Don't Give Up on Love

by Don Bryant

Overview

Dedicated to wife Ann Peebles, Don't Give Up on Love is Don Bryant's first secular album since 1969, the same year he placed a co-writing credit on This Is Ann Peebles. Bryant also recorded several singles for Hi Records during the latter half of the '60s, but he settled into penning songs for other artists and spun some gold with his partner, exemplified by "I Can't Stand the Rain." Long after Bryant devoted all his musical energy to the church, Hi Rhythm Section drummer Howard Grimes persuaded the singer to perform with him in the Bo-Keys. Bryant's return to R&B felt so right that it led to Don't Give Up on Love. Recorded in Memphis with several of the Bo-Keys, including Grimes and fellow Hi veterans Charles Hodges (organ) and Hubby Turner (keyboards), as well as bandleader Scott Bomar (bass), it stays true to the tradition of late-'60s/early-'70s Memphis soul. Much of that has to do with the enduring might of Bryant's voice. It seizes attention on the opening cover of Vernon Morrison and Don Robey's "A Nickel and a Nail" -- popularized by O.V. Wright, for whom Bryant wrote material -- and seldom loosens its grip through a set that is mostly originals composed by Bryant either alone or with Bomar. Out of the new songs, "How Do I Get There" is the standout, a resolute hybrid of gospel, blues, and soul where Bryant sings about the promise of the afterlife. Bryant also goes all the way back to 1960 for an update of "I Got to Know," which he wrote for vocal group the "5" Royales, and revisits his "It Was Jealousy," recorded separately during the early '70s by Otis Clay and Peebles. This is one pleasant and pleasing surprise. ~ Andy Kellman

Product Details

Release Date:	05/12/2017
Label:	Fat Possum Records
UPC:	0767981160719

Tracks

1. A Nickel and a Nail
2. Something About You
3. It Was Jealousy
4. First You Cry
5. I Got To Know
6. Don't Give Up on Love
7. How Do I Get There
8. One Ain't Enough
9. Can't Hide the Hurt
10. What Kind of Love

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Don Bryant   Primary Artist
Jessie Munson   Strings
Yennifer Correia   Strings
Jennifer Puckett   Strings
Jonathan Kirkscey   Strings
Joe Restivo   Guitar
Scott Bomar   Bass
Archie Turner   Keyboards
Susan Marshall   Vocals
Kirk Smothers   Saxophone
Percy Wiggins   Vocals
Charles Hodges   Organ
Courtney Barnes   Vocals
Howard Grimes   Drums
Chris Barnes   Vocals
Danielle Hill   Vocals
John Paul Keith   Guitar

Technical Credits

Brad Blackwood   Mastering
Bruce Watson   Producer
Buddy Flett   Composer
Scott Bomar   Producer,Composer,Mixing
David Egan   Composer
Adam Hill   Engineer
Van Morrison   Composer
Robert Gordon   Liner Notes
Don Robey   Composer
Don Bryant   Composer
Kerri Mahoney   Package Design