The late Esther Phillips was an expressive vocalist who used her versatile instrument across a variety of genres, from R&B to country to pop and jazz. She scored her first #1 R&B hit, “Double Crossing Blues,” in 1950 with the Johnny Otis Quintet and reached perhaps the height of her career with her album From a Whisper to a Scream, which was nominated in 1972 for a Grammy Award. Phillips lost to Aretha Franklin in a close race that year for best R&B vocal performance, although Franklin graciously tried to give Phillips the trophy.
We feature here from that album its lead track, “Home Is Where The Hatred Is,” an elegant, horn-propelled and poetic piece written by Gil Scott-Heron about an addict’s fear of returning home. Phillips beautifully renders the addict’s pain with an authentic, powerful vocal that soars above the swelling strings. Enjoy.
By Robb Patryk
