| 1. 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 box |
| 2. Tracklist: |
| 3. 1-1. Good Old Song |
| 4. 1-2. You And Me |
| 5. 1-3. I Never Had It So Good |
| 6. 1-4. Lovin' The Easy Way |
| 7. 1-5. Loving Arms |
| 8. 1-6. Reachin' For The Feeling |
| 9. 1-7. There's A Honky Tonk Angel |
| 10. 1-8. Mississippi Rolling Stone |
| 11. 1-9. Love Is On The Line |
| 12. 1-10. Rose |
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