Bobby Womack | ||
| Allmusic Biography : A veteran who paid his dues for over a decade before getting his shot at solo stardom, Bobby Womack persevered through tragedy and addiction to emerge as one of soul musics great survivors. Able to shine in the spotlight as a singer or behind the scenes as an instrumentalist and songwriter, Womack never got his due from pop audiences, but during the late 60s and much of the 70s, he was a consistent hitmaker on the R&B; charts, with a high standard of quality control. His records were quintessential soul, with a bag of tricks learned from the likes of Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, and Sly Stone, all of whom Womack worked closely with at one time or another. Yet often, they also bore the stamp of Womacks own idiosyncratic personality, whether through a lengthy spoken philosophical monologue or a radical reinterpretation of a pop standard. An underrated guitarist, Womack helped pioneer a lean, minimalist approach similar to that of Curtis Mayfield, and was an early influence on the young Jimi Hendrix. Additionally, his songs have been recorded by numerous artists in the realms of both R&B; and rock, and the best of them rank as all-time classics. Bobby Dwayne Womack was born in Cleveland on March 4, 1944. His upbringing was strict and religious, but his father Friendly also encouraged his sons to pursue music as he had (he sang and played guitar in a gospel group). In the early 50s, while still a child, Bobby joined his siblings Cecil, Curtis, Harry, and Friendly Jr. to form the gospel quintet the Womack Brothers. They were chosen to open a local show for the Soul Stirrers in 1953, where Bobby befriended lead singer Sam Cooke; following this break, they toured the country as an opening act for numerous gospel groups. When Cooke formed his own SAR label, he recruited the Womack Brothers with an eye toward transforming them into a crossover R&B; act. Learning that his sons were moving into secular music, Friendly Womack threw them out of the house, and Cooke wired them the money to buy a car and drive out to his Los Angeles offices. The Womack Brothers made several recordings for SAR over 1960 and 1961, including a few gospel sides, but Cooke soon convinced them to record R&B; and renamed them the Valentinos. In 1962, they scored a Top Ten hit on the R&B; charts with "Lookin for a Love," and Cooke sent them on the road behind James Brown to serve a boot-camp-style musical apprenticeship. Bobby eventually joined Cookes backing band as guitarist. The Valentinos 1964 single "Its All Over Now," written by Bobby, was quickly covered by the Rolling Stones with Cookes blessing; when it became the Stones first U.K. number one, Womack suddenly found himself a rich man. Cookes tragic death in December 1964 left Womack greatly shaken and the Valentinos career in limbo. Just three months later, Womack married Cookes widow, Barbara Campbell, which earned him tremendous ill will in the R&B; community; many viewed him as a shady opportunist looking to cash in on Cookes legacy, especially since Campbell was significantly older than Womack. According to Womack, he was initially motivated to look after Campbell in an unstable time, not to tarnish the memory of a beloved mentor. Regardless, Womack found himself unable to get his solo career rolling in the wake of the scandal; singles for Chess ("I Found a True Love") and Him ("Nothing You Can Do") were avoided like the plague despite their quality. The Valentinos cut a couple of singles for Chess in 1966, "What About Me" and "Sweeter Than the Day Before," which also failed to make much of a splash. To make ends meet, Womack became a backing guitarist, first landing a job with Ray Charles; he went on to make a valuable connection in producer Chips Moman, and appeared often at Momans American Studio in Memphis, as well as nearby Muscle Shoals, Alabama. In the process, Womack appeared on classic recordings by the likes of Joe Tex, King Curtis, and Aretha Franklin (Lady Soul), among others. He recorded singles for Keymen and Atlantic without success, but became one of Wilson Picketts favorite songwriters, contributing the R&B; Top Ten hits "Im in Love" and "Im a Midnight Mover" (plus 15 other tunes) to the singers repertoire. Womack had been slated to record a solo album for Minit, but had given Pickett most of his best material, which actually wound up getting his name back in the public eye in a positive light. In 1968, he scored the first charting single of his solo career with "What Is This?" and soon hit with a string of inventively reimagined pop covers -- "Fly Me to the Moon," "California Dreamin," and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," the former two of which reached the R&B; Top 20. A songwriting partnership with engineer Darryl Carter resulted in the R&B; hits "Its Gonna Rain," "How I Miss You Baby," and "More Than I Can Stand" over 1969-1970. A series of label absorptions bumped Womack up to United Artists in 1971, which proved to be the home of his greatest solo success; in the meantime, he contributed the ballad "Trust Me" to Janis Joplins masterpiece Pearl, and the J. Geils Band revived "Lookin for a Love" for their first hit. He also teamed up with jazz guitarist Gabor Szabo on the LP High Contrast, which debuted Womacks composition "Breezin" (which, of course, became a smash for George Benson six years later). Most importantly, however, Womack played guitar on Sly & the Family Stones Theres a Riot Goin On, a masterpiece of darkly psychedelic funk that would have an impact on Womacks own sound and sense of style. Womack issued his first UA album, Communication, in 1971, which kicked off a string of excellent releases that ran through the first half of the decade. In addition to several of Womacks trademark pop covers, the album also contained the original ballad "Thats the Way I Feel About Cha," which climbed all the way to number two on the R&B; chart and became his long-awaited breakout hit. The 1972 follow-up Understanding spawned Womacks first chart-topper, "Womans Gotta Have It," co-written with Darryl Carter and stepdaughter Linda (Womack divorced Barbara Campbell in 1970). The follow-up "Harry Hippie," a gently ironic tribute to Womacks brother, also hit the R&B; Top Ten. Later that year, Womack scored the blaxploitation flick Across 110th Street; the title cut was later revived in the 1998 Quentin Tarantino film Jackie Brown. Released in 1973, The Facts of Life had an R&B; number two hit in a rearrangement of the perennial "Nobody Knows You When Youre Down and Out," and the following years Lookin for a Love Again found Womack revisiting his Valentinos hit; the re-recorded "Lookin for a Love" became his second number one R&B; single and his only Top Ten hit on the pop charts. Follow-up single "Youre Welcome, Stop on By" made the R&B; Top Five. Womack was by this time a seasoned veteran of the rock & roll lifestyle, having befriended the likes of the Rolling Stones, the late Janis Joplin, and Sly Stone. After his brother Harry was murdered by a jealous girlfriend in 1974 (in Bobbys own apartment), the drug usage began to take a more serious turn. Womack scored further R&B; Top Ten hits with 1975s "Check It Out" and 1976s "Daylight," the latter of which seemed to indicate a longing for escape from the nonstop partying that often masked serious depression. Despite Womacks new marriage to Regina Banks, the song was a sign that things were coming to a head. Womack pushed UA into letting him do a full album of country music, something hed always loved but which the label regarded as commercially inadvisable (especially under the title Womack reportedly wanted to use: Step Aside, Charley Pride, Give Another Nigger a Try). They eventually relented, and when BW Goes C&W met with predictably minimal response, UA palmed the increasingly difficult Womack off on Columbia. A pair of albums there failed to recapture his commercial momentum or reinvent him for the disco age, and he moved to Arista for 1979s Roads of Life, which appeared not long after the sudden death of his infant son. At a low point in his life, Womack took a bit of time off from music to gather himself. He appeared as a guest vocalist on Jazz Crusader Wilton Felders 1980 solo album, Inherit the Wind, singing the hit title track, and subsequently signed with black entrepreneur Otis Smiths independent Beverly Glen label. His label debut, 1981s The Poet, was a critically acclaimed left-field hit, rejuvenating his career and producing a number three R&B; hit with "If You Think Youre Lonely Now." Unfortunately, money disputes soured the relationship between Womack and Smith rather quickly. The Poet II was delayed until 1984, and featured several duets with Patti LaBelle, including another number three R&B; hit, "Love Has Finally Come at Last." Beverly Glen released a final LP culled from Womacks previous sessions, Someday Well All Be Free, in 1985, by which time the singer had already broken free and signed with MCA. Another hit with Wilton Felder, "(No Matter How High I Get) Ill Still Be Looking Up to You," appeared that year, and his label debut, So Many Rivers, produced a Top Five R&B; hit in "I Wish He Didnt Trust Me So Much." Released in 1986, Womagic reunited Womack with Chips Moman, and he also backed the Rolling Stones on their remake of "Harlem Shuffle." By the following year hed christened himself The Last Soul Man, which proved to be his final recording for MCA. In the following years, Womack made high-profile returns to the music business only sporadically. Released in 1994, Resurrection was recorded for Ron Woods Slide label and featured an array of guest stars including Wood, Keith Richards, Rod Stewart, and Stevie Wonder. In 1999, he fulfilled a longstanding promise to his father (who passed away in 1981) by delivering his first-ever gospel album, Back to My Roots. While he continued to perform throughout the following decade, his guest appearance on the 2010 Gorillaz album Plastic Beach seemed like a return. A couple years later, after being the subject of TV Ones Unsung documentary series, he released The Bravest Man in the Universe, a collaboration with the XL labels Richard Russell and Gorillazs Damon Albarn. However, Womack had experienced a number of health challenges in his latter years, and he died in June 2014 at the age of 70. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 46 Title: Fly Me to the Moon Released: 1968 Tracks: 12 Duration: 32:14 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) (02:08) 2 Baby! You Oughta Think It Over (02:40) 3 Im a Midnight Mover (02:03) 4 What Is This? (02:36) 5 Somebody Special (02:55) 6 Take Me (02:34) 7 Moonlight in Vermont (02:39) 8 Love, the Time Is Now (03:22) 9 Im in Love (02:45) 10 California Dreamin’ (03:20) 11 No Money in My Pocket (03:04) 12 Lillie Mae (02:06) |
| Fly Me to the Moon : Allmusic album Review : Debut album from the self-proclaimed "Last Soul Man," who earned his credentials as writer and composer of the Rolling Stones first U.K. number one. He was also one of the forces behind Sly & the Family Stones sultry classic Theres a Riot Going On. Derived from his 1987 album, this title of honor would have sounded pretentious employed by just anyone. However, with most of the true soul legends gone or lost in the 80s ozone of slick synthesized productions, Bobby Womack remained one of few who stayed true to their art. Like Bill Withers, Womack could be viewed as sort of a singer/songwriter by accident, who developed a genuine style of his own. His remarkable quality was brought back to memory through Quentin Tarantinos kind gesture of including him on the Jackie Brown soundtrack. Fly Me to the Moon (aka A Midnight Mover) is an impressive debut. It took Womack several years to come to the point of recording his own material, having first to shake off the untimely death of his mentor Sam Cooke. Based on the results, everything here sounds like he had been holding it back for this kind of raw soul explosion. A mere seven out of the ten tracks are Womack originals, two of which were written for ("Im in Love") or with (the title track) Wilson Pickett. His authentic rasp of a voice, combined with a superb production by Chips Moman, lend to Fly Me to the Moon the overall feeling of a Stax release. "You Oughta Think It Over," "What Is This," and "The Time Is Now" are as good as anything by either Sam & Dave or Pickett himself, if not better. His stunning version of "California Dreamin" tops this sublime effort. Womack makes the lyrics come alive in a way you can really smell those brown leaves and feel the chilly presence of a gray sky on a winters day. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 46 Title: My Prescription Released: 1970-02 Tracks: 12 Duration: 33:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 How I Miss You Baby (03:17) 2 More Than I Can Stand (02:50) 3 Its Gonna Rain (02:21) 4 Everyone’s Gone to the Moon (02:34) 5 I Cant Take It Like a Man (03:03) 6 I Left My Heart in San Francisco (02:21) 7 Arkansas State Prison (02:55) 8 I’m Gonna Forget About You (02:23) 9 Don’t Look Back (02:45) 10 Tried and Convicted (02:45) 11 Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) (02:08) 12 Thank You (04:05) |
| My Prescription : Allmusic album Review : Bobby Womacks second album on Minit Records rivals his first, Fly Me to the Moon. He establishes himself firmly in the mold of his contemporaries: Wilson Pickett, Don Covay, Johnnie Taylor, and other top soul men. An accomplished writer, Womacks never handicapped by poor material, but never hesitates to redo popular songs by other writers. He scores with a funky rendition of "Fly Me to the Moon" (taken from his debut Minit LP), and with poorer results (chart-wise), "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," though aesthetically its as funky as a bowl of hardened grits. He takes both easy listening songs far from their original molds. "How I Miss You Baby," "More Than I Can Stand," and Sam Cookes "Im Gonna Forget About You" made the rotations at R&B; stations across America for good reason -- they rock. Bobby "The Doctor" Womack fills this prescription and has you hankering for a refill. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 46 Title: Communication Released: 1971 Tracks: 8 Duration: 35:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Communication (04:42) 2 Come Lamore (03:02) 3 Fire and Rain (04:29) 4 If You Dont Want My Love, Give It Back (02:51) 5 Medley: Monologue / (They long to Be) Close to You (09:28) 6 Everything Is Beautiful (02:57) 7 That’s the Way I Feel About Cha (05:08) 8 Yield Not to Temptation (03:01) |
| Communication : Allmusic album Review : One of Bobby Womacks better albums, Communication is also one of the most stylistically varied. Several of the songs feature his trademark monologues, usually about love, although the one that precedes his version of the Carpenters "Close to You" is a diatribe against the music business ("Anything I can get into is commercial enough," he declares). "Communication" is a spare, sinuous funk workout which demonstrates that Womack had been playing close attention to James Browns recent work, and "Thats the Way I Feel About Cha," is a blues with strings (and was deservedly a hit). There are also a couple of unlikely covers -- an almost singalong version of Ray Stevens syrupy ode to tolerance "Everything Is Beautiful," and a melodramatic take on James Taylors "Fire and Rain." | ||
 | Album: 4 of 46 Title: Understanding Released: 1972 Tracks: 9 Duration: 35:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 I Can Understand It (06:29) 2 Woman’s Gotta Have It (03:28) 3 And I Love Her (02:46) 4 Got to Get You Back (02:54) 5 Simple Man (05:58) 6 Ruby Dean (03:27) 7 Thing Called Love (03:57) 8 Sweet Caroline (03:07) 9 Harry Hippie (03:48) |
| Understanding : Allmusic album Review : As compelling as Bobby Womacks lacerating baritone may be, it still has that uncanny ability to be an engaging voice. This album has that timeliness appeal. It features the chart-buster in the mid-tempo number "Womans Gotta Have It." It was a number one single on the Billboard R&B; charts. In addition to the aforementioned song, Womack also features a host of other granite numbers like "Ruby Dean" and "I Can Understand It." The latter, penned by Womack, was also covered by New Birth. Both versions are excellent. However, Womacks version has a soothing effect as it employs a sensuous string arrangement while New Births rendition is rather funky, retaining a spirited horn arrangement. Womacks version was never a release. "Harry Hippie" is a narrative about his brother and former bandmate Harris Womack. It checked in at number eight. The Ohio natives unique trait to calm a song with his blistering baritone re-surfaces on "Sweet Caroline," the albums third and final release. For a song to be so sweet and gentle, Womack enhances the flavor of this sentimental number with a heartfelt, soulful approach. It slipped into the Top 20 at 16. By all standards, this album is stirring. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 46 Title: Lookin for a Love Again Released: 1973 Tracks: 10 Duration: 31:09 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Lookin’ for a Love (02:37) 2 I Dont Wanna Be Hurt by Ya Love Again (03:24) 3 Doing It My Way (05:32) 4 Let It Hang Out (02:23) 5 Point of No Return (02:45) 6 You’re Welcome, Stop On By (03:43) 7 Youre Messing Up a Good Thing (02:35) 8 Dont Let Me Down (02:06) 9 Copper Kettle (03:19) 10 Theres One Thing That Beats Failing (02:44) |
| Lookin' for a Love Again : Allmusic album Review : Bobby Womack is one of the best soul singers of all time, bringing his songs to life with testimonial pleas and lacerating deliveries. The title track from 1974s Lookin for a Love Again gave the Cleveland native his second number one song. It held that position on the R&B; charts for three consecutive weeks and scaled the Top Ten on the pop charts as well. (His other number one song was "Womans Gotta Have It.") "Youre Welcome, Stop on By" was the second single. As with most of this soulmans numbers, this one has that irresistible, percolating rhythm augmented by Womacks wailing delivery. Whether Womack is strokin country & western rhythms, burnin a blues melody with his guitar, or expressing a painful confession with his trademark baritone, rest assured that the outcome is going to be nothing short of sizzlin. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 46 Title: Facts of Life Released: 1973 Tracks: 10 Duration: 34:03 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out (02:56) 2 I’m Through Trying to Prove My Love to You (03:48) 3 If You Cant Give Her Love, Give Her Up (02:48) 4 Thats Heaven to Me (02:51) 5 Holdin to My Babys Love / Nobody (03:13) 6 Fact of Life / He’ll Be There When the Sun Goes Down (06:17) 7 Cant Stop a Man in Love (02:24) 8 The Look of Love (03:33) 9 Natural Man (02:48) 10 All Along the Watchtower (03:21) |
 | Album: 7 of 46 Title: I Dont Know What the World Is Coming To Released: 1975 Tracks: 10 Duration: 40:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Interlude #1 / I Dont Know (03:15) 2 Superstar (03:33) 3 (If You Want My Love) Put Something Down on It (03:40) 4 Get It (04:22) 5 Whats Your World (05:11) 6 Check It Out (03:56) 7 Interlude #2 (03:49) 8 Jealous Love (05:46) 9 Its All Over Now (02:52) 10 Yes, Jesus Loves Me (04:19) |
 | Album: 8 of 46 Title: Safety Zone Released: 1975 Tracks: 8 Duration: 42:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Everything’s Gonna Be Alright (06:58) 2 I Wish It Would Rain (04:18) 3 Trust Me (03:50) 4 Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way (06:22) 5 Love Ain’t Something You Get for Free (03:24) 6 Something You Got (05:28) 7 Daylight (03:29) 8 I Feel a Groove Comin’ On (08:33) |
| Safety Zone : Allmusic album Review : During the early 70s, Womack was one of the most prolific and talented artists. With albums like Communication and Lookin For a Love Again, Womack quickly became one of the most prolific and talented singers in R&B;/pop. This albums predecessor, I Dont Know What The World Is Coming To, did show a slight decline in his Muscle Shoals sound and his writing skills. Safety Zone finds Womack getting a sonic overhaul whether he needed it or not. Produced by David Rubinson who was behind the boards for everyone from the Pointer Sisters to Herbie Hancock, it creates a slick, up to the minute style that may be too "perfect" for Womacks core fans. The albums first track, "Everythings Going to Be Alright," meanders and sets the standard for this albums pursuit of style over substance. The two covers, "Something You Got" and "I Wish It Would It Rain," both feature eccentric arrangements but Womacks vocals seem facile around the edges. As an album like the Facts of Life scored on his honesty throughout, Safety Zone only has two instances that come within striking distance. "Trust in Me," a self-written gem first recorded by his friend Janis Joplin, has Womacks gritty and wry vocal finally breaking free from the Rubinsons glossy production and arranging style. "Daylight" is one of Womacks best tracks. As Womack sings "The real set dont get started/Til every one else is in," you hear him conflicted, but not bothered enough to stop. For the track, Rubinsons offhanded grace made the song even stronger. The main problem with Safety Zone is that it doesnt possess the earthy and challenging productions of Womacks earlier 70s albums. He too often seems straitjacketed in an attempt to curb his eccentric nature. Fans of Womack no doubt will love the great tracks but will have little or no need for the rest. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 46 Title: BW Goes C&W Released: 1976 Tracks: 10 Duration: 27:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Dont Make This the Last Date for You and Me. (03:18) 2 Behind Closed Doors (02:31) 3 Bouquet of Roses (02:45) 4 Tired of Living in the Country (02:02) 5 Tarnished Rings (02:42) 6 Big Bayou (02:43) 7 Song of the Mockingbird (03:09) 8 Id Be Ahead If I Could Quit While Im Behind (02:35) 9 You (02:40) 10 I Take It on Home (03:18) |
 | Album: 10 of 46 Title: Home Is Where Heart Is Released: 1976 Tracks: 9 Duration: 33:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Home Is Where the Heart Is (03:17) 2 A Little Bit Salty (03:19) 3 Standing in the Safety Zone (05:11) 4 One More Chance on Love (06:31) 5 How Long (Has This Been Goin On) (02:51) 6 I Could Never Be Satisfied (02:19) 7 Something for My Head (02:59) 8 A Change Is Gonna Come (03:11) 9 Weve Only Just Begun (03:54) |
 | Album: 11 of 46 Title: Pieces Released: 1978 Tracks: 8 Duration: 34:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Its Party Time (04:11) 2 Trust Your Heart (03:57) 3 Stop Before We Start (03:28) 4 When Love Begins Friendship Ends (05:20) 5 Wind It Up (03:58) 6 Is This the Thanks I Get (03:19) 7 Caught Up in the Middle (05:21) 8 Never Let Nothing Get the Best of You (04:32) |
| Pieces : Allmusic album Review : Produced by Don Davis (Johnnie Taylor, the Dramatics), Bobby Womacks Pieces was released during discos peak. Aside from a couple of tracks aimed in the direction of the dancefloor, the album sticks closely to the singers soul music roots. Womack is joined by fellow soul veterans on a couple of tracks: David Ruffin (Davis produced his So Soon We Change and Gentleman Ruffin LPs) on the chugging single "Trust Your Heart" and Candi Staton on the ethereal ballad "Stop Before We Start." Womack has a way with songs about infidelity ("I Wish He Didnt Trust Me So Much"), and this skill is put to good use on the swaying "Caught Up in the Middle" and "When Love Begins Friendship Ends." | ||
 | Album: 12 of 46 Title: Roads of Life Released: 1979 Tracks: 8 Duration: 38:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Roads of Life (05:23) 2 How Could You Break My Heart (05:17) 3 Honey Dripper Boogie (04:48) 4 The Roots in Me (04:50) 5 What Are You Doin (04:29) 6 Give It Up (04:38) 7 Mr. DJ Dont Stop the Music (05:17) 8 I Honestly Love You (03:53) |
 | Album: 13 of 46 Title: The Poet Released: 1981 Tracks: 10 Duration: 47:11 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 So Many Sides of You (03:46) 2 Lay Your Lovin On Me (04:04) 3 Secrets (03:53) 4 Just My Imagination (05:07) 5 Stand Up (03:32) 6 Games (06:51) 7 If You Think Youre Lonely Now (05:31) 8 Where Do We Go From Here (06:39) 9 Games (acoustic) (04:42) 10 Secrets (acoustic) (03:05) |
| The Poet : Allmusic album Review : Eschewing the orchestrated sound that dominated much of his 1970s output, the Across 110th Street soundtrack being the definitive example, with The Poet Womack stays in that slick vein, but this time does so with a soft jazz feel. Workouts like "Where Do We Go from Here" contain long intros and codas with Womacks gruff vocal style trading off with the silky voices of a female choir; on "So Many Sides of You," one of the more rollicking songs on the record, the piano, drums, and Nathan Easts bass are as crisp as a new dollar bill. A bonus, aside from the songs, is the great cover art, which shows Womack decked out in a lavender sports coat and a pair of sunglasses, which only someone of his soulful grace could pull off. | ||
 | Album: 14 of 46 Title: The Poet II Released: 1984 Tracks: 9 Duration: 41:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Love Has Finally Come At Last (05:32) 2 It Takes a Lot of Strength to Say Goodbye (03:51) 3 Through The Eyes Of A Child (05:13) 4 Surprise Surprise (03:37) 5 Tryin to Get Over You (04:13) 6 Tell Me Why (06:10) 7 Whos Foolin Who (04:02) 8 I Wish I Had Someone to Go Home To (03:41) 9 American Dream (04:42) |
| The Poet II : Allmusic album Review : Though Bobby Womacks in great voice, The Poet II doesnt quite hit the same heights as The Poet, which successfully executed ideas Womack had been tinkering with since 1979s Roads of Life. This seeks the success The Poet got by surprise. Womacks skill is his pragmatic take on relationships, but on The Poet II his aim is a little off. "Love Has Finally Come at Last" is the first of three duets with Patti LaBelle. The duet idea works better on "It Takes a Lot of Strength to Say Goodbye"; it sounds better suited for two singers, and the dramatic arrangement and chemistry between Womack and LaBelle are strong but not that exciting. The Poet II also features some over-produced though skillful dance tracks. "Tell Me Why" is effective and has Womack asking why his relationship is failing and uses his children as pawns when he sings, "You dont have to do it for me/But do it for the sake of the kids." By the end of the album, Womacks lack of winning premises starts to catch up with him. "I Wish I Had Someone to Come Home To" has him sounding a little phony with lyrics like "Aint no way this lonely man can seem to win." Fans of Womack know hed think up something to do. The efforts last track, "American Dream," features snippets of Martin Luther Kings "I Have a Dream" speech. With its so-so lyrics and plodding arrangement, it just falls apart within the first two minutes. The Poet II is no doubt a good Bobby Womack album, but it is clear that he can do much better. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 46 Title: So Many Rivers Released: 1985 Tracks: 11 Duration: 47:35 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Wish He Didnt Trust Me So Much (03:56) 2 So Baby, Dont Leave Home Without It (04:04) 3 So Many Rivers (04:23) 4 Got to Be With You Tonight (04:03) 5 Gypsy Woman (04:24) 6 Whatever Happened to the Times (04:16) 7 Let Me Kiss It Where It Hurts (04:46) 8 Only Survivor (03:43) 9 Thats Where It Is (03:42) 10 Check It Out (03:48) 11 Whatever Happened to the Times (extended mix) (06:25) |
 | Album: 16 of 46 Title: Someday Well All Be Free Released: 1985 Tracks: 9 Duration: 39:40 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Im So Proud (04:59) 2 Someday Well All Be Free (06:15) 3 Gifted One (04:25) 4 Falling in Love Again (05:22) 5 Searching for My Love (03:42) 6 In Over My Heart (03:47) 7 I Wish I Had Someone to Go Home To (03:40) 8 Someday Well All Be Free (Acoustic) (04:47) 9 Gifted One (Acoustic) (02:43) |
| Someday We'll All Be Free : Allmusic album Review : The mid-80s album Someday Well All Be Free was actually comprised of outtakes from two earlier Bobby Womack albums on the Beverly Glen label, The Poet and The Poet II. It might not be as strong and consistent as those records, but if you do like those two albums, youll probably like this as well. It has the same smooth soul feel, though like the rest of his output from this era, its nothing to get excited about, in the context of soul music or within Womacks own large body of work. It tends toward the silky ballads, with the exception of the up-tempo verging-on-dance number "Falling in Love Again." The presence of covers of songs by Donny Hathaway ("Someday Well All Be Free") and Bobby Moore (a vocoder-blemished "Searching for My Love") might be indicative of the leftover nature of these tracks: unembarrassing, but nothing to stand with the artists better work, in this era or others. | ||
 | Album: 17 of 46 Title: Womagic Released: 1986 Tracks: 9 Duration: 38:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Wanna Make Love to You (04:26) 2 When the Weekend Comes (05:39) 3 The Things We Do (When Were Lonely) (03:57) 4 I Cant Stay Mad (04:17) 5 Cant Cha Hear the Children Calling (04:38) 6 Outside Myself (03:21) 7 I Aint Got to Love Nobody Else (03:24) 8 More Than Love (03:32) 9 It Aint Me (04:46) |
 | Album: 18 of 46 Title: The Last Soul Man Released: 1987 Tracks: 10 Duration: 44:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Living In A Box (04:45) 2 When The Weekend Comes (04:15) 3 I Still Love You (04:42) 4 Gina (05:05) 5 A World Where No One Cries (04:45) 6 A Woman Like To Hear That (04:27) 7 Real Love Please Stand Up (03:44) 8 The Things We Do (When Were Lonely) (04:25) 9 Falling In Love Again (04:22) 10 Outside Myself (04:19) |
 | Album: 19 of 46 Title: Save the Children Released: 1989 Tracks: 10 Duration: 48:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Save the Children (06:30) 2 Priorities (05:23) 3 Too Close for Comfort (04:49) 4 Baby Im Back (04:35) 5 Shes My Girl (03:56) 6 Freelove (06:01) 7 How Can It Be (04:38) 8 Tough Job (04:16) 9 Now Were Together (03:47) 10 Better Love (Everybodys Looking for a Better Love) (04:40) |
| Save the Children : Allmusic album Review : Save the Children was Bobby Womacks sole release for Dick Griffeys Solar Records. Produced by Womack, Keg Johnson, keyboardist Frank Hamilton, and Cecil and Kevin Womack, it was a pretty good attempt to update Womacks 60s soul-based sound while reflecting the influences of late-80s hip-hop and pop. Highlights include the snappy "Baby Im Back," "Shes My Girl," and the torchy duet "Now Were Together," but its on "Too Close For Comfort," a ballad co-written with H.T. Payne, that Womack comes closest to rekindling the kind of sound found on some of the best-known tracks. The title track (not to be confused with similarly named songs by Marvin Gaye and the Intruders) managed to chart R&B; in late 1989. Save the Children was reissued on CD by U.K. label Sequel in October 1999. Of special note is the title track of Eddie Murphys 1985 music album, How Could It Be, redone as the socially conscious "How Can It Be," a version of which can be found on the 1998 Sequel CD Soul Sensation. | ||
 | Album: 20 of 46 Title: Womack Winners Released: 1989 Tracks: 21 Duration: 1:13:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 What Is This? (02:34) 2 How I Miss You Baby (03:17) 3 More Than I Can Stand (02:50) 4 Communication (04:42) 5 That’s the Way I Feel About Cha (05:08) 6 If You Dont Want My Love, Give It Back (02:51) 7 I Can Understand (04:05) 8 Woman’s Gotta Have It (03:28) 9 Harry Hippe (03:50) 10 Across 110th Street (03:50) 11 Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out (02:56) 12 I’m Through Trying to Prove My Love to You (03:48) 13 Lookin’ for a Love (02:37) 14 I Dont Wanna Be Hurt by Ya Love Again (03:24) 15 You’re Welcome, Stop On By (03:43) 16 I Dont Know (What the World Is Coming to) (03:14) 17 (If You Want My Love) Put Something Down on It (03:40) 18 Check It Out (03:50) 19 Its All Over Now (02:52) 20 Where Theres a Will. Theres a Way (03:03) 21 Daylight (03:29) |
 | Album: 21 of 46 Title: The Very Best of Bobby Womack 1968-1975 Released: 1991 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:07:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Can Understand It (04:06) 2 Harry Hippie (03:48) 3 Im a Midnight Mover (02:03) 4 What Is This (02:33) 5 Somebody Special (02:57) 6 That’s the Way I Feel About Cha (05:08) 7 Communication (04:42) 8 California Dreamin’ (03:20) 9 If You Dont Want My Love, Give It Back (02:51) 10 I Wish It Would Rain (04:20) 11 Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out (02:56) 12 Across 110th Street (03:50) 13 (If You Want My Love) Put Something Down on It (03:40) 14 Lookin’ for a Love (02:37) 15 I Dont Wanna Be Hurt by Ya Love Again (03:24) 16 Got to Get You Back (02:49) 17 Woman’s Gotta Have It (03:28) 18 Theres One Thing That Beats Failing (02:44) 19 Youre Messing Up a Good Thing (02:35) 20 Love Aint Something You Can Get for Free (03:23) |
| The Very Best of Bobby Womack 1968-1975 : Allmusic album Review : One of the better Bobby Womack anthologies around, The Very Best Of collects most of his biggest hits and most influential songs from the period (including his song for the film Across 110th Street) as well as the scathing "Harry Hippie" and the ballad "Womans Gotta Have It." In fact, this actually serves as possibly the best single-disc collection of Womack, since it not only contains his biggest hits (excepting the work he did in the early 80s), but its also much more concise and focused than the two-disc set Midnight Mover, and even has the edge over the single-disc collection Greatest Hits. Whats more, this collection also contains several cuts, including the soulful "Got to Get You Back" and the funk-laden "Theres One Thing That Beats Failing," that are not available on either of those. There may be some slight quibbles (and Womacks most famous composition, "Its All Over Now," falls out of the range of this collection, so it is not included), but as a sampler of Womacks work from his most productive period, The Very Best Of will please both newcomers and longtime fans. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 46 Title: In Muscle Shoals Released: 1992 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:10:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 I Cant Understand It (06:25) 2 Woman’s Gotta Have It (03:28) 3 And I Love Her (02:37) 4 Got to Get You Back (02:48) 5 Simple Man (05:46) 6 Ruby Dean (03:19) 7 Thing Called Love (03:37) 8 Sweet Caroline (03:07) 9 Communication (04:42) 10 Harry Hippie (03:48) 11 Come LAmore (02:53) 12 Fire and Rain (04:23) 13 Give It Back (02:43) 14 That’s the Way I Feel About Cha (05:08) 15 Medley: Monologue / (They Long to Be) Close to You (09:22) 16 Everything Is Beautiful (02:52) 17 Yield Not To Temptation (02:56) |
 | Album: 23 of 46 Title: The Best of Bobby Womack Released: 1992 Tracks: 10 Duration: 33:07 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) (02:08) 2 California Dreamin’ (03:20) 3 How I Miss You Baby (04:15) 4 More Than I Can Stand (02:51) 5 Thats the Way I Feel About Cha (03:41) 6 Woman’s Gotta Have It (03:28) 7 Harry Hippie (03:54) 8 Nobody Wants You When Youre Down and Out (02:59) 9 Looking for a Love (02:39) 10 Youre Welcome, Stop on By (03:46) |
 | Album: 24 of 46 Title: Midnight Mover: The Bobby Womack Collection Released: 1993 Tracks: 44 Duration: 2:31:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Im a Midnight Mover (02:03) 2 Broadway Walk (02:07) 3 What Is This (02:33) 4 Im in Love (02:45) 5 Somebody Special (02:55) 6 What You Gonna Do (When Your Love Is Gone) (02:05) 7 How I Miss You Baby (03:17) 8 More Than I Can Stand (02:50) 9 I Cant Take It Like a Man (03:03) 10 Laughing and Clowning (live) (03:48) 11 Its Gonna Rain (02:21) 12 Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) (02:08) 13 I Left My Heart in San Francisco (02:21) 14 Arkansas State Prison (02:55) 15 Come Lamore (03:02) 16 If You Dont Want My Love, Give It Back (02:51) 17 Thats the Way I Feel About Cha (03:36) 18 Communication (04:42) 19 I Can Understand It (04:06) 20 Woman’s Gotta Have It (03:28) 21 Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good) (03:08) 22 Harry Hippie (03:48) 23 The Preacher / More Than I Can Stand (live) (10:35) 1 Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out (02:56) 2 Across 110th Street (03:50) 3 Fact of Life / He’ll Be There When the Sun Goes Down (06:17) 4 I’m Through Trying to Prove My Love to You (03:48) 5 If You Cant Give Her Love, Give Her Up (02:48) 6 Holdin on to My Babys Love (02:23) 7 Thats Heaven to Me (02:51) 8 Lookin’ for a Love (02:37) 9 I Dont Wanna Be Hurt by Ya Again (03:27) 10 You’re Welcome, Stop On By (03:43) 11 Interlude #1 / I Dont Know (03:15) 12 (If You Want My Love) Put Something Down on It (03:40) 13 Check It Out (03:50) 14 Its All Over Now (02:52) 15 Tarnished Rings (02:42) 16 Trust in Me (03:53) 17 Everythings Gonna Be Alright (04:05) 18 Where Theres a Will, Theres a Way (03:22) 19 Love Aint Something You Can Get for Free (03:23) 20 Daylight (03:29) 21 Jealous Love (05:46) |
| Midnight Mover: The Bobby Womack Collection : Allmusic album Review : Midnight Mover: The Bobby Womack Collection is a double-disc set offering 44 tracks from Womacks 1968-1976 stint with United Artists and its related labels. Early selections like "Im a Midnight Mover," "Im in Love," and "Broadway Walk" have Womack feeling his way with producer Chips Moman. After parting ways with Moman, Womack himself became one of the more skilled and inventive producers in the Muscle Shoals tradition. "Thats the Way I Feel About Cha" and "I Can Understand It" both have plaintive melodies and are punctuated by Womacks guitar skills plus his ever-broadening vocals. Disc two covers the years 1973-1976, during which time he had become an even bigger star with albums that were sagacious ruminations on love and life. From an effortlessly revamped and rock-fueled "Nobody Wants You (When Youre Down and Out) to his perfect cover of Sam Cookes "Thats Heaven to Me," Womacks interpretive skills were only matched by his rootsy yet polished productions. After the frisky "Check It Out," Womack seemed preoccupied with the darker side of love with a little religion on the side to confuse things. Tracks like "Jealous Love" and "Interlude #1/I Dont Know" have the message and meaning slipping through his fingers. Midnight Mover is a flawless anthology. | ||
 | Album: 25 of 46 Title: Resurrection Released: 1994 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:07:14 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Good Ole Days (04:09) 2 You Made Me Love Again (04:11) 3 So High On Your Love (04:54) 4 Dont Break Your Promise (Too Soon) (04:59) 5 Forever Love (04:44) 6 Please Dont Change Your Mind (03:46) 7 Trying Not To Break Down (05:26) 8 Cousin Henry (06:13) 9 Centerfield (04:33) 10 Goin Home (05:46) 11 Walkin On The Wild Side (04:59) 12 Cry Myself To Sleep (03:44) 13 Wish (05:13) 14 Color Him Father (04:30) |
 | Album: 26 of 46 Title: I Feel A Groove Comin On Released: 1995 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:09:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Lets Get Together (02:10) 2 Broadway Walk (02:05) 3 What Is This (02:31) 4 Im A Midnight Mover (02:00) 5 Communication (04:41) 6 I Can Understand It (06:27) 7 Hang On In There (02:24) 8 Cant Stop A Man In Love (02:19) 9 Let It Hang Out (02:21) 10 Check It Out (03:47) 11 Daylight (03:28) 12 I Feel A Groove Comin On (08:35) 13 So Many Sides Of You (03:42) 14 Secrets (03:50) 15 Stand Up (03:28) 16 Tryin To Get Over You (04:08) 17 Tell Me Why (06:07) 18 Falling In Love Again (05:21) |
 | Album: 27 of 46 Title: Only Survivor-The MCA Years Released: 1996 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:09:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Wish He Didnt Trust Me So Much (04:19) 2 Wanna Make Love to You (04:22) 3 Thats Where Its At (04:14) 4 The Truth Song (05:24) 5 Let Me Kiss It Where It Hurts (04:16) 6 A Woman Likes to Hear That (04:27) 7 So Many Rivers (04:57) 8 A World Where No One Cries (04:47) 9 Living in a Box (04:45) 10 I Aint Got to Love Nobody (03:21) 11 When the Weekend Comes (05:36) 12 Only Survivor (04:39) 13 Inherit the Wind (06:55) 14 No Matter How High I Get (07:01) |
| Only Survivor-The MCA Years : Allmusic album Review : The title track of this retrospective of Bobby Womacks three-year tenure with MCA Records should be taken both literally (the album is, on some level, a testament to his artistic longevity) and with a grain of salt (two of the songs, done with Jazz Crusader Wilton Felder, predate Womacks MCA stint by almost five years). In any case, the album is a terrific showcase for Womacks formidable talents. Highlights include a funky remake of the British hit "Living in a Box," (originally by the group of the same name) and a gorgeous gospel-ish version of "Thats Where Its At," (originally done by Womacks mentor Sam Cooke). | ||
 | Album: 28 of 46 Title: The Soul of Bobby Womack: Stop On By Released: 1996-10-29 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:03:25 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Daylight (03:29) 2 I Can Understand It (06:29) 3 You’re Welcome, Stop On By (03:43) 4 Harry Hippie (03:48) 5 Jealous Love (05:46) 6 Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out (02:56) 7 Across 110th Street (demo version) (03:39) 8 Across 110th Street (03:50) 9 Fact of Life / He’ll Be There When the Sun Goes Down (06:17) 10 That’s the Way I Feel About Cha (05:08) 11 Woman’s Gotta Have It (03:28) 12 I’m Through Trying to Prove My Love to You (03:48) 13 Communication (04:42) 14 (If You Want My Love) Put Something Down on It (03:40) 15 Lookin’ for a Love (02:37) |
| The Soul of Bobby Womack: Stop On By : Allmusic album Review : Whether you love him or hate him, Bobby Womack is one hell of a soul singer. Grown out by his mentor Sam Cooke, Womack became one of the true stylists of his generation, and one of the few with staying power. Only Barry White and the late Curtis Mayfield could make the same claim. This 1996 EMI compilation features 15 tracks from Womacks most creative period, 1970-1975, and features one unreleased demo version of the classic "Across 110th Street." Here is Womack the funk/soul poet digging deep into the longer jams like "I Can Understand It," "Jealous Love," and "Communication," along with his more conventional singles like "Nobody Wants You When Youre Down And Out," "Thats The Way I Feel About Cha," "Youre Welcome, Stop On By," and others, all of which charted on both the R&B charts and the pop charts. These tracks are culled form such memorable albums as Understanding, Facts of Life, What the World Is Coming To, Lookin for a Love Again, Communication, and others. All of them were made with musicians of the caliber of Herbie Hancock, Chuck Rainey, Jimmy Johnson, Leon Ware, Wah Wah Watson, Willie Weeks, and singers like Pam Grier (really, that one), the Pointer Sisters, Bill Withers, and many more. Such is the depth of this compilation, listeners will be tempted to play it twice just to believe what they just heard. The tunes groove, shimmy, streak, sway, and pump along, one after another, in a blissfully funky mix that kicks ass on most soul comps by various artists from the same era. | ||
 | Album: 29 of 46 Title: The Masters Released: 1997 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:11:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Lookin’ for a Love (02:37) 2 Its All Over Now (02:52) 3 Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) (02:08) 4 California Dreamin’ (03:20) 5 I Left My Heart in San Francisco (02:21) 6 Harry Hippie (03:48) 7 Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good) (03:08) 8 Across 110th Street (03:50) 9 Love Has Finally Come at Last (05:29) 10 Its Gonna Rain (02:21) 11 How I Miss You Baby (03:17) 12 The Preacher (06:03) 13 More Than I Could Stand (02:51) 14 You’re Welcome, Stop On By (03:43) 15 All Along the Watchtower (03:21) 16 Just My Imagination (05:04) 17 Tell Me Why (06:07) 18 Check It Out (03:50) 19 Where Theres a Will. Theres a Way (03:03) 20 Im a Midnight Mover (02:03) |
| The Masters : Allmusic album Review : The Masters is a pretty thorough overview of Bobby Womacks career, at two discs and 36 tracks containing all the essential items. However, it isnt quite as good as the two-disc Midnight Mover collection, which features eight more songs and better packaging and liner notes. | ||
 | Album: 30 of 46 Title: His Greatest Hits Released: 1998 Tracks: 33 Duration: 1:58:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Across 110th Street (03:50) 2 I Can Understand It (06:29) 3 Thats the Way I Feel About cha (03:12) 4 California Dreamin’ (03:20) 5 All Along the Watchtower (03:21) 6 Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) (02:08) 7 Harry Hippie (03:48) 8 And I Love Her (02:41) 9 You’re Welcome, Stop On By (03:43) 10 Tell Me Why (06:08) 11 Harlem Clavinette (02:15) 12 Love Has Finally Come at Last (05:30) 13 Sweet Caroline (03:07) 14 Lookin’ for a Love (02:37) 15 Woman’s Gotta Have It (03:29) 16 Hang on in There (instrumental) (02:54) 17 Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out (02:56) 18 Fire and Rain (04:29) 19 (If You Want My Love) Put Something Down on It (03:40) 20 If You Dont Want My Love (03:11) 21 Quicksand (01:41) 22 I Feel a Groove Comin’ On (08:33) 23 Communication (04:42) 24 Im a Midnight Mover (02:03) 25 Love, the Time Is Now (03:20) 26 I Wish I Had Someone to Go Home To (03:41) 27 The Look of Love (03:33) 28 Its All Over Now (02:50) 29 Harlem Love Theme (03:11) 30 Everything Is Beautiful (02:57) 31 More Than I Can Stand (02:50) 32 Come Lamore (03:02) 33 Tarnished Rings (02:42) |
 | Album: 31 of 46 Title: I Still Love You Released: 1998 Tracks: 10 Duration: 44:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Living in a Box (04:46) 2 When the Weekend Comes (04:48) 3 I Still Love You (04:43) 4 Falling in Love Again (04:22) 5 A Woman Likes to Hear Tgat (04:29) 6 Real Love Please Stand Up (03:51) 7 The Things We Do (When Were Lonely) (04:28) 8 Gina (05:07) 9 I Wish He Didnt Trust Me So Much (03:53) 10 Got to Be With You Tonight (03:59) |
| I Still Love You : Allmusic album Review : I STILL LOVE YOU is a nicely chosen retrospective culled from Bobby Womacks mid-80s tenure with MCA Records, with songs originally released on THE LAST SOUL MAN, WOMAGIC, and SO MANY RIVERS. Its a terrific showcase for Womacks formidable talents. Highlights include a funky remake of the British hit "Living in a Box," (originally by the group of the same name), the eminently danceable title song, and the brilliant cheating ballad "I Wish He Didnt Trust Me So Much." Theres also a duet with old pal Sly Stone (the latter in one of his periodic comeback attempts), "When the Weekend Comes," which features some of Womacks fiercest lead guitar work. | ||
 | Album: 32 of 46 Title: At Home in Muscle Shoals Released: 1998 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:01:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Standing in the Safety Zone (05:11) 2 Trust Your Heart (03:55) 3 Stop Before We Start (03:27) 4 Weve Only Just Begun (03:54) 5 Home Is Where the Heart Is (03:17) 6 Just a Little Bit Salty (03:17) 7 When Love Begins Friendship Ends (05:19) 8 Never Let Nothing Get the Best of You (04:32) 9 Caught Up in the Middle (05:21) 10 Is This the Thanks I Get (03:19) 11 One More Chance on Love (06:31) 12 A Change Is Gonna Come (03:11) 13 How Long (Has This Been Goin On) (02:51) 14 It’s Party Time (04:10) 15 Something for My Head (02:59) |
| At Home in Muscle Shoals : Allmusic album Review : The first CD hits package to focus on Bobby Womacks Muscle Shoals recordings of the late 70s and 80s, At Home in Muscle Shoals is a 15-track collection including "Trust Your Heart" and "Stop Before We Start," a duet with Candi Staton. | ||
 | Album: 33 of 46 Title: Facts of Life / I Dont Know What the World Is Coming To Released: 1998 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:14:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out (02:56) 2 I’m Through Trying to Prove My Love to You (03:48) 3 If You Cant Give Her Love, Give Her Up (02:48) 4 Thats Heaven to Me (02:51) 5 Holdin on to My Babys Love / Nobody (03:10) 6 Fact of Life / He’ll Be There When the Sun Goes Down (06:17) 7 Cant Stop a Man in Love (02:22) 8 The Look of Love (03:33) 9 A Natural Man (02:44) 10 All Along the Watchtower (03:21) 11 Interlude No1 / I Dont Know (03:14) 12 Superstar (03:36) 13 If You Want My Love, Put Something Down on It (03:43) 14 Git It (04:23) 15 Whats Your World (05:14) 16 Check It Out (03:50) 17 Interlude No2 (03:51) 18 Jealous Love (05:46) 19 Its All Over Now (02:55) 20 Yes, Jesus Loves Me (04:23) |
 | Album: 34 of 46 Title: Back 2 Back Hits Released: 1999 Tracks: 10 Duration: 32:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Lets Stay Together (live) (03:54) 2 You Ought to Be With Me (03:19) 3 Lets Get Married (03:23) 4 I Cant Get Next to You (03:53) 5 Keep Me Cryin (03:08) 6 Oh How I Miss You Baby (03:08) 7 Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out (02:56) 8 Daylight (03:29) 9 Its All Over Now (02:55) 10 Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) (02:08) |
 | Album: 35 of 46 Title: Back to My Roots Released: 1999 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:11:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Opening Narration (01:20) 2 Rug (05:16) 3 Stand by Me (02:41) 4 Oh Happy Day (07:07) 5 Jesus Be a Fence Around Me (03:19) 6 What a Friend We Have in Jesus (03:21) 7 Where Theres a Will Theres a Way (03:36) 8 Im Coming Home (03:26) 9 It Is Well (04:50) 10 Motherless Child (05:23) 11 Bridge Over Troubled Water (04:21) 12 Looking Back (03:29) 13 Ease My Troubled Mind (05:15) 14 Nearer My God to Thee (04:58) 15 Cousin Henry (05:45) 16 A Hundred Pounds of Clay (04:12) 17 Amen / This Little Light of Mine / Closing Narration (03:30) |
| Back to My Roots : Allmusic album Review : Soul/R&B; legend Bobby Womack is definitely a man whos paid his dues -- as the writer of such classics as "Its All Over Now" (covered by the Stones), "Lookin for a Love" (covered by J. Geils) and the guitarist on Sly Stones chestnut "Family Affair" and Wilson Picketts mover "Funky Broadway," he has all the prerequisites for a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. After leaving his strictly religious fathers home in the late 50s, (with a car bought for them by Sam Cooke) Bobby and the Womack Brothers set out to conquer popular radio, using their church-bred voices and down-home, bluesy stylings to twist and change genres they hadnt even heard of yet. Back to My Roots finds Womack doing just that, singing some of his favorite gospel numbers, while retaining some of that old fire that made him so popular with the white youth of America and Britain in the 60s. Enlisting the aid of James W. Alexander (Sam Cookes partner and a former member of the Pilgrim Travelers gospel group) to introduce and close the album, Womack dedicated this work to his father, who unfortunately died before he got a chance to hear the finished product, as did Alexander. With versions of "Rug" (one of his 60s hits), "Motherless Child" and the Staple Singers classic "Oh Happy Day," this album showcases Womacks love of all styles and genres, from country pickin to funky, bluesy breakdowns, to choir-esque, baptismal uber-joy. The opening lines of the first track, "Rug," say it all: "Now Im sitting here reminiscing about the good old days/Singing gospel music with my brothers/We called ourselves the Womack Brothers/Before we were ever born, my father prayed for five sons, he said, "God, if you bless me with them, I will teach them to sing your praises"/Well, he got his wish, not knowing that we would want the material things in life/I remember the first time I told my father I was going to sing rock and roll; thats the first time I saw my daddy cry/I remember him saying, "What does it profit a man to gain the world, and lose his soul?/And I know now, absolutely nothing." | ||
 | Album: 36 of 46 Title: Traditions Released: 1999-11-04 Tracks: 17 Duration: 59:08 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Dear Santa Claus (Adult version) (03:50) 2 This Christmas (03:28) 3 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (04:21) 4 Christmas Ain’t Christmas (02:59) 5 White Christmas (03:13) 6 The First Noel (02:53) 7 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (02:30) 8 The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) (05:13) 9 Silent Night (03:47) 10 Jingle Bells (02:58) 11 Dear Santa Claus (Children’s version) (03:38) 12 Winter Wonderland (03:05) 13 O Holy Night (03:21) 14 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (03:06) 15 Away in a Manger (02:52) 16 Joy to the World (02:59) 17 Auld Lang Syne (04:55) |
 | Album: 37 of 46 Title: Greatest Hits Released: 1999-12-25 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:04:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Lookin’ for a Love (02:37) 2 Check It Out (03:50) 3 You’re Welcome, Stop On By (03:43) 4 Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good) (03:08) 5 Aint Nothin Like the Lovin We Got (04:46) 6 Thats the Way I Feel About cha (03:38) 7 The Preacher/More Than I Can Stand (06:25) 8 I’m Through Trying to Prove My Love to You (03:48) 9 Its All Over Now (02:52) 10 How I Miss You Baby (03:17) 11 Daylight (03:33) 12 Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out (02:56) 13 Woman’s Gotta Have It (03:28) 14 If You Cant Give Her Love, Give Her Up (02:48) 15 Harry Hippie (03:48) 16 Save the Children (06:32) 17 Somebody Special (02:55) |
| Greatest Hits : Allmusic album Review : Compiling virtually all of Bobby Womacks best recordings, this 19-track expansion of Capitols 1990 Greatest Hits is a solid, though slightly flawed, alternative to the occasionally exhaustive two-disc set Midnight Mover. The disc spans most of his career -- from the late 60s through his 70s breakout and on into the 80s -- though nearly all of it dates from the 70s, his brilliant period recording for United Artists. Few songs better exemplify Womacks raw, straining delivery and funky, forthright songwriting than his big R&B hits "Thats the Way I Feel About Cha" and "Womans Gotta Have It," while the tough rocker "Its All over Now" illustrates his enviable range. An extended live track, "The Preacher/More Than I Can Stand," shows how Bobby Womack the songwriter, sessionman, or recording artist could occasionally be upstaged by Bobby Womack the testifying live performer, and his proficiency at interpreting standards ("Nobody Wants You When Youre Down and Out" and "Home Is Where the Heart Is") is assured as well. The only failure of Greatest Hits -- and its a big one -- is that it doesnt include Womacks blaxploitation nugget "Across 110th Street," not a big hit but one of his best performances and a song hes become increasingly identified with (after its reuse in the 1997 film Jackie Brown). Also, there are a few other cant-miss tracks not heard here that the two-disc Midnight Mover wisely included: "Im a Midnight Mover," "What Is This?," "Its Gonna Rain," and "Arkansas State Prison." Heres the upshot: for those who dont need two discs of Bobby Womack, Greatest Hits is an acceptable substitute. | ||
 | Album: 38 of 46 Title: Soul Brother Released: 2000-01-17 Tracks: 16 Duration: 56:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 What Is This (02:33) 2 Im a Midnight Mover (02:03) 3 (If You Want My Love) Put Something Down on It (03:40) 4 Dont Look Back (02:48) 5 How I Miss You Baby (03:17) 6 Im Gonna Forget About You (02:27) 7 I Can Understand It (04:06) 8 You’re Welcome, Stop On By (03:43) 9 I’m Through Trying to Prove My Love to You (03:48) 10 I Dont Wanna Be Hurt by Ya Love Again (03:24) 11 Check It Out (03:50) 12 So Many Sides of You (03:46) 13 Where Theres a Will. Theres a Way (03:03) 14 Across 110th Street (03:50) 15 Just My Imagination (05:07) 16 If You Think Youre Lonely Now (05:31) |
 | Album: 39 of 46 Title: Very Best Of Released: 2000-03-20 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:06:35 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) (02:08) 2 California Dreamin’ (03:20) 3 How I Miss You Baby (03:16) 4 More Than I Can Stand (04:38) 5 That’s the Way I Feel About Cha (05:08) 6 Woman’s Gotta Have It (03:28) 7 Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good) (03:08) 8 Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out (02:56) 9 You’re Welcome, Stop On By (03:43) 10 Harry Hippie (03:48) 11 Across 110th Street (03:50) 12 All Along the Watchtower (03:21) 13 Lookin’ for a Love (02:37) 14 Check It Out (03:50) 15 Its All Over Now (02:49) 16 Daylight (03:29) 17 If You Think Youre Lonely Now (05:28) 18 Love Has Finally Come at Last (05:33) |
 | Album: 40 of 46 Title: Poetry in Motion Released: 2000-06-05 Tracks: 36 Duration: 2:20:08 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) (02:08) 2 Its All Over Now (02:52) 3 California Dreamin’ (03:20) 4 Im a Midnight Mover (02:03) 5 Baby You Ought to Think It Over (02:36) 6 How I Miss You Baby (03:17) 7 Tried and Convicted (02:48) 8 More Than I Can Stand (02:50) 9 That’s the Way I Feel About Cha (05:08) 10 Woman’s Gotta Have It (03:28) 11 If You Dont Want My Love, Give It Back (02:51) 12 Harry Hippie (03:48) 13 Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good) (03:08) 14 What Is This (02:33) 15 Im Gonna Forget About You (02:27) 16 Across 110th Street (03:50) 17 Hang on in There (02:25) 18 Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out (02:56) 19 I’m Through Trying to Prove My Love to You (03:48) 20 Lookin’ for a Love (02:37) 21 You’re Welcome, Stop On By (03:43) 1 Check It Out (03:50) 2 So Many Sides Of You (03:44) 3 Secrets (03:50) 4 Just My Imagination (05:07) 5 If You Think Youre Lonely (05:30) 6 Where Do We Go From Here (06:39) 7 Love Has Finally Come At Last (05:32) 8 Through The Eyes Of A Child (05:13) 9 Surprise Surprise (03:37) 10 Whos Foolin Who (04:02) 11 I Wish I Had Someone To Go Home To (03:41) 12 Someday Well All Be Free (06:15) 13 Im So Proud (05:00) 14 I Feel A Groove Comin On (08:38) 15 American Dream (04:42) |
| Poetry in Motion : Allmusic album Review : Bobby Womack bills himself as The Last Soul Man, a title he has earned every right to wear. A fine songwriter and tasteful guitarist who possesses a strong, gritty voice, he has been turning out his brand of urban gospel-soul for more than 40 years, beginning with the single "Lookin for a Love" in 1962. This two-disc retrospective covers his career from "Lookin for a Love" and its follow-up, "Its All Over Now" (later a hit for the Rolling Stones), through imaginative covers ("Fly Me to the Moon," "California Dreamin"), his big early-70s singles ("Thats the Way I Feel About Cha," "Womans Gotta Have It") and his blaxploitation hit, "Across 110th Street," the title song from the film. Imagine the powerful voice of a Wilson Pickett coupled with the subtle grace of a Marvin Gaye (or Sam Cooke, Womacks mentor) and add Curtis Mayfield on guitar, and you get the recipe for The Last Soul Man. That Womack is still relatively unknown to the general public is baffling, since his body of work stands up to any in the pop-soul arena. | ||
 | Album: 41 of 46 Title: The Best of the Poet Trilogy Released: 2000-09-11 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:14:35 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 So Many Sides Of You (03:44) 2 Lay Your Lovin on Me (04:01) 3 Secrets (03:50) 4 Just My Imagination (05:07) 5 If You Think Youre Lonely Now (05:28) 6 Love Has Finally Come At Last (05:32) 7 Through The Eyes Of A Child (05:13) 8 Surprise Surprise (03:37) 9 Tryin to Get Over You (04:10) 10 Tell Me Why (06:03) 11 American Dream (04:42) 12 Im So Proud (05:00) 13 Someday Well All Be Free (06:15) 14 Gifted One (04:27) 15 Searching for My Love (03:43) 16 I Wish I Had Something to Go Home To (03:40) |
 | Album: 42 of 46 Title: 110th Street Released: 2001 Tracks: 15 Duration: 59:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Across 110th Street (03:50) 2 Everybodys Talkin (live) (03:14) 3 Fire and Rain (04:29) 4 Falling in Love Again (05:21) 5 Do It Right (03:09) 6 Everything Is Beautiful (02:56) 7 Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) (02:08) 8 Dont Look Back (02:47) 9 Doing It My Way (05:32) 10 Games (06:53) 11 Everythings Gonna Be Alright (07:04) 12 Dont Let Me Down (02:03) 13 Gifted One (04:27) 14 Everyones Gone to the Moon (02:37) 15 Dont Make This the Last Date for You and Me (03:19) |
 | Album: 43 of 46 Title: Anthology Released: 2003 Tracks: 44 Duration: 2:31:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Im a Midnight Mover (02:03) 2 Broadway Walk (02:07) 3 What Is This (02:33) 4 Im in Love (02:45) 5 Somebody Special (02:55) 6 What You Gonna Do (When Your Love Is Gone) (02:05) 7 How I Miss You Baby (03:17) 8 More Than I Can Stand (02:50) 9 I Cant Take It Like a Man (03:03) 10 Laughing and Clowning (live) (03:48) 11 Its Gonna Rain (02:21) 12 Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) (02:08) 13 I Left My Heart in San Francisco (02:21) 14 Arkansas State Prison (02:55) 15 Come Lamore (03:02) 16 If You Dont Want My Love, Give It Back (02:51) 17 That’s the Way I Feel About ’Cha (03:36) 18 Communication (04:42) 19 I Can Understand It (04:06) 20 Woman’s Gotta Have It (03:28) 21 Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good) (03:08) 22 Harry Hippie (03:48) 23 The Preacher / More Than I Can Stand (live) (10:35) 1 Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out (02:56) 2 Across 110th Street (03:50) 3 Fact of Life / He’ll Be There When the Sun Goes Down (06:17) 4 I’m Through Trying to Prove My Love to You (03:48) 5 If You Cant Give Her Love, Give Her Up (02:48) 6 Holdin on to My Babys Love (02:23) 7 Thats Heaven to Me (02:51) 8 Lookin’ for a Love (02:37) 9 I Dont Wanna Be Hurt by Ya Again (03:27) 10 You’re Welcome, Stop On By (03:43) 11 Interlude #1 / I Dont Know (03:15) 12 (If You Want My Love) Put Something Down on It (03:40) 13 Check It Out (03:50) 14 Its All Over Now (02:49) 15 Tarnished Rings (02:42) 16 Trust in Me (03:53) 17 Everythings Gonna Be Alright (04:05) 18 Where Theres a Will, Theres a Way (03:22) 19 Love Ain’t Something You Can Get for Free (03:24) 20 Daylight (03:29) 21 Jealous Love (05:46) |
| Anthology : Allmusic album Review : A repackaging of 1993s Midnight Mover: The Bobby Womack Collection, Anthology -- released by Capitols The Right Stuff subsidiary in 2003 -- is an excellent overview (cheapo identikit design aside) that features just about every significant moment of Womacks most productive years. All his biggest hits, including "Lookin for a Love," "Womans Gotta Have It," "Nobody Wants You When Youre Down and Out," "Daylight," and "Across 110th Street" are featured here, along with some album cuts that most casual fans will have no trouble appreciating. Short of picking up all the albums released during this era, you could not do any better. | ||
 | Album: 44 of 46 Title: The Collection Released: 2003-05-03 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:18:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Wish He Didn’t Trust Me So Much (04:19) 2 Let Me Kiss It Where It Hurts (04:15) 3 I Wanna Make Love to You (04:22) 4 When the Weekend Comes (05:35) 5 So Many Rivers (04:57) 6 Gypsy Woman (04:22) 7 Check It Out (03:48) 8 A Woman Likes to Hear That (04:27) 9 I Aint Got to Love Nobody Else (03:20) 10 Thats Where Its At (04:13) 11 A World Where No One Cries (04:47) 12 The Truth Song (05:23) 13 Got to Be With You Tonight (04:00) 14 Only Survivor (04:39) 15 Whatever Happened to the Times? (04:13) 16 Living in a Box (04:44) 17 Inherit the Wind (06:56) |
 | Album: 45 of 46 Title: Soul Sides Released: 2011 Tracks: 40 Duration: 2:16:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Across 110th Street (03:50) 2 Woman’s Gotta Have It (03:28) 3 That’s the Way I Feel About Cha (05:08) 4 Lookin’in for a Love (02:34) 5 You’re Welcome, Stop On By (03:43) 6 Daylight (03:29) 7 Check It Out (03:48) 8 Harry Hippie (03:48) 9 Where Theres a Will, Theres a Way (03:01) 10 Communication (04:42) 11 California Dreamin’ (03:20) 12 Its All Over Now (02:49) 13 Evereything’s Gonna Be Alright (07:04) 14 I Cant Take It Like a Man (03:03) 15 (If You Want My Love) Put Something Down on It (03:40) 16 I Don’t Wanna Be Hurt by Ya Love Again (03:22) 17 If You Don’t My Love (02:50) 18 Medley: Holdin’ On My Baby’s Love / Nobody (03:08) 1 Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out (02:56) 2 How I Miss You Baby (03:17) 3 Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) (02:08) 4 Sweet Caroline (03:07) 5 Interlude no. 1 / I Don’t Know (What’s the Word Coming to) (03:13) 6 More Than I Can Stand (02:50) 7 Im Gonna Forget About You (02:25) 8 What Is This (02:33) 9 Its Gonna Rain (02:21) 10 I Left My Heart in San Francisco (02:21) 11 Im a Midnight Mover (02:03) 12 I’m Through Trying to Prove My Love to You (03:48) 13 The Look of Love (03:33) 14 Im in Love (02:45) 15 I Can Understand It (06:29) 16 And I Love Her (02:41) 17 Comme l’amore (03:02) 18 Jealous Love (05:46) 19 All Along the Watchtower (03:21) 20 You’re Messing Up a Good Thing (02:33) 21 Everyone’s Gone to the Moon (02:36) 22 Something (live) (03:13) |
 | Album: 46 of 46 Title: The Bravest Man in the Universe Released: 2012-06-01 Tracks: 11 Duration: 37:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Bravest Man in the Universe (03:52) 2 Please Forgive My Heart (04:30) 3 Deep River (01:49) 4 Dayglo Reflection (04:18) 5 Whatever Happened to the Times (04:08) 6 Stupid Introlude (00:21) 7 Stupid (03:51) 8 If There Wasn’t Something There (04:38) 9 Love Is Gonna Lift You Up (03:43) 10 Nothin’ Can Save Ya (03:47) 11 Jubilee (Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around) (02:07) |
| The Bravest Man in the Universe : Allmusic album Review : Damon Albarn enlisted Bobby Womack to sing on Gorillazs 2010 album Plastic Beach, pushing the great soul singer back into action after a prolonged period of silence. Remarkably, the unlikely pair struck up a friendship, a partnership that led to 2012s The Bravest Man in the Universe, Womacks first album in 13 years. Signing with Richard Russells XL Records, Womack collaborated with his longtime cohort Harold Payne, Albarn, and Russell on this ghostly, skeletal soul collection, each man bringing his own signatures to the table. Russells beats intertwine with Albarns spectral chords, each evoking distinct memories of his past work, but even if there are clear antecedents in Russells production of Gil Scott-Heron or the futuristic funk oeuvre of Gorillaz, these two do not bend Womack to fit their needs: they free him to make a startlingly modern Bobby Womack album, one that harks back to such previous masterworks as Understanding and The Poet, albums that fully embodied both the singer and his times. And so it is with The Bravest Man in the Universe, an album that sounds like 2012 as much as it sounds like Womack: the rhythms belong to the modern world, the slow, shimmering grooves undeniably Womacks, as hes been specializing in this sound since the turn of the 70s. Initially, the most bracing elements of The Bravest Man in the Universe are those electronic flourishes from Russell and Albarn and, most of all, the power of Womacks singing. Hes showing signs of age -- his voice is etched and weathered -- but he sounds undiminished, both as a vocalist and as a man. This is not a quiet, mournful album about the dying of the light; this is about living in the moment, embracing age and modernity with equal enthusiasm. The past is present on The Bravest Man in the Universe -- nowhere more so than on "Dayglo Reflection," where a song by Womack mentor Sam Cooke is interpolated and chanteuse of the year Lana Del Rey is deployed as effectively ethereal counterpart, but Bobby covers the traditional "Deep River" and revives "Whatever Happened to the Times," a song he co-wrote with his old running partner Jim Ford -- although Womack is never beholden to time gone by; the old days are part of him, informing how hes facing the present, and theres nothing remotely approaching nostalgia here. For as haunting as parts of the album are, there is no fetishization of death on the parts of Albarn and Russell; even with a tinge of melancholy coloring the fringes of the album, this is an album that affirms the power of life, in all of its mess and glory. | ||