Dianne Brooks: Back Stairs of My Life
Toronto R&B singer Dianne Brooks was very much in demand as a backup vocalist in the increasingly hectic Toronto recording scene through the 1970s, working with everyone from Anne Murray to Funkadelic, Ronnie Lane, and Craig Fuller's pre-Little Feat band Pure Prairie League. Her second album, Back Stairs of My Life, was recorded in 1976 with producer Brian Ahern. Vocal and instrumental assistance was provided by a large cast of characters, including Bonnie Raitt, Anne Murray, Amos Garrett, William D. Smith and Billy Payne of Little Feat.Back Stairs of My Life included Brooks' cover of Rick Danko and Bobby Charles' song "Small Town Talk". The personnel on the song is Amos Garrett, Jimmy Johnson and Brian Ahern on guitars, David Hood on bass, Barry Beckett on keyboards and Roger Hawkins on drums. All but Garrett (who knew the song best from his Woodstock days) and Ahern (the produceer) were based in Muscle Shoals, where some of the album was recorded.
Dianne Brooks - Back Stairs of My Life - 1976 - Reprise 2244