Customer Reviews

Understanding

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4 star:		(1)
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this lp went to #11 on billboards top 200 lp chart in 1972 despite little airplay support from pop radio. most airplay came from r&b stations. recorded at muscle schoals ( 6 songs ) and american sound studios, memohis (3 cuts) where the bulk of the muscians are white,it fell on deaf ears inpop radio. every song is well crafted, the best from muscle schoals being the title cut and HARRY HIPPIE,all the cuts from american sound are excellent WOMANS GOT TO HAVE IT, his soulful rendition of SWEET CAROLINE in which very few people realise that these are the same musicians who played on neil diamonds version. the surprise cut is bobby's version of the beatles song AND I LOVE HER. his version is so soulful and full of mood that it makes the beatles version sound like bubblegum as tho the archies recorded it. when people ask who is the greatest guitarist most say jimi hendrix,eric clapton, joe perry or jimmy pagebut to this writer they all pale in comparison to reggie young who plays on the memphis sessions and most sessions by any artist who has ever recorded at american sound studios including elvis presley,aretha franklin,brenda lee,b j thomas,wilson pickett,dusty springfield,the box tops,solomon burke,petula clark, neil diamond,joe tex and many others. in 1972 while most were buyiing top 10 lps by chicago, 3 dog night,wings and others the gem of the class is UNDERSTANDING by bobby womack. p s the reveiwer is white.

I had never heard Bobby before I purchased this CD on Amazon. My taste in music lean in the direction of soul and this album is just that. Bobby recorded it at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio (Muscle Shoals AL) and American Studio (Memphis TN). With the Swampers of MSSS and those Memphis soul cats it just doesn't get any better. Even though I live in Muscle Shoals and love the Swampers I think those Memphis cats do a more funky/soul job on this album. Check it out and see if you agree. MSSS (Tracks 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9) - American Studio (Tracks 2, 3 and 8). BTW, Bobby recorded this album in 1972.

He was doing it before Al Green and he can still do it better than Al Green. The last of the Sam Cooke/Lou Rawles era. He even married Sam's widow (bet you didn't know that)! Every song on this CD is a winner. I Can Understand It, Woman's Gotta Have It, And I Love Her, Sweet Caroline, Harry Hippie! I still play it at least once a month. If you want to groove, check out this CD. I've been into it for over 30 years and now it's your turn!
Rick Toye

This is wonderful piece of work from a much under-appreciated, but very important soul man. A real treat.