Understanding

This album was recorded at American Sound Studio in Memphis and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Ala., with Womack using the venerable session musicians in both locales. A former sideman himself at both studios, Womack had an innate bond with the players. Rather than simply use them for backing, he formed an integrated unit, especially on “Simple Man,” “Ruby Dean," and "I Can Understand It.” “Woman’s Gotta Have It” and “Thing Called Love” show that Womack was quickly mastering the smooth (but still idiosyncratic) style that would become his signature for much of the '70s. The most intense song here is undoubtedly “Harry Hippie.” Written by Jim Ford, it's a dedication to Womack’s bass player brother Harry, who had been murdered by a girlfriend while the rest of the group was on the road. So much regret, loss, and affection is inherent in Bobby’s performance of the song that it transcends Ford’s words and becomes a snapshot of an artist’s unfolding grief.