Dobie Gray

After Decca Records evolved into the MCA imprint, Dobie Gray (vocals) continued with a mixture of soulful rockers and undeniably sweet ballads for his second collection Loving Arms (1973). Perhaps eager to duplicate the success of his debut Drift Away (1972), Gray doesn't stray too far from the former outing. As the vocalist retained the same support combo of Mentor Williams (guitar) -- also the producer of the affair -- Mike Leech (bass), Reggie Young (guitar), Troy Seals (guitar), David Briggs (keyboards) and Kenny Malone (drums) with Charlie McCoy (harmonica) and Buddy Spicher (fiddle) providing the discernible seasoning of Nashville's own up-and-coming R&B scene. In addition to further contributions from Williams, Jennings and Seals -- who penned the majority of Gray's first album -- Loving Arms has a pair of selections from Mentor Williams, the prolific sibling of noted composer/actor/performer Paul Williams. He wrote the sentimental closer "Rose" and an impressive reading of "I Never Had It So Good," a tune later covered by Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand, among others. Loving Arms' title track is a seminal remake of the Tom Jans' folk classic. Gray's laid-back arrangement -- featuring a tastefully scored orchestration -- takes it to an exceedingly affecting place missing on the better-known renderings by Rita Coolidge, Olivia Newton-John, and Elvis Presley, and is definitely on par with Millie Jackson's scintillating version. It likewise made a showing on the Top 100 Pop Singles chart, landing at a respectable number 61. The originals hold up equally as well with the funky-meets-country "You and Me" and the lolloping mid-tempo "Lovin' the Easy Way," as they project Gray in a more upbeat setting. Gray's inaugural foray into composing on "Reachin' for the Feeling" stands out fuelled by an unstoppable proto-disco groove. There are comparatively rural textures informing the optimistic opener "Good Old Song" and the bluesy "Mississippi Rolling Stone." A remastered Loving Arms was included along with the remaining half-dozen LPs Gray recorded during the 1970s in Hip-O Select's limited-edition four-disc The Complete Dobie Gray (1969-1979) box. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide