Peabo Bryson
Peabo Bryson is an acclaimed American R&B and soul singer known as the "King of Balladeers" for his romantic style and Grammy-winning Disney duets.
Born Robert Peapo Bryson on April 13, 1951, in Greenville, South Carolina, to Marie Bryson, he grew up with two sisters and a brother. Raised primarily by women including his grandmother and mother, Bryson began singing professionally at age 14 with Al Freeman & The Upsetters, a local revue. His name was shortened to Peabo due to pronunciation issues, and by 16, he was writing, producing, and arranging for Bang Records; he became a father to daughter Linda in 1968.
Bryson toured the Chitlin' Circuit in 1968 with Moses Dillard & the Tex-Town Display, gaining stage experience. His break came at Atlanta's Bang Records, where executive Eddie Biscoe signed him as a writer and performer, leading to his 1976 debut album Peabo on Bullet Records and Underground Music, which charted at No. 47 R&B. He signed with Capitol Records in 1977, releasing Reaching for the Sky (No. 6 R&B), featuring hits like "Feel the Fire" (No. 13 Hot 100).
Bryson moved to Elektra Records, scoring with Take No Prisoners and the Top 10 pop/R&B single "If Ever You're in My Arms Again." He topped R&B charts with "Show & Tell" (1989, from All My Love) and "Can You Stop the Rain," earning Grammy nods. Known for 20 albums and topping four different charts, his conversational vocal style drew comparisons to 1950s R&B idols.
Bryson sang Disney duets "Beauty and the Beast" (with Celine Dion, 1991) and "A Whole New World" (with Regina Belle, Aladdin, 1992), both winning Grammys. He also performed "As Long As There's Christmas" for Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas. Other accolades include roles like Porgy & Bess (1998) and albums like Unconditional Love (1999).
Recent projects include The Very Best of Peabo Bryson (2006) and signing with Peak Records. Married to Tanya Boniface since 2010, they have one child. He continues touring as a romantic balladeer.
Crosswinds
6:02
A2 I'm So Into You
5:45
A3 Smile
Soloist, Saxophone – Ron Dover
4:45
A4 She's A Woman
5:20
B1 Point Of View
4:40
B2 Spread Your Wings
4:58
B3 Don't Touch Me
Soloist, Saxophone – Ron Dover
4:55
B4 Love Is Watching You
5:05
Written and Composed By Peabo Bryson
Label: Capitol Records – ST-11875
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
Peabo
Arranged By – Gene Page
Performer [Rhythm Section] – Barry Beckett, David Hood, Jesse W. Carr, Jimmy R. Johnson, Roger Hawkins
Rhythm Section – Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section
Written-By, Composed By – Peabo Bryson 3:42
A2 Do You Believe In Love
Arranged By – Gene Page
Performer [Rhythm Section] – Barry Beckett, David Hood, Jesse W. Carr, Jimmy R. Johnson, Roger Hawkins
Rhythm Section – Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section
Written-By, Composed By – Paul Davis, Peabo Bryson 2:54
A3 It's Just A Matter Of Time
Arranged By – Gene Page
Performer [Rhythm Section] – Barry Beckett, David Hood, Jesse W. Carr, Jimmy R. Johnson, Roger Hawkins
Rhythm Section – Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section
Written-By, Composed By – Peabo Bryson 3:31
A4 I Can Make It Better
Arranged By – Michael Zager
Performer [Rhythm Section] – Bobbye Hall, David T. Walker, Edward Greene, Gary Coleman, Henry Davis, Ray Parker Jr., Ricahrd Littlefield, Sylvester Rivers
Rhythm Section – L.A. Rhythm Section
Written-By, Composed By – Peabo Bryson 5:08
A5 You Bring Out The Best In Me
Arranged By – Gene Page
Performer [Rhythm Section] – Bobbye Hall, David T. Walker, Edward Greene, Gary Coleman, Henry Davis, Ray Parker Jr., Ricahrd Littlefield, Sylvester Rivers
Rhythm Section – L.A. Rhythm Section
Written-By, Composed By – Peabo Bryson 3:57
B1 Smile
Arranged By – Michael Zager
Performer [Rhythm Section] – Freddie Birdwell, Freeman Brown, Jessie Boyce, John Helms, Sanchez Harley
Rhythm Section – Bottom & Co. Rhythm Section
Written-By, Composed By – Peabo Bryson 4:58
B2 Underground Music
Arranged By – Gene Page
Performer [Rhythm Section] – Barry Beckett, David Hood, Jesse W. Carr, Jimmy R. Johnson, Roger Hawkins
Rhythm Section – Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section
Written-By, Composed By – Peabo Bryson 3:31
B3 Lovely Lady
Arranged By – Gene Page
Performer [Rhythm Section] – Bobbye Hall, David T. Walker, Edward Greene, Gary Coleman, Henry Davis, Ray Parker Jr., Ricahrd Littlefield, Sylvester Rivers
Rhythm Section – L.A. Rhythm Section
Written-By, Composed By – Peabo Bryson 4:05
B4 Let The Music Play
Arranged By – Gene Page
Performer [Rhythm Section] – Bobbye Hall, David T. Walker, Edward Greene, Gary Coleman, Henry Davis, Ray Parker Jr., Ricahrd Littlefield, Sylvester Rivers
Rhythm Section – L.A. Rhythm Section
Written-By, Composed By – Peabo Bryson 3:21
B5 God Is On Our Side
Arranged By – Gene Page
Performer [Rhythm Section] – Beaver Parker, Peabo Bryson, Ronn Price, Thom Fowle
Rhythm Section – Bang Rhythm Section
Written-By, Composed By – Peabo Bryson 3:55
Label: Bullet Records – BT-7000
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Peabo Bryson's 1976 self-titled debut album, Peabo, was a strong introduction showcasing his rich baritone, blending lush soul ballads with uptempo funk/soul, featuring early R&B hits like "Underground Music" and "I Can Make It Better," and highlighting his versatility before his major Capitol success, setting the stage for his "King of Balladeers" reign.
It was his first release on Bullet Records, establishing his sound with diverse grooves. The album balanced sleek, synth-accented ballads (like "You Bring Out The Best In Me") with energetic, funky tracks (such as "Underground Music," "Smile," and "Let The Music Play").
Several singles, including "Do It with Feeling," "Underground Music," and "I Can Make It Better," were moderate R&B successes.
Reviewers praised his smooth, powerful voice, perfect for both romantic slow jams and upbeat dance tracks.
While not fully the "quiet storm" icon he'd become, Peabo showed his potential and was followed by his move to Capitol Records, where he'd achieve gold status with Reaching for the Sky.
The album is considered an important step in his artistic development, not yet the fully formed "quiet storm icon" he would become, but a great initial offering that contained a few of his most loved early songs and established the quality production and arrangements that would mark his career.
In summary, Peabo is a well-regarded debut that successfully balanced different soul styles, laying the groundwork for Bryson's significant success on Capitol Records that followed.