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Ann Peebles & The Hi Rhythm Section—Live In Memphis
—Memphis International Records

Ann Peebles needs no introduction, she has been a big name
soul singer for decades. This latest release is actually a live
album that dates back to February 1992 and was recorded
live in Memphis.

‘If I Can’t See You’ is a great opener that sets the scene and
allows Ann to introduce herself to the appreciative Memphis
crowd. Things get a bit more bluesy with ‘Part Time Lover’
before slowing things down with the soulful ballad ‘Didn’t We
Do It’.

She does a great version of her classic song ‘I’m Going To Tear Your Playhouse Down’ before
getting a cool vibe going with ‘I Didn’t Take Your Man’. ‘Let Your Love Light Shine’ is a real
foot tapper that has that Blues Brothers feel to it before closing the album with perhaps her
best known song ‘I Can’t Stand The Rain’.

The instrumentation and backing from the Hi Rhythm Section is first class throughout. What I
like about the brass section is that they don’t overpower or overplay but get things just right.
Ann Peebles has a great soulful voice with superb delivery and is certainly on top of her game
here. You can feel the way she works the crowd and you can sense the atmosphere created on
the night which is a hallmark of a great live album. Despite being recorded thirty years ago
this album still stands up well today.

Ged Wilson

Bison Hip—Dear Greens And Blues—Independent
Release

Bison Hip are a recently formed five piece blues rock band
from Glasgow and this five track EP is their debut release.

‘This Time’ is the opening track and straight away you get a
sense of the quality of the music which has a good
commercial appeal. The gentle smooth as silk vocal works
well against the powerful Isley Brothers ‘Summer Breeze’
style guitar soloing.

The title track ‘Dear Greens And Blues’ has a more jazzy tinged blues feel about it with some
great lyrics reflecting on their home town. Any song that has the line, '…a duke with a cone on
his head, is ushering drunks back to bed…” has to be commended! I really enjoyed this one.

‘See You In The Next Life” ‘ opens with a driving funky blues riff and there is almost a bit of
Liam Gallagher type swagger in the vocal. ‘Forgive’ is a piano based minor blues and the EP
closes with the slowed down and much reflective ‘Trade’.