Bobby Womack - The Facts of Life

Bobby Womack
The Facts of Life 
United Artists LA043F

Bobby Womack recorded something of a concept album with ‘Facts of Life’ in 1973. Both in lyrical content as in sound (save maybe for the all-out rock closer “All Along the Watchtower”), there’s a sense of longing and heartbreak here draped in warm, carressing soul grooves that are embellished with the tiniest amount of orchestration, creating a laid-back, relaxing, warm bath of melodic hooks, funky grooves and soulful philosophies on the wiles of love. Bobby totally transforms his mentor Sam Cooke’s “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out” into a dark, world-weary mid-tempo soul outing, conjuring up the “Across 110th. Street” vibe with its shimmering strings and pulsating beat.

     Tracks
Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out
I’m Through Trying to Prove My Love to You 
If You Can’t Give Her Love Give Her Up 
That’s Heaven to Me 
Medley:
     a. Holdin’ on to My Baby’s Love 
     b. Nobody 
Medley:
     a. Fact of Life 
     b. He’ll Be There When the Sun Goes Down 
Can’t Stop a Man in Love
The Look of Love 
Natural Man 
All Along the Watchtower