredited male singer who recalled Purvis Stapes (wonder if it was Don Bryant ?). The uplifting lyric and bubbly mini-Moog just underscored the comparison. Another standout performance.    

"Beware", "Boy I Gotta Have You" and "Games" are my favorites on this all in fantastic Ann Peebles Album. "Boy I Gotta Have You" is a kind of discotised Memphis Sound with beautiful Strings and Horns. Love it!

A soulful singer delivering lyrics perfectly, thoughtfully & with feeling. Slightly more 'modern' (mid/late 70's) soul sound but enough old-school Memphis groove for this to cook. Doesn't disappoint.