Otis Clay
Raised singing gospel, both Peebles and Clay in the early '70s became part of the Memphis soul scene with fellow gospel crooner Al Green. Peebles went on to cowrite the haunting, Grammy-nominated 1973 hit "I Can't Stand the Rain," then left Memphis's Hi Records in the late '70s to write and record on her own and to start a day-care center. Clay had his biggest hit in '72, "Trying to Live My Life Without You," and later recorded on his own label.
Peebles and Clay are crossing paths again with simultaneous releases on Rounder's Bullseye Blues label. On Full Time Love, Peebles swoops and purrs her way through 11 tunes, five of which she cowrote with husband and pianist Donald Bryant and guitarist Thomas Bingham. On the best of these she displays the signature combination of grit and gossamer that made her such a formidable singer in the '70s.
The Memphis Horns and the original Hi Rhythm Section ably assist Peebles as well as bluesy labelmate Clay, giving his expansive, gospel-flavored vocals a lush, horn-driven background.
Judging by these latest releases, both singers still are capable of enriching the gospel and soul traditions of which they are undeniable treasures."
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