Anytime...Anywhere

Known as the ‘Delta Lady,’ Rita Coolidge drew attention as a backing singer for Delaney & Bonnie and Joe Cocker in the Leon Russell-centred Los Angeles swamp scene. She gained a wider following as she moved smoothly from that early swamp sound, in which Marc Benno was also closely involved, towards pop. This sixth album was the turning point, containing the huge hits ‘Higher and Higher’ (No. 2 in America) and ‘We're All Alone’ (No. 7). Together with the following year's Love Me Again, again produced by her brother-in-law Booker T. Jones, it captures Rita at her finest.

The sound is sophisticated and urbane, yet famous songs by the Temptations and Sam Cooke, and material by Glen Clark of Delbert & Glen, retain a strong soul and R&B colouring. Songs by her husband Kris Kristofferson and Crazy Horse add a country feel. What makes this album attractive is the exquisite mingling of Southern earthiness and adult mellowness. The next record leans more strongly towards pop and AOR.