Barbara Acklin Albums (3)
What The Critics Say
With the exception of "I'll Bake Me a Man" and "I Call It Trouble," which recalls the excitement of "Love Makes a Woman," this is simply a recycling of the songs on Barbara Acklin's two previous albums. This makes the third album appearance in a row for "He's Just a Little Guy" and "After You." Both were on Acklin's Someone Else's Arm and I Did It albums. Despite the repeats, this is far better than the two previous LPs. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Either there was a shortage of original material or Brunswick simply tried to present Barbara Acklin as an all-around performer. Why else would she remake four pop tunes and a Martha and the Vandellas song? Acklin and her beau Eugene Record only contributed four tracks, with one being the bland, vanilla "Someone Else's Arms." The album does have moments -- the whooping, harmonic "After You" and "Is It Me" are pleasures -- but "Quiet Night of Quiet Stars" and "More Today than Yesterday" leave a lot to be desired. She does a competent performance of "You've Been in Love Too Long," but adds nothing to the original version by the Vandellas. So what was the point? ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Always classy and elegant, Barbara Acklin's debut album, Love Makes a Woman could survive on the reputation of the title track alone. One of the premier recordings of writer/producer Carl Davis, "Love Makes a Woman" features the bright horns and relaxed rhythms that are hallmarks of his productions for the Brunswick label. Coupled with Acklin's tense, confident delivery, the results are one of pop-soul's true shining moments. Well-written originals here, like "Be By My Side" and "Come and See Me Baby," more than stand up to covers from the Bacharach/David canon, making this one of the most solid soul debuts ever released. ~ Wade Kergan, All Music Guide
