Bobby Womack – Understanding (1972/2023) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Bobby Womack – Understanding (1972/2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 35:43 minutes | 822 MB | Genre: Soul
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © The Right Stuff

Understanding is the fourth studio album by American musician Bobby Womack. The album was released on March 30, 1972, by United Artists Records. Womack recorded Understanding in Memphis, Tennessee at American Sound Studio and in Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. At Muscle Shoals, he utilized top session players, including drummer Roger Hawkins, guitarists Jimmy Johnson and Tippy Armstrong, bassist David Hood and keyboardist Barry Beckett.

The album reached No. 43 on the Billboard pop albums chart and No. 7 on the R&B albums chart. One of the key songs from the album, “I Can Understand It”, has become a soul classic and was a major hit for New Birth the following year. The song was also covered by Womack’s brothers The Valentinos (Curtis, Harry and Friendly, Jr.) with production from Bobby. The brothers sing background on the original version. The album version of “I Can Understand It” became a huge club hit in the northeast underground soul and gay clubs prior to the birth of disco. At that time, DJs skillfully played the cut directly from the album. New York City record stores began selling the album briskly when they noticed a highly diverse customer base buying Womack’s music.As compelling as Bobby Womack’s 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 “Woman’s 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, Womack’s version has a soothing effect as it employs a sensuous string arrangement while New Birth’s rendition is rather funky, retaining a spirited horn arrangement. Womack’s 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 native’s unique trait to calm a song with his blistering baritone re-surfaces on “Sweet Caroline,” the album’s 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. – Craig Lytle

Tracklist:

1-1. Bobby Womack – I Can Understand It (06:29)
1-2. Bobby Womack – Woman’s Gotta Have It (03:31)
1-3. Bobby Womack – And I Love Her (02:41)
1-4. Bobby Womack – Got To Get You Back (02:48)
1-5. Bobby Womack – Simple Man (05:50)
1-6. Bobby Womack – Ruby Dean (03:23)
1-7. Bobby Womack – Thing Called Love (03:57)
1-8. Bobby Womack – Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good) (03:08)
1-9. Bobby Womack – Harry Hippie (03:51)

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