― , Monday, 5 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
― brent d., Tuesday, 6 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
― , Tuesday, 6 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
Um, no, he doesn't. Classic, probably the best of all the great soul singers. But it's not just about the voice - the amazing no-frills metronomic Hi backbeat has a lot to do with why his records are so good. "Al Green Is Love" is probably my favourite soul non- compilation album ever.
― Tom, Tuesday, 6 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
― Patrick, Tuesday, 6 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
― the pinefox, Wednesday, 7 March 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
SHAME ON YOU ALL.
Some of you are WRITERS. All, or most of you, claim to "love music". And yet this is the best you can do, a few shrugs and spindly sentences. This is the MAN. He has made the world an infinitely better place by just being around. BOW DOWN AND WORSHIP.
UBER-classic.
― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Sunday, 6 April 2003 20:16 (twenty years ago) link
― gabbneb (gabbneb), Sunday, 6 April 2003 20:29 (twenty years ago) link
― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Sunday, 6 April 2003 20:30 (twenty years ago) link
― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 6 April 2003 20:54 (twenty years ago) link
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Sunday, 6 April 2003 21:34 (twenty years ago) link
― gaz (gaz), Sunday, 6 April 2003 21:53 (twenty years ago) link
― Pete Scholtes, Sunday, 6 April 2003 22:50 (twenty years ago) link
http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/music/green-76.php
esp the first two paragraphs
i can't think of another artist/band for whom my love (and yeah it goes beyond a deep and abiding affection or respect or whutever) is so unexamined, so basic and (dare i say it) pure.
― jess (dubplatestyle), Sunday, 6 April 2003 22:56 (twenty years ago) link
― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 7 April 2003 01:57 (twenty years ago) link
I really like Otis Clay's Hi singles, like "Let Me Be the One."
More later.
― Amateurist (amateurist), Monday, 7 April 2003 02:09 (twenty years ago) link
― gaz (gaz), Monday, 7 April 2003 02:10 (twenty years ago) link
Kind of a surprise: I'm reviewing the reissues of those first Al Green albums on Hi, and Green Is Blue actually stacks up pretty well. Bonus track of him singing "I Want to Hold Your Hand" is OMG killa fire-honoring cover of all time
― Neudonym, Monday, 7 April 2003 04:11 (twenty years ago) link
― James Blount (James Blount), Monday, 7 April 2003 04:30 (twenty years ago) link
Ann Peebles'"Trouble, Heartaches, and Sadness" is another Hi-Records gem that Al Green lovahs should search from her great album, "Straight From the Heart."
― Cub, Monday, 7 April 2003 04:46 (twenty years ago) link
― M Matos (M Matos), Monday, 7 April 2003 12:03 (twenty years ago) link
― James Blount (James Blount), Monday, 7 April 2003 13:37 (twenty years ago) link
― Dadaismus, Monday, 7 April 2003 13:58 (twenty years ago) link
But them bonus tracks is special. Green Is Blues includes not only "I Want to Hold Your Hand" but also two originals and a cover of Chuck Berry's "Memphis, Tennessee"; Gets Next to You has a nice long version of "Ride Sally Ride" and a couple more.
― Neudonym, Monday, 7 April 2003 14:02 (twenty years ago) link
Mitchell's Royal Recording studio is still there in S. Memphis. Last time I visited the Big "S" Grill made a very good barbecue sandwich, good jukebox, and there's always Josie's Tamales near there if you need tamales, not to mention Blue Suede Shoe Shine...
― Jess Hill (jesshill), Monday, 7 April 2003 14:06 (twenty years ago) link
also, as others have mentioned here, there's a wealth of great stuff by other Hi artists like Ann Peebles, O.V. Wright, Otis Clay & Syl Johnson if you want more of that sound - what a band! Al Jackson and the Grimes bros, Willie Mitchell production... oh, oh, and Jess Hill is otm about the "Love Ritual" collection - "Up Above My Head is my favourite Al track maybe... sorry, it's just so fucking good... I'm about to fall off my chair again.
― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Monday, 7 April 2003 14:16 (twenty years ago) link
Like Stax/Volt etc., Hi's output was so prolific that a lot of horn and string charts, melodies, lyrical ideas, etc. got recycled. I have absolutely no problem with that whatever. It's actually a good way to determine what a given singer brings to the table.
I actually really like the later Hi stuff, from the late '70s, which both is slightly hampered by and benefits from a certain slackness, or quietude. Examples would be Ann Peebles's If This Is Heaven, Syl Johnson's Total Explosion, Al Green's Have a Good Time, etc.
O.V. Wright is sort of a force of nature; his Hi stuff sounds more like his pre-Hi stuff than you'd expect. He doesn't go "uptown" as much as other Hi artists of the period. "That's the Way I Feel About 'Cha" is a great balance though.
Crosspost w/Fritz!
― Amateurist (amateurist), Monday, 7 April 2003 14:21 (twenty years ago) link
― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Monday, 7 April 2003 14:39 (twenty years ago) link
― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Monday, 7 April 2003 14:42 (twenty years ago) link
― James Blount (James Blount), Monday, 7 April 2003 14:43 (twenty years ago) link
I don't really know, not having ventured into it... though the oft-maligned "The Belle Album" - the transitional one - is quite good.
― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Monday, 7 April 2003 14:45 (twenty years ago) link
― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Monday, 7 April 2003 14:52 (twenty years ago) link
― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Monday, 7 April 2003 14:54 (twenty years ago) link
― Amateurist (amateurist), Monday, 7 April 2003 14:55 (twenty years ago) link
― Jonathan, Monday, 7 April 2003 15:24 (twenty years ago) link
I was re-reading some Xgau reviews the other day and came across something he said about Green and the rhythm-section thing happening on those classic Hi records. Xgau says something about the "thick 3rd-beat" emphasis of the drumming and as far as I can tell that's a classic howler--Xgau can't count. He's hearing the second beat as the third beat for some reason--he's counting the eighth notes as quarter notes.
― Jess Hill (jesshill), Monday, 7 April 2003 15:39 (twenty years ago) link
― Burr (Burr), Monday, 7 April 2003 17:41 (twenty years ago) link
search Hi Rhythm's On the Loose, reissued a couple years ago w/some photo instead of whatever the original cover art was. they're not kidding--it's really loose, like about-to-fall-apart loose, and extremely charming for it
― M Matos (M Matos), Monday, 7 April 2003 17:42 (twenty years ago) link
― Jess Hill (jesshill), Monday, 7 April 2003 19:24 (twenty years ago) link
I love Al Green btw.
― Sean (Sean), Monday, 7 April 2003 19:50 (twenty years ago) link
― Pete Scholtes, Tuesday, 8 April 2003 06:37 (twenty years ago) link
― gaz (gaz), Tuesday, 8 April 2003 09:11 (twenty years ago) link
― Squirrel_Police (Squirrel_Police), Tuesday, 8 April 2003 10:12 (twenty years ago) link
Ace Al Green track, the one I love above all: "Love is Real." The way he says "Say something..."
― Jess Hill (jesshill), Tuesday, 8 April 2003 13:03 (twenty years ago) link
― M Matos (M Matos), Tuesday, 8 April 2003 13:20 (twenty years ago) link
― Andrew Thames (Andrew Thames), Tuesday, 8 April 2003 13:26 (twenty years ago) link
― bobo t, Tuesday, 8 April 2003 13:33 (twenty years ago) link
-- M Matos
Man, all I said was that I can count. Maybe that's a shockah where you come from.
― Jess Hill (jesshill), Tuesday, 8 April 2003 15:15 (twenty years ago) link
― James Blount (James Blount), Tuesday, 8 April 2003 15:17 (twenty years ago) link
I will leave that sentance as it stands for Dan's pleasure, but you know what I mean.
― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Tuesday, 8 April 2003 19:10 (twenty years ago) link
― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 11 April 2003 19:34 (twenty years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 11 April 2003 19:53 (twenty years ago) link
― Amateurist (amateurist), Friday, 11 April 2003 19:56 (twenty years ago) link
― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 11 April 2003 20:03 (twenty years ago) link
The thing that is interesting is the obvious connection between what Mitchell did and what Gamble and Huff did in Philly...and both scene's obvious role in the beginnings of disco music.
― Jess Hill (jesshill), Friday, 11 April 2003 20:32 (twenty years ago) link
― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 11 April 2003 20:54 (twenty years ago) link
― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Friday, 11 April 2003 20:57 (twenty years ago) link
Jackson's drum sound on Stax records sounds quite a bit different than his sound on Hi records (at least in their respective golden ages). Hmm.
― Amateurist (amateurist), Friday, 11 April 2003 21:02 (twenty years ago) link
By "Mitchell drum sound" I meant the signature production style, not Grimes' playing, which is not in question.
― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Friday, 11 April 2003 21:11 (twenty years ago) link
― Rockist Scientist, Thursday, 8 May 2003 01:37 (twenty years ago) link
Al Green obviously still has it when he cares to put out, it's a sin no one can extract a decent album from him.
Two killer Hi cuts: 'I Don't Know Why" OV Wright"I Still Love You," Ann Peebles
Al Jackson, RIP
― rumplestiltskin, Thursday, 8 May 2003 04:48 (twenty years ago) link
― Mark (MarkR), Wednesday, 8 October 2003 02:31 (twenty years ago) link
― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 8 October 2003 16:15 (twenty years ago) link
a new Al Green Q&A:http://www.citypages.com/databank/25/1216/article11995.asp
interview outtakes on gay marriage:http://babelogue.citypages.com:8080/pscholtes/2004/03/19
some other links for y'all:The Al Green Ticket DebateAl Green & Willie together again... should i get my hopes up?http://www.memphisflyer.com/MFSearch/full_results.asp?xt_from=1&aID=5116http://www.algreenmusic.com/
― Pete Scholtes, Thursday, 25 March 2004 02:28 (twenty years ago) link
― SexyDancer, Thursday, 25 March 2004 03:40 (twenty years ago) link
― oops (Oops), Thursday, 25 March 2004 06:29 (twenty years ago) link
This is exquisite shagging music, too, I must say. It doesn't matter which girl you bring home, from whatever walk of life and music, she'll always accept Al or Anne, in my limited experience.
― Baravelli. (Jake Proudlock), Thursday, 25 March 2004 13:05 (twenty years ago) link
― amateur!!!st (amateurist), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 01:03 (nineteen years ago) link
― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 01:11 (nineteen years ago) link
Even the b-sides/rarities are gems. I love the "Flipside To Al Green" collection so much.
― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 01:12 (nineteen years ago) link
― Rock Hardy (Rock Hardy), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 01:17 (nineteen years ago) link
― amateur!!!st (amateurist), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 01:19 (nineteen years ago) link
― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 01:21 (nineteen years ago) link
Could Al Green be the much sought-after answer to the question of the artist EVERYONE agrees is amazing? Let's face it, anyone who doesn't has got serious issues.
And fuck me if the album 'I Can't Stand the Rain' (Ann Peebles) isn't a contender for best soul long-player of all time.
― baboon2004 (baboon2004), Thursday, 21 April 2005 20:59 (eighteen years ago) link
― darin (darin), Thursday, 21 April 2005 21:02 (eighteen years ago) link
― charleston charge (chaki), Thursday, 21 April 2005 22:36 (eighteen years ago) link
I like all his stuff but I always go back to the "Listen" comp. I love "Love Is Real" and "Mimi" and "I Think It's for the Feeling."
I also saw the Hi Rhythm Section a couple times while I lived in Memphis. Howard Grimes was incredible. He plays like Al Jackson but it's a little looser, maybe, and if anything even straighter. Teenie Hodges is one of my favorite guitarists, ever, in any style.
― edd s hurt (ddduncan), Thursday, 21 April 2005 23:02 (eighteen years ago) link
― Gear! (can Jung shill it, Mu?) (Gear!), Sunday, 5 June 2005 07:31 (eighteen years ago) link
― VegemiteGrrl (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 5 June 2005 08:23 (eighteen years ago) link
― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Sunday, 5 June 2005 14:21 (eighteen years ago) link
― titchyschneider (titchyschneider), Sunday, 5 June 2005 19:14 (eighteen years ago) link
― Forksclovetofu (Forksclovetofu), Monday, 6 June 2005 03:06 (eighteen years ago) link
i love al to death but i dont think he has any great albums... the true love compilation is really amazing though, not a bad track on there.
― titchyschneiderMk2, Sunday, 18 November 2007 14:14 (sixteen years ago) link
"Al Green Explores Your Mind" is great. Reminds me of the summer I pwned Virtua Tennis on the Dreamcast.
― caek, Sunday, 18 November 2007 14:19 (sixteen years ago) link
classic in my eyes
― Bo Jackson Overdrive, Sunday, 18 November 2007 14:21 (sixteen years ago) link
i love al to death but i dont think he has any great albums
You're missing out, man!
Al Green Gets Next To You is fire! Let's Stay Together is yoga flame! But I don't think it gets better than I'm Still in Love With You.
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Sunday, 18 November 2007 14:50 (sixteen years ago) link
hmm.
i actually harbour evil suspicions about people that dont like al green. if you dont love him, fine, but if you dont like him? something sinister is at work.
― titchyschneiderMk2, Sunday, 18 November 2007 15:01 (sixteen years ago) link
If you actively dislike Al Green, then I can never respect anything you have to say about anything.
― caek, Sunday, 18 November 2007 15:05 (sixteen years ago) link
the best al green album is the 'true love' compilation.
― veryloggedout, Monday, 31 December 2007 13:14 (sixteen years ago) link
no, it isn't...The Belle Album is...wonderful way of dealing with born-again-ism ("it's you I want but Him that I need"...the holy trinity love triangle)..."Feels Like Summer" couldn't be a more appropriate song title, and "Dream", well, if I ever get hitched (ILM Poster In Unmarried SHOCKER!) that will be "our" song...(if I can sell it, which I'm sure I can)...
― henry s, Monday, 31 December 2007 16:29 (sixteen years ago) link
I'm very fond of Livin' For You's "Beware."
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Monday, 31 December 2007 16:38 (sixteen years ago) link
This is still the most retarded question ever asked on ILM.
― Pleasant Plains, Monday, 31 December 2007 16:43 (sixteen years ago) link
HOOS otm
― forksclovetofu, Monday, 31 December 2007 16:45 (sixteen years ago) link
the best al green album is the belle album
― strgn, Saturday, 19 January 2008 11:37 (sixteen years ago) link
arguable
― The Brainwasher, Saturday, 19 January 2008 11:39 (sixteen years ago) link
no
― strgn, Saturday, 19 January 2008 11:41 (sixteen years ago) link
haha yes. but belle is at least top 3 rite
Rite. Classic album.
― Tom D., Saturday, 19 January 2008 11:43 (sixteen years ago) link
georgia boy owns 99.9% of everything ever
― strgn, Saturday, 19 January 2008 11:45 (sixteen years ago) link
Those who like the follow-up to The Belle Album should come vote on this thread: Best Version Of "I Say A Little Prayer"
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Saturday, 19 January 2008 14:37 (sixteen years ago) link
On one listen, liking his new album quite a bit. Even the Corrine Bailey Rae duet.
― The Reverend, Tuesday, 27 May 2008 06:13 (fifteen years ago) link
not heard it all yet but thought the songwriting on the tracks i have checked out werent quite as strong as the production/instrumentation. or maybe its just that his voice cant make them seem better than they are anymore.
― titchyschneiderMk2, Tuesday, 27 May 2008 10:06 (fifteen years ago) link
We play it at on the stereo at my bookstore, and beneath the racket of customers, it's sounds pretty indistinguishable from Classic Al. There doesn't seem to be a real killer track, but it's very pleasant, and I think I appreciate "pleasant" a lot more these days than I used to.
― Chuck_Tatum, Tuesday, 27 May 2008 16:46 (fifteen years ago) link
I will be purchasing this album as soon as humanly possible.
And yeah, this was the dumbest question ever asked on ILM. How can you ever question the good Reverend?
― B.L.A.M., Tuesday, 27 May 2008 17:23 (fifteen years ago) link
the title track is gorgeous.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Tuesday, 27 May 2008 17:51 (fifteen years ago) link
On Letterman tonight.
― Kerm, Friday, 6 June 2008 03:48 (fifteen years ago) link
i'm offended someone even asked this question.
― chicago kevin, Friday, 6 June 2008 03:49 (fifteen years ago) link
Can anyone copypasta that story about Al Green and the hot grits that his girlfriend threw at him?
― J@cob, Friday, 6 June 2008 06:13 (fifteen years ago) link
show last night here was amazing.
― s1ocki, Sunday, 29 June 2008 22:57 (fifteen years ago) link
"Belle Album" as far as I can tell has never been maligned
Hard to believe I know, but it is maligned in the sleevenotes to "The Legendary Hi Albums, Volume 3" which, of course, includes... "The Belle Album"! The guy who wrote the sleevenotes, who is obv. an Al Green fan, says that "The Belle Album" was a big disappointment when it was released + goes on to criticise the musicianship and esp. use of the string synth. Rather incredibly he seems to consider "Truth n' Time" and "Have a Good Time" as better albums!
― Tom D., Monday, 21 July 2008 09:41 (fifteen years ago) link
Yeah, you hate to call deafness on other writers, but . . .
― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Monday, 21 July 2008 10:12 (fifteen years ago) link
A really filp and facile thing to say would to be that "The Belle Album" is, in some ways, Al Green's "There's a Riot Goin' On"... so, being a flip and facile guy, I'm going to say that "The Belle Album" is, in some ways, Al Green's "There's a Riot Goin' On".
― Tom D., Monday, 21 July 2008 10:19 (fifteen years ago) link
This past week on The Best of Soul Train, they reran the ep from '74 when the Rev opened and closed the show playing live with his road band Killer.
― C. Grisso/McCain, Monday, 21 July 2008 15:41 (fifteen years ago) link
FUCK. The first time in at least a few months that I've missed Soul Train and they show one with Al Green!!
― Granny Dainger, Monday, 21 July 2008 16:32 (fifteen years ago) link
Watched that one, too. Why was Al's right arm in a sling?
― briania, Monday, 21 July 2008 16:44 (fifteen years ago) link
Burnin' grits?
― Tom D., Monday, 21 July 2008 16:47 (fifteen years ago) link
OMG that soul train was so so good. It's so rare that they did live shows and even rarer that they let the artist do two songs back to back and goddamn did he tear it up. Everything onstage at that performance was dope: the pink toms, the purple glitter hoody on the cat playing congas... such a sweet piece of video.
It's been a few good weeks on Soul Train: Letta M'bulu and Yellow Magic Orchestra lately!
― forksclovetofu, Monday, 21 July 2008 17:25 (fifteen years ago) link
SHUT UP YOU GUYS
― Granny Dainger, Monday, 21 July 2008 17:27 (fifteen years ago) link
Oh, yeah, that Letta M'bulu show was cool, if if it was a lip-synch. DC was actually dignified & respectful with her. The live performance I keep hoping they'll re-broadcast is Earth Wind & Fire doing the whole hour.
― briania, Monday, 21 July 2008 17:44 (fifteen years ago) link
YMO did an electronic cover of Tighten Up that was the coolest fuckin thang.
― forksclovetofu, Monday, 21 July 2008 19:08 (fifteen years ago) link
Yeah, I saw the Al Green and YMO episodes too! I posted elsewhere about the assholism that Don Cornelius put on display with YMO ("Ahahaha, they're Japanese and they have funny names!")
I only caught the last Al Green song, " ", but he had flowers all over the stage and his hand along with the mic, he was wearing hot yellow pants, and his arm is in a cast. Effortless dominance.
― Z S, Tuesday, 22 July 2008 04:53 (fifteen years ago) link
"Here I am (Come and Take Me)", I meant to add in there, d'oh.
― Z S, Tuesday, 22 July 2008 04:54 (fifteen years ago) link
"Georgia Boy"
― strgn, Wednesday, 23 July 2008 09:56 (fifteen years ago) link
That might be my favorite song of all time.
― strgn, Wednesday, 23 July 2008 09:57 (fifteen years ago) link
Along with four or five other al green tracks, then it gets to the heathens....
― strgn, Wednesday, 23 July 2008 09:58 (fifteen years ago) link
But "georgia boy"
― strgn, Wednesday, 23 July 2008 09:59 (fifteen years ago) link
"Stand Up" a close second
― strgn, Wednesday, 23 July 2008 10:02 (fifteen years ago) link
A second.
― strgn, Wednesday, 23 July 2008 10:03 (fifteen years ago) link
GEORGIA BOY FOR ALL TIME, OM FUCKING G
― strgn, Wednesday, 23 July 2008 10:19 (fifteen years ago) link
long time coming
― strgn, Wednesday, 23 July 2008 10:20 (fifteen years ago) link
This was before the grits thing. During the interview Don asked him about this injury, and Al replied something along the lines of "After a show, me and some of my fans had a disageement on whether or not I should have gotten into my car." (IIRC, I think his hand got smashed by a car door after a gig).
― C. Grisso/McCain, Wednesday, 23 July 2008 20:21 (fifteen years ago) link
― strgn, Wednesday, July 23, 2008 5:19 AM (2 years ago) Bookmark
― Euler, Sunday, 29 August 2010 21:32 (thirteen years ago) link
"Beware"
― Gucci Mane hermeneuticist (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 29 August 2010 21:33 (thirteen years ago) link
He is good drinking music.
― , Monday, 5 March 2001 01:00 (11 years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
oh guys Belle so incredible wrassling with yr better instincts and yr proper instincts
― thread lock holiday (Noodle Vague), Tuesday, 16 October 2012 12:02 (eleven years ago) link
Almost scuppered by Mr Mouthy:
http://devonrecordclub.com/2013/11/23/al-green-im-still-in-love-with-you-round-58-toms-selection/
What's the next Al Green album to get?
― yugi ex, Saturday, 23 November 2013 21:35 (ten years ago) link
there are weak spots, but i'll love the belle album forever.
― Daniel, Esq 2, Saturday, 23 November 2013 21:39 (ten years ago) link
no weak spots, just slightly-less-excellent spots. yeah Belle for sure.
― uk cheese board (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 23 November 2013 21:41 (ten years ago) link
i mean just get everything ffs
Back in the mid '90s when I lived in North Carolina I went on a road trip to see the New York Giants play against Tennessee. It was in 1997 the first year after they moved from Houston so they were playing in Memphis and still known as the Oilers.
In an era that saw the internet not quite as expansive as it is now, I planned my trip using SPIN Underground U.S.A.: The Best of Rock Culture Coast to Coast. The book grabbed an indie-rock dignitary from a couple dozen cities/scenes and had them list the places to go when in those cities.
I forget who did Memphis but I followed his instructions: The Sunday of the game I went to Miss. Ellen's soul food. The place was in the middle of possible the worst neighborhood, me and one friend from my group were the only white folk in the place; everyone was so nice to us and they were amazed that the place was in a book. To this day the best fried chicken I have ever had.
But before the soul food and after the game, I went to the church that the guy in the book suggested: The place that the Reverend Al Green preached. We were ushered in, a motley trio (me, Giants fan and metalhead; a friend from Scrabble club who didn't know much about football but went along for the experience; a black dude from Harlem from my Giants fan club in Raleigh), but it was cool since there were a bunch of tourists among the locals who understood the deal with us interlopers.
After some supporting acts, suddenly Al Green made his way to the mic.
"Some people come here to hear me preach," he said. "Some people came to hear me sing. Today... I'm gonna sing."
And sing he did. And it was amazing, seeing this master of Motown give it his all for a 3/4 empty church. We weren't there for a spiritual lift but hearing him sing up close and personal, we got it anyway.
So, yeah. Total classic.
― Loud guitars shit all over "Bette Davis Eyes" (NYCNative), Saturday, 23 November 2013 22:05 (ten years ago) link
I love that gritty r'n'b thing he does to perfection on I Can't Get Next To You but I think that is the only place, the lp that is, where he uses that exact style. Great voice and he is interesting elsewhere but that sound is one of my favourite styles.
Lydia Lunch once described the sound of 8 Eyed Spy as a cross between Al Green and somebody, possibly CCR. I always wondered what part of Al Green it was and assume it must be that particular thing I love.
― Stevolende, Saturday, 23 November 2013 22:50 (ten years ago) link
master of Motown
???
― A True White Kid that can Jump (Granny Dainger), Sunday, 24 November 2013 21:12 (ten years ago) link
Not directly, but there was a connection.
― Loud guitars shit all over "Bette Davis Eyes" (NYCNative), Monday, 25 November 2013 01:44 (ten years ago) link
http://www.discogs.com/viewimages?release=3089852
― Loud guitars shit all over "Bette Davis Eyes" (NYCNative), Monday, 25 November 2013 01:46 (ten years ago) link
http://s.pixogs.com/image/R-3089852-1315236256.jpeg
― Loud guitars shit all over "Bette Davis Eyes" (NYCNative), Monday, 25 November 2013 01:47 (ten years ago) link
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/aztreasures/7-10-13%20lpbox18/100_9018.jpg
when worlds collide
― tɹi.ʃɪp (Treeship), Monday, 25 November 2013 02:25 (ten years ago) link
My copy of "The Belle Album" is on Motown
― Thomas K Amphong (Tom D.), Monday, 25 November 2013 13:36 (ten years ago) link
I wouldn't call him a Motown master unless I wanted to confuse people
― A True White Kid that can Jump (Granny Dainger), Monday, 25 November 2013 21:58 (ten years ago) link
al green is just about the most consistent artist ever. not every album is great, but every album is better than good-- even the ones critics like to say are "bad" just to set up some "comeback."
of course his run of LPs in the 1970s is the equal or better of any run of LPs by anyone, ever. stunning. and don't sleep on his gospel records. if i am put on the spot and asked for a favorite singer or musician, this is who i name.
― flesh, the devil, and a wolf (wolf) (amateurist), Tuesday, 26 November 2013 19:10 (ten years ago) link
also there are people (like my mom, if I don't correct her) who hear any soul music and assume it's motown.
if you can distinguish motown from stax/volt you are already in a small minority. alas.
― flesh, the devil, and a wolf (wolf) (amateurist), Tuesday, 26 November 2013 19:11 (ten years ago) link
if you can distinguish hi records from stax/volt, you are one in a million.
Fat Possum now distributes Hi Records for the world. We begin with the European re-release of Al Green's Greatest Hits, Let's Stay Together & I'm Still In Love With You. Those titles are In Stores Now!
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 27 November 2013 21:53 (ten years ago) link
the great Teenie Hodges
RIP Teenie Hodges
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2014/jun/23/songwriter-guitarist-and-anchor-hi-rhythm-mabon-te/
During Hi Records' glory years starting in the late '60s, Mr. Hodges wrote or co-wrote many classics of the R&B genre, including a succession of hits with and for Al Green: "Here I Am," "Full of Fire," "Take Me to the River" and "Love and Happiness"
Mr. Hodges was also the cornerstone of the famed Hi Rhythm band
― curmudgeon, Monday, 23 June 2014 14:17 (nine years ago) link
damn, RIP
― some dude, Monday, 23 June 2014 14:18 (nine years ago) link
RIP Teenie
― Tommy McTommy (Tom D.), Tuesday, 24 June 2014 11:26 (nine years ago) link
More recently, Mr. Hodges recorded in support of his nephew, the hip-hop star Drake.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2014/06/25/4a5d0192-fbd4-11e3-b1f4-8e77c632c07b_story.html
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 26 June 2014 21:02 (nine years ago) link
Sam Moore and Mavis Staples sing "Take Me to the River" for Al Green at the Kennedy Center Honors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc3BqMl1NII
― curmudgeon, Friday, 2 January 2015 17:39 (nine years ago) link
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/al-green-the-soul-legend-and-kennedy-center-honoree-is-still-tired-of-being-alone/2014/12/05/457f2c3e-75b6-11e4-a755-e32227229e7b_story.html
During our 45-minute window, Green is energetic, quick to laugh, even quicker to break into song. But his left foot won’t stop tapping anxious 16th notes into the carpet.
One-on-one conversation seems difficult for him. He answers most questions with forthright brevity, then darts off on scattered digressions.
Ask about his relationship with his church, he laments the rise of the drug trade in Memphis. Ask whether stardom made him a better preacher, he volunteers the fact that his first love was a prostitute who introduced him to a dangerous social circle. Ask about his mentor, producer Willie Mitchell, Green reminisces about an unrelated bar fight that required him to neutralize an opponent carrying a switchblade. “Always hold the hand with the knife!” he shouts, offering hard-knock-life tips with a belly laugh.
Perhaps these broken strands of communication are Green’s way of explaining that he has seen life on the other side and that instead of examining his current struggles, he’d rather purge up memories of traumas conquered long ago.
― curmudgeon, Friday, 2 January 2015 17:42 (nine years ago) link
please tell me some al green songs that are long and jammy like this onehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pupeAPWStR4
― vigetable (La Lechera), Friday, 9 January 2015 23:33 (nine years ago) link
i have his whole discog and can find greatness up through at least the belle album, but yeah, i'm still in love with you is the best soul album i've ever heard
― soyrev, Friday, 9 January 2015 23:37 (nine years ago) link
there is greatness long after the belle album imo
― I dunno. (amateurist), Friday, 9 January 2015 23:46 (nine years ago) link
Yo did anyone see this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCHP7hYZZTk
― The Reverend, Saturday, 10 January 2015 03:54 (nine years ago) link
Lechera! "Beware" is often my favorite Green song. It's dangerous!
― guess that bundt gettin eaten (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 10 January 2015 03:56 (nine years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT99vMay_pU
― languagelessness (mattresslessness), Saturday, 10 January 2015 04:15 (nine years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q-hONahmU0
I have this on the Love Ritual odds n end comp!
A few other long ones:
"I Didn't Know" 7:49 (1975)"Dream" 7:28 (1977)"Georgia Boy" 7:00 (1977)"For The Good Times" 6:27 (1972)
― Fastnbulbous, Saturday, 10 January 2015 04:24 (nine years ago) link
anyone with the slightest interest in al green needs the see the movie "gospel according to al green"
green has an incredible amount of charisma, but he's an eccentric through and through. his speech patterns are hypnotizing.
it doesn't surprise me in the least that he lives alone in the woods.
― I dunno. (amateurist), Saturday, 10 January 2015 06:00 (nine years ago) link
agggggh georgia boy is killing me
i love beware so much i usually listen to it 3x in a row because i never want it to end. i need to make an al green mix for my car so thank you all for your input.
― vigetable (La Lechera), Saturday, 10 January 2015 17:25 (nine years ago) link
love sermon is my new favorite al green longjam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmGJFU9_h7w&list=RDkmGJFU9_h7w#t=398
― groundless round (La Lechera), Tuesday, 27 January 2015 19:24 (nine years ago) link
Went to Reverend Al's church yesterday and heard him sing, preach, read scripture, tell jokes, and offer condolences. So classic.
― curmudgeon, Monday, 28 August 2017 15:21 (six years ago) link
Gets next to you is fantastic. Seems to hit a version of r'n'b that should be archetypal.Next couple change focus a bit and I wish there was more like this.
― Stevolende, Monday, 28 August 2017 15:53 (six years ago) link
The new biography that's out, Soul Survivor, is quite good. McDonough definitely has his quirks but he conveys honest appreciation and love of the work versus some of Al's sketchier sides. But it's also a great overview of Hi Records in general, the first I've ever seen myself.
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 28 August 2017 15:59 (six years ago) link
So Memphis has banners hanging with Al Green song titles on Main Street--"Love and Happiness" and "Let's Stay Together"
http://esotolson.com/my-work/downtown-mempht-pole-banners/
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 29 August 2017 17:28 (six years ago) link
have been listening to Al Green is Love today. Love Ritual = reet choon!
― calzino, Tuesday, 29 August 2017 17:31 (six years ago) link
I've been diving deep into Green's discography lately. I'm convinced his 70s' output was one of the most consistent runs ever, comparable to the Beatles and Dylan in the 60s, Sinatra in the 50s, Louis Armstrong in the 20s and early 30s, etc.
― Jazzbo, Wednesday, 24 January 2018 16:19 (six years ago) link
Here’s Xgau’s ratings for Green’s ’70s albums — 13 non-comp records and only a couple of "stinkers."
Al Green Gets Next to You [Hi, 1970] ALet's Stay Together [Hi, 1972] A-Al Green [Bell, 1972] B-I'm Still in Love With You [Hi, 1972] A-Call Me [Hi, 1973] A+Livin' for You [Hi, 1973] AAl Green Explores Your Mind [Hi, 1974] B+Al Green's Greatest Hits [Hi, 1975] AAl Green Is Love [Hi/The Right Stuff, 1975] AFull of Fire [Hi, 1976] A-Have a Good Time [Hi, 1976] B+Al Green's Greatest Hits Volume II [Hi, 1977] A-The Belle Album [Hi, 1977] ALove Ritual [Hi, 1978] B-Truth n' Time [Hi, 1979] B+
― Jazzbo, Wednesday, 24 January 2018 16:25 (six years ago) link
Yeah even his lesser albums from the late 70s have some fantastic songs on them. And although the narrative is that he went gospel and fell off, that isn't really the case. They're less consistently fantastic than his peak 70s stuff, but a lot of those 80s albums are excellent in their own right.
― Evan R, Wednesday, 24 January 2018 16:32 (six years ago) link
Agree with xgau on Full of Fire and The Belle Album
― Heez, Wednesday, 24 January 2018 17:23 (six years ago) link
Yep. This guy made albums – like, with album tracks as good or superior to singles.
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 24 January 2018 17:47 (six years ago) link
Lot of well-deserved love upthread for The Belle Album. That's the one I listen to the most at this point.
― that's not my post, Wednesday, 24 January 2018 18:46 (six years ago) link
the version of "unchained melody" on livin' for you occurs in deep time imo
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 25 January 2018 20:04 (six years ago) link
ive been feeling his "funny how time slips away" so much lately
― marcos, Thursday, 25 January 2018 20:09 (six years ago) link
Livin' for You and the Belle Album are the ones I go back to most frequently. But, yeah: the whole run is pretty solid.
― he doesn't need to be racist about it though. (Austin), Friday, 26 January 2018 05:14 (six years ago) link
This has been the one killing me lately.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7zclKteJs0
― Jazzbo, Friday, 26 January 2018 17:30 (six years ago) link
Maybe my favorite of his album tracks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pupeAPWStR4
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 26 January 2018 19:13 (six years ago) link
"beware" is a monster
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 26 January 2018 19:17 (six years ago) link
when that acoustic guitar comes out of nowhere...
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 26 January 2018 19:20 (six years ago) link
This one is my personal fav... beyond beautiful
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xSj_iFMVJY
― Evan R, Friday, 26 January 2018 20:24 (six years ago) link
New track, cover of “Before the Next Teardrop Falls”:https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2018/09/13/647053567/hear-al-greens-first-new-recording-in-nearly-a-decade
― St Etienne Is Real (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 16 September 2018 19:56 (five years ago) link
i love the recreated Hi Records sound
― Karl Malone, Sunday, 16 September 2018 21:04 (five years ago) link
it could be included on any number of his classic records without sticking out, which is a very high bar to clear imo
― Karl Malone, Sunday, 16 September 2018 21:05 (five years ago) link
i sure fucking hope this isn't going to be the album cover:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SKWRkMU0L._AA256_.jpg
― budo jeru, Sunday, 16 September 2018 22:51 (five years ago) link
i hope that didn't take longer than 45 seconds to put together
yeah, i'm kinda wondering what the deal is with new al green tracks in general, though! this new one is part of a compilation of that producer:
Green recorded the track at Sam Phillips Studios with Matt Ross-Spang, the brilliant producer and engineer who is the proprietor of that historic mid-century modern Memphis sound shrine. The recording is part of Amazon Music's new "Produced By" series highlighting the gifts of board masters like Ross-Spang; this week's offerings, all produced by him, also features new material from Margo Price, John Prine and William Bell.
which is cool, but...i mean, can we pretty please have 8-10 more new ones? i would love to hear more.
― Karl Malone, Monday, 17 September 2018 02:43 (five years ago) link
trying to make Matt Ross-Spang the star here... hmm...
― niels, Monday, 17 September 2018 06:21 (five years ago) link
Greatest album artist ever?
― You like queer? I like queer. Still like queer. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 27 October 2018 03:45 (five years ago) link
That run of albums is pretty hard to top.
― Alma Kirby (Tom D.), Saturday, 27 October 2018 10:03 (five years ago) link
The gospel albums sound like FIRE this morning.
― You like queer? I like queer. Still like queer. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 27 October 2018 13:47 (five years ago) link
^ I love The Belle Album ... what of his gospel discs should I get next?
― that's not my post, Saturday, 27 October 2018 23:11 (five years ago) link
I'll Rise Again
― You like queer? I like queer. Still like queer. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 28 October 2018 00:52 (five years ago) link
If I only know "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?" and I like it in a slightly "I could imagine Tindersticks covering this" sort of way ... what Al Green do I listen to next?
― djh, Friday, 7 December 2018 22:57 (five years ago) link
see my guide linked here last month
― Your sweetie-pie-coo-coo I love ya (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 7 December 2018 23:01 (five years ago) link
Oh, thanks - I'd missed that.
I'm going to enjoy exploring that.
― djh, Friday, 7 December 2018 23:46 (five years ago) link
who did this? 😂 pic.twitter.com/TzJZdbq0Xc— Al Green (@algreen) September 2, 2020
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 2 September 2020 18:44 (three years ago) link
(holy crap, apparently that's in my hometown!)
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 2 September 2020 18:45 (three years ago) link
haha, yeah i think that was posted on another thread just yesterday. love that al saw it!
by chance, i just so happened to receive 2 al green LPs in the mail! two pretty obscure ones: I'm Still in Love with You and Let's Stay Together :)
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 2 September 2020 18:59 (three years ago) link
is this the first "who did this" tweet where the person who tweeted it didn't do it or knew who did it but decided not to credit them
― frogbs, Wednesday, 2 September 2020 18:59 (three years ago) link
my al green collection currently:
I'm Still in Love with You *****Let's Stay Together *****Livin' For You ****Call Me *****Explores Your Mind ****The Belle Album ******Precious Lord **
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 2 September 2020 19:02 (three years ago) link
sadly, the original tweet was from the day before, and they did reply to their own tweet with credit:
This is the artists Instagram pic.twitter.com/3KCSQom0Vj— Barmelo Xanthony (@Actn_jcksn) September 1, 2020
but i guess when al green picked it up he didn't see the reply
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 2 September 2020 19:07 (three years ago) link
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, September 2, 2020 8:02 PM (ten minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink
as good as it gets tbr
― Give me a Chad Smith-type feel (map), Wednesday, 2 September 2020 19:15 (three years ago) link
Y'all need Gets Next to You, like, now.
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 2 September 2020 19:15 (three years ago) link
'all need Gets Next to You, like, now.
yep, that's the last one i'm missing that seems really important and obviousobv that was the case with Still in Love and Let's Stay Together, until this afternoon. but are there any others like that? Al Green is Love, Have a Good Time, Full of Fire - anyone have thoughts on those? i can't imagine any of them being _bad_
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 2 September 2020 19:19 (three years ago) link
i had gets next to you once upon a time ;_;
― Give me a Chad Smith-type feel (map), Wednesday, 2 September 2020 19:21 (three years ago) link
They're not bad but the songwriting, once tight as hell, starts to develop flab.
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 2 September 2020 19:24 (three years ago) link
god, I love Al. lucky enough to see him perform 8 years ago, and other than some high notes that were raspier than previously, he still had it.
need to dig into the albums proper, I just had collections.
playing the title track to "I'm Still in Love With You". every bit of it is fantastic, the chord progressions, his feather-soft vocalizations, that chorus, the backing vocals. gentlest falsetto in the game.
oi. down the rabbit hole I go.
― Neanderthal, Wednesday, 2 September 2020 19:35 (three years ago) link
Listen to "Beware." Savor that outro.
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 2 September 2020 19:36 (three years ago) link
minor coincidences on Let's Stay Together and I'm Still in Love With You:
- both released in 1972- the first side of each features 5 songs, leading off with the legendary title track co-written with Jackson and Mitchell, along with a second co-write with one other musician, and 3 solo green credits. - the second side of each features 4 songs, starting with 2 covers, and ending with 2 al green originals (although "Look what you done for me" has to ruin it by being a co-write with Mitchell and Jackson)
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 2 September 2020 19:37 (three years ago) link
yeah, that was generally my feeling about Livin' for You, and allmusic reviews and the like kind of paint a similar picture with Is Love, Have a Good Time, and Full of Fire.
thing is, i would listen to him sing a phone book, so they're still solid. it's hard for there to be a bad al green song.
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 2 September 2020 19:40 (three years ago) link
the thing about have a good time is that it has 'something' on it and that's easily his best ballad and maybe even his best song, full stop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX84PMkoCuE
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Wednesday, 2 September 2020 19:46 (three years ago) link
also: not to worry, it's not the beatles tune.
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Wednesday, 2 September 2020 19:47 (three years ago) link
oh dang, i will listen to that in a moment! that's exactly what i'm looking for - that gem that makes the whole album worth having, if you can find it.
i splurged the other night and got several albums that i've been meaning to get for a long, long time - the 2 ur-legendary al greens i mentioned above, but also Curtis and Muddy Waters Sings 'Big Bill'. my living room is a nice place to be, for a few hours
― Karl Malone, Wednesday, 2 September 2020 19:50 (three years ago) link
Livin' For You is a hair's breath less amazing than Call Me.
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 2 September 2020 19:56 (three years ago) link
I was scared to open this thread. When I saw him at Jazzfest last year he was in noticeably not great health and voice. That billboard is beyond awesome.
― Orson Well Yeah (Dan Peterson), Wednesday, 2 September 2020 19:57 (three years ago) link
I have everything from Al Green Gets Next to You through Livin' For You, an unimpeachable five album run, and I have The Belle Album which is also great, but I wound up selling off the four albums in between. The stuff I'd want from those four I already have on a compilation - and it is great stuff - but I didn't feel like those albums had the material to sustain them for the whole LP.
Beyond that, Love Ritual is a great archive/rarities collection, and for someone decades past his hit-making days, I Can't Stop and Lay It Down has some fine cuts. They don't hold up as great albums on closer listening, but there are a few great tracks and at minimum the albums sound good playing in the background.
Wish there was a great live video somewhere, but at least there's some prime shit on YouTube. (The live album from Japan isn't bad, but it feels lacking. Honestly, live albums feel more and more lacking in the age of YouTube.)
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 2 September 2020 20:23 (three years ago) link
Like CCR, a casual fan could live with the famous Greatest Hits never suspecting how the studio albums boast gestalt, deep cuts, and looser arrangements.
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 2 September 2020 20:28 (three years ago) link
*As with CCR
Marley's Legend, too. Wall to wall great tracks, but there's so much more out there.
― Orson Well Yeah (Dan Peterson), Wednesday, 2 September 2020 20:39 (three years ago) link
― No mean feat. DaBaby (breastcrawl), Wednesday, 2 September 2020 21:09 (three years ago) link
teenie hodges deserves credit for some of those perfect but unlikely chord changes.
― Thus Sang Freud, Wednesday, 2 September 2020 23:31 (three years ago) link
yup
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 2 September 2020 23:50 (three years ago) link
I got to meet Teenie once. He was playing a club in New Orleans, and dressed like a ninja.
― Orson Well Yeah (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 3 September 2020 04:01 (three years ago) link
was he trying to play music in secret?
― Neanderthal, Thursday, 3 September 2020 04:06 (three years ago) link
― Orson Well Yeah (Dan Peterson), Wednesday, September 2, 2020 7:57 PM
Too bad. He looked well and sounded pretty good at his church when I saw him there in August 2017. Although he didn't sound quite as good as when I first saw him outside DC at Wolf Trap Farm Park many years before that.
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 3 September 2020 04:46 (three years ago) link
I saw him in 2012, his "Amazing Grace" was fantastic that evening
― Neanderthal, Thursday, 3 September 2020 04:52 (three years ago) link
Saw him in May last year, and he mentioned difficulties in the past year (alluding to health difficulties). But he was fine and in good spirits walking around, especially when handing out one rose after another. I didn't expect his singing to be in his '70s or even '00s form, especially at 72, but he was mostly fine and there were sublime moments.
― birdistheword, Thursday, 3 September 2020 06:55 (three years ago) link
I could never get into Al Green. Obviously his own voice is fantastic, but there's something about his stuff that's just really flat. I don't know if it's the production jobs or whatever, but the actual music invariably sounds a bit lifeless.
― does it look like i'm here (jon123), Thursday, 3 September 2020 10:45 (three years ago) link
Lifeless ??I mean, it's all a question of taste obviously, but lifeless is quite an amazingly mind boggling description of his music !It's so vibrant and groovy and sensual. Love him.
― AlXTC from Paris, Thursday, 3 September 2020 11:32 (three years ago) link
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEprvjwA4ZJ/
― call mr zbow that's my name that name again is mr zbow (Craig D.), Thursday, 3 September 2020 13:59 (three years ago) link
(Ah, of course that was what revived this thread in the first name--apologies for the double-poewhoawhoawhoawhoast [it is the Al thread after all])
― call mr zbow that's my name that name again is mr zbow (Craig D.), Thursday, 3 September 2020 14:01 (three years ago) link
(place, that is)
he was mostly fine and there were sublime moments.
Just wanted to add that this was really my experience too. The health/voice concerns were mostly when he seemed winded and would sit and sip Gatorade for a bit and let the audience singalong power the song. The high points of the show were joyous.
https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/festivals/article_2e73dbe9-8dce-5107-9486-aa5226689125.html
― Orson Well Yeah (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 3 September 2020 14:19 (three years ago) link
want to just stick up for "truth n' time" which, while maybe not on par with the peak HI / hodges / willie mitchell records, i think is definitely worth a spin. and it will only take less than 27 minutes of your time !
― budo jeru, Thursday, 3 September 2020 15:03 (three years ago) link
This might work on the 'songs which' thread but listening to the Belle Album and wondering if, like in the title track, there are any other tracks which are explicitly about a threesome with big JC?
― Vanishing Point (Chinaski), Saturday, 19 September 2020 19:34 (three years ago) link
Dylan's "Covenant Woman".
― James Gandolfini the Grey (PBKR), Saturday, 19 September 2020 19:52 (three years ago) link
Shout Factory TV posted this on YouTube a month ago - it's the full episode but skip to 22:00, Green starts his half-hour set after the break. Grab it while you can, this is some damn hot shit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBjBgVwbCw4
h/t to Jimmy McDonough who turned me on to this appearance.
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 05:15 (three years ago) link
Man, it's actually not a half-hour, it's two songs, then a third about 20 minutes later, but still great stuff, especially for how it's shot.
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 06:05 (three years ago) link
The second number, "I'm So Tired of Being Alone," is just AWESOME, especially when the camera floats up close and circles to his front. Just a flat-out AMAZING performance.
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 06:15 (three years ago) link
Wow thanks for that it’s fantastic indeed !What a magnetic performer.
― AlXTC from Paris, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 08:43 (three years ago) link
― The Ballad of Mel Cooley (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 10:32 (three years ago) link
This is another of those threads we all have to be careful bumping. (throws salt over shoulder.)
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 13:06 (three years ago) link
Do love the gets next ToYou album which is where teh studio version of the Tired of being Alone appears.I think the version soul/r'n'b that the band is playing on that lp is about an absolute apex of teh form for me but was apparently just a point the band was passing through on their way somewhere else.
Finding something similar with the band backing Little Richard on the Rill Thing. Sublime but I think just a transitory thing that was part of a longer curve or not dependent on whether that band actually played together more. Still would love to find more of the sound both of those records coalesce to individually.
― Stevolende, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 13:22 (three years ago) link
knowarrimean
Is it mentioned in the bio?
Yes, but it kind of gets a brief mention in his Neil Young bio. The TV show wasn't available (or at least easily found) when I read it years ago, so I forgot about it, and then flipping through the book again, I was reminded of it. He brings it up in the chapter on Freedom while listing other great TV musical performances.
McDonough doesn't actually focus on the broadcast uploaded by Shout Factory. According to his Al Green bio, Green made TWO appearances on Soul! that year. By the time Green did the latter, he had blown up into an enormous star, and he was invited as the only guest. He gets the full hour, and it's apparently treasured by some Al Green aficionados as his greatest live performance on film or record: http://www.trunkworthy.com/witness-al-greens-finest-hour-a-moving-soothing-grooving-dose-of-soul/ (Bits and pieces can be found on YouTube, but unlike the earlier appearance I posted, there's no official upload, much less one that's been restored or sourced from the original broadcast master.)
McDonough doesn't say much about the earlier broadcast, but despite its brevity, that appearance has one big advantage over the later performance: the camera work. Unlike the later appearance, they've cleared out the floor space around Green, allowing them to place their cameras MUCH closer, and it makes a world of a difference - you see every nuance in his face and gestures including some long, unbroken shots of Green in close-up. It's so good, it's actually disappointing we only get three songs.
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 16:55 (three years ago) link
thanks a lot for posting that. i am very tempted to screen/video capture it so i can keep it after it gets taken down. the performance and filming of "tired of being alone", in particular, is astounding. the set is minimal, but whoever filmed it did a fantastic job. starting with his velvet-tipped shoes, profile shot from the side, catching him tapping his foot, panning up to the face, with the black background. and he is in peak, al green handsome, perfect voice, can do no wrong, no surprise. already some small beads of sweat showing on his forehead. the second verse comes around and the camera slowly shifts from the profile to the front shot, with this lovely era-specific soft-orange glow. i'm not sure words are appropriate for the magnificence of that middle 1/3 of the performance. then the final verse/chorus, a final shift of the camera and zoom out, to show his band behind him as he brings it home.
i think it's all one shot, too? brilliant performance.
i watched the rest of the show, too. holy shit. that was a good fucking show and i would like to track down the rest of the episodes too.
― Zach_TBD (Karl Malone), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 19:21 (three years ago) link
Shout Factory seems to have put up a bunch from the masters, but I'm hoping they or someone get around to the Stevie Wonder episode. He plays for the entire 60 minute show and is amazing.
― city worker, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 19:29 (three years ago) link
yeah, i took a moment to dream on this wikipedia paragraph:
Among the musical performers who appeared on the show were Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind, and Fire, the Dells, Ashford and Simpson,[3] Al Green, Tito Puente, McCoy Tyner, Max Roach, Gladys Knight, The Delfonics, Kool & The Gang, Mandrill, and Black Ivory, as well as African performers Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba.[5] Others who appeared on the program included boxer Muhammad Ali, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, minister (later politician) Jesse Jackson, actor / singer Harry Belafonte, actor Sidney Poitier,[5] and Kathleen Cleaver, wife of Eldridge Cleaver.[6] Legendary poetry collective The Last Poets also performed on the show.[7]
patti labelle on the premiere, too
― Zach_TBD (Karl Malone), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 19:42 (three years ago) link
that’s great footage of a wonderful performance!a propos of nothing: Al Green has been one of my all-time favourite artists for more or less forever, and yet I never realised what an incredibly hot guy he was in his prime.
― Blick, Bils & Blinky • Let's Skip The Shaker Intros (breastcrawl), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 19:58 (three years ago) link
You're right, they did that whole song in ONE shot!
There's another priceless moment in "Let's Stay Together." For the bulk of it, the camera's off to the side, so Green's rarely looking at the camera...but deep into the song, right after he sings "But you'd never do that to me?" he glances to the left, finds the camera, and flashes that awesome, seductive smile and croons "...would you baby?" Even without the video, it would've been awesome because his phrasing is ridiculously perfect. But seeing it? DAMN.
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 20:03 (three years ago) link
yet I never realised what an incredibly hot guy he was in his prime.
i think there's an unspoken understanding among all people in relationships that if 1971 al green shows up at your door and wants to sweet talk one or both of you and maybe stay up til 3 o clock in the morn, then that's just going to happen
― Zach_TBD (Karl Malone), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 20:07 (three years ago) link
PBS just ran an Independent Lens doc on Soul!! last week. Questlove raves about those Al performances.
― "what are you DOING to fleetwood mac??" (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 20:15 (three years ago) link
_yet I never realised what an incredibly hot guy he was in his prime._i think there's an unspoken understanding among all people in relationships that if 1971 al green shows up at your door and wants to sweet talk one or both of you and maybe stay up til 3 o clock in the morn, then that's just going to happen
― Blick, Bils & Blinky • Let's Skip The Shaker Intros (breastcrawl), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 20:18 (three years ago) link
got kind of worried when i saw the revive but instead it's just exactly the kind of ho-hum "best ever is best ever" revive that i love to see all day every day.
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 21:46 (three years ago) link
Here's another favorite, from a Soul Train appearance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vntdKHhhWw
Quality isn't great - looks like a VHS recording - but Green's amazing, incredibly lively even with his arm in a sling.
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 22:16 (three years ago) link
"Have You Been Making Out Okay with Al Green?"
― So who you gonna call? The martini police (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 22:17 (three years ago) link
more than okay, friend ;)
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 22:20 (three years ago) link
Make room on that sofa, sailor
― So who you gonna call? The martini police (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 22:23 (three years ago) link
There's some discussion (and dead links) about this upthread. Too bad there aren't better copies of it on YT, as what sparked that discussion was a remastered rerun from when Soul Train had ceased production and was airing classic episodes (the YMO appearance was also exhumed).
In the interview, he explains the sling as the result of "my fans and I haven't a disagreement about whether I should get into a car" (he'd had a limo door slammed on his arm after a gig).
― "what are you DOING to fleetwood mac??" (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 22:36 (three years ago) link
Not sure if they're still up, but Shout Factory had a bunch of Soul!! eps up for free on Prime.
― "what are you DOING to fleetwood mac??" (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 22:38 (three years ago) link
― "what are you DOING to fleetwood mac??" (C. Grisso/McCain)
YES!!!!!!!!! it is all up there
― Zach_TBD (Karl Malone), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 23:18 (three years ago) link
I watched few today, they rule
― nobody like my rap (One Eye Open), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 23:18 (three years ago) link
episode 3 has max roachepisodes 4-5 are a two part interview between james baldwin and nikki giovanni (who i don't know, but every single person affiliated with this show seems to rule)episode 6 bill withers singing ain't no sunshine (which didn't even make the damn wikipedia entry?!!)
it goes on and on
― Zach_TBD (Karl Malone), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 23:20 (three years ago) link
jeez, they had to throw in mccoy tyner on the bill withers episode too, just to fill it out a bit
― Zach_TBD (Karl Malone), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 23:23 (three years ago) link
Info on the PBS Doc: https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/films/mr-soul/
― "what are you DOING to fleetwood mac??" (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 23:52 (three years ago) link
nice, thanks! maybe the PBS doc led to the youtube upload which led to this al green revival (which is only appropriate), which led me to all of these nice episodes and now the doc as well! the bill withers episode has been sick. mccoy tyner's band is great of course, and i really enjoyed listening to bill withers talk about coming from nowhere and just being grounded. i always knew he was a great guy from reputation and his music, but it so cool to hear him speak at length, fumble at things like not knowing what "prognosis" was in a question, and just being as relatable as humanly possible.
― Zach_TBD (Karl Malone), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 23:58 (three years ago) link
yes -- when i saw this earlier today i was going to link to the doc but i got sidetracked. it's an independent lens production iirc?
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Thursday, 4 March 2021 00:07 (three years ago) link
sidebar: if anyone has not yet watched the bill withers still bill documentary from a few years ago, you're not really living your best life just yet. just saying.
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Thursday, 4 March 2021 00:57 (three years ago) link
y'all should play the second side of Livin' For You.
That's all.
― So who you gonna call? The martini police (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 4 March 2021 01:01 (three years ago) link
also the first side.
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Thursday, 4 March 2021 01:06 (three years ago) link
and both the second and first sides of every other album al green released between the years of 1967 and 1977.
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Thursday, 4 March 2021 01:15 (three years ago) link
then join us on the couch
― So who you gonna call? The martini police (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 4 March 2021 01:15 (three years ago) link
Is it odd to prefer the non-singles on Let's Stay Together to the non-singles on I'm Still in Love With You? I think Call Me is stronger than both.
― Halfway there but for you, Thursday, 4 March 2021 01:43 (three years ago) link
Play The Love Sermon from Al Green Is Love, repeat as needed
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Thursday, 4 March 2021 02:27 (three years ago) link
is that ... ornette coleman in the front row at 43:44 ??
― budo jeru, Thursday, 4 March 2021 03:00 (three years ago) link
It looks like him, but about 20 years too young.
― Halfway there but for you, Thursday, 4 March 2021 03:13 (three years ago) link
They released this performance on DVD a while ago. Stevie wonders soul TV performance was also meant to be released but I think it got pulled for some reason which is a big shame (I stupidly sold a promo DVD of it as I thought it would he released officialy).
Was listening to the album al made with questlove just a few weeks ago as it happens. It's pretty good. Maybe low on strong songs but I found it hard to resist, and was just pleased to hear al in the present day, even if I didnt totally buy some of the overtly romantic sentiments.
― candyman, Thursday, 4 March 2021 07:01 (three years ago) link
McDonough's book talks about this. Linda Wills later claimed Green injured it going through a revolving door. Members of Green's band claim it happened on tour in Ft. Lauderdale - on that tour, they were playing theaters essentially run by gangsters. Green tried to cancel the gig because he wasn't feeling well. There was an argument with the theater owner, and eventually the band watched as this giant thug in a suit walked into Green's dressing room. After a bit of time, that thug came out and left, and ten minutes later, a doctor came in and went into Green's dressing room. The theater owners then told the band they were PLAYING, and when they went to rehearse, Green showed up later with the cast. After that, the band said Green started carrying a gun.
― birdistheword, Saturday, 13 March 2021 22:38 (three years ago) link
https://www.howardgrimesdrummer.com/about
Drummer Howard Grimes memoir coming July 1
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 25 May 2021 21:57 (two years ago) link
https://staxmuseum.com/event/book-event-timekeeper-my-life-in-rhythm-an-evening-with-howard-grimes-preston-lauterbach/?fbclid=IwAR0xSrgaGSL3U_SjHsraltp8QqLp8DTpLhDGnlaksAsgsrseWauEnwRkiqk
Wed July 21 drummer Grimes talks with Preston Lauterbach at Stax on Zoom
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 17 July 2021 02:18 (two years ago) link
No stems no seeds just Al Green
― calstars, Saturday, 17 July 2021 02:36 (two years ago) link
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/09/23/memphis-music-history-hi-rhythm-rev-charles-hodges-book/5790901001/?fbclid=IwAR0AqmljkfGAEhOIHTxnPX1rP2oYfHDTdC_Lo3cbtIT-jKtcsVUbIIaf5qo
Per writer Robert Gordon— Hi Records organist / keyboardist Charles Hodges has a book coming out . Release event at his church this Sunday! The Rev. Charles Hodges discusses "My Story," a book about his life, at 3 p.m. Sunday at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 7786 Poplar Pike, Germantown. The event is free and open to the public
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 23 September 2021 15:14 (two years ago) link
Sadly seeing on Facebook now that Memphis drummer Howard Grimes has passed away. He played on Stax and Hi records and efforts by Al Green and Ann Peebles. He released a book about his life last year.
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 12 February 2022 23:58 (two years ago) link
Howard Grimes and Al Jackson both played on song “Love and Happiness “ I think. Grimes was on congas.
― curmudgeon, Monday, 14 February 2022 18:04 (two years ago) link
Great obituary from Bob Mehr, giving credit where it's due:
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/02/12/howard-grimes-obit-hi-rhythm-stax-memphis-music/6770160001/
Bob Mehr is the same guy who just won a Grammy for his liner notes to the Replacements' Dead Man's Pop box set, no surprise as he also wrote one of THE great bios on any band (again, the Replacements).
― birdistheword, Monday, 14 February 2022 19:57 (two years ago) link
Opened this thread, saw the words "Great obituary" and just about lost my shit for a moment before reading more closely.
RIP Howard Grimes.
― Three Rings for the Elven Bishop (Dan Peterson), Monday, 14 February 2022 20:02 (two years ago) link
Glad Grimes survived that period after Hi Records when he was divorced, homeless, and having addiction issues. Got a bit of recognition and work in recent years.
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 15 February 2022 18:29 (two years ago) link
RIP to one of the greatest. Pretty sure Howard Grimes was on kit for "Love & Happiness". From Willie Mitchell:
“Usually I’d have Al (Jackson) play those sessions by himself,” Mitchell says. “Sometimes I’d play the conga drum with him, on things like ’Let’s Stay Together.’ But there were times that Al Jackson couldn’t get the feel I wanted, on songs like ’Take Me To The River’ or ’Love & Happiness,’ so I had Howard come in for that. Now, Al could actually play anything … but he couldn’t play it raggedy. And when that’s what I wanted to have, I called Howard.”
https://drummagazine.com/al-jackson-jr-the-sound-of-60s-soul/
― change display name (Jordan), Tuesday, 15 February 2022 18:33 (two years ago) link
Pretty sure he talks about it on his Trap Set interview too:https://www.thetrapset.net/042-howard-grimes-al-green-ann-peebles-rufus-thomas-the-bo-keys/
Author Preston Lauterbach , who helped Howard Grimes prepare his book, is saying on his Substack that Grimes widow could use financial donations. He says just to contact him. He also notes that the wake of Friday, funeral Saturday, and on Saturday there will be a Beale Street processional beginning at 11:30am on the corner of Second and Beale.
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 17 February 2022 01:47 (two years ago) link
i'm still in love with you is the greatest album of all time
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 21 July 2022 16:26 (one year ago) link
checks out
― pasty drunks fuck off (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 21 July 2022 16:40 (one year ago) link
Second only to Livin' For You.
― Malevolent Arugula (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 21 July 2022 16:55 (one year ago) link
I get caught up in the descending chord progressions of "What a Wonderful Thing Love Is" and "Look What You Done For Me".
― Halfway there but for you, Thursday, 21 July 2022 17:28 (one year ago) link
I read that as "condescending" lol
― Malevolent Arugula (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 21 July 2022 17:32 (one year ago) link
No, they're deeply compassionate!
― Halfway there but for you, Thursday, 21 July 2022 17:34 (one year ago) link
the best version of "for the good times"
― Heez, Thursday, 21 July 2022 18:16 (one year ago) link
If I had to pick only one, it would be Call Me, but why pick one masterpiece over another? There's at least five in a row, plus Belle later on and a bunch of good ones in between and after.
― birdistheword, Thursday, 21 July 2022 18:22 (one year ago) link
a lot of his albums are severely underrated. i scored Al Green Is Love for 5 bucks recently at a pretty expensive record store.
― Heez, Thursday, 21 July 2022 18:27 (one year ago) link
beat guitar sound, best drum sound
― brimstead, Thursday, 21 July 2022 18:45 (one year ago) link
best
Love Ritual: Rare and Previously Unreleased 1968-1976 is a great one too. He left plenty of choice rarities in the can.
I just wish there was a definitive concert film, but you can at least piece together a great video compilation of his TV performances. (The live Tokyo album ain't bad, but it's not the great live album he has in him.)
― birdistheword, Thursday, 21 July 2022 19:25 (one year ago) link
Midnight Special YT channel just uploaded some clips from '73 & '74
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVMijYHnbGw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evv1xwK5UYA
― an icon of a worried-looking, long-haired, bespectacled man (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 16 March 2023 23:28 (one year ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc1wS61RgEM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU4UNv13S58
― an icon of a worried-looking, long-haired, bespectacled man (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 16 March 2023 23:42 (one year ago) link
ty these are greaat
― four square ups... no punches thrown (Spottie), Thursday, 16 March 2023 23:51 (one year ago) link
oh dear
― budo jeru, Friday, 17 March 2023 03:49 (one year ago) link
great revive
― budo jeru, Friday, 17 March 2023 03:59 (one year ago) link
"Jesus is Waiting" is almost enough to make me want to accept the Lord.
― immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Friday, 17 March 2023 04:02 (one year ago) link
He was so great in the '70s, it's a shame there hasn't been a definitive live release put together, either an album or a DVD/Blu-ray. (The Tokyo album didn't quite do him justice.) It's all out there is pieces though, like in those clips.
― birdistheword, Friday, 17 March 2023 04:13 (one year ago) link
I don't think I have seen the 1984 Robert Mugge directed live "Gospel According to Al Green" film doc
― curmudgeon, Friday, 17 March 2023 15:40 (one year ago) link
Awesome revive
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Friday, 17 March 2023 16:56 (one year ago) link
Can't help but notice the front row of the audience is all women.
― Maggot Bairn (Tom D.), Friday, 17 March 2023 21:44 (one year ago) link
it's a shame there hasn't been a definitive live release put together
in my opinion, the videos make the experience; his moves are everything. when it comes to audio, i'm extremely fine listening to the studio recordings, which are some of the best sounding records ever.
― budo jeru, Friday, 17 March 2023 21:54 (one year ago) link
― Maggot Bairn (Tom D.), Friday, March 17, 2023 9:44 PM (eighteen minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink
uh yeah did you see the man singing on stage? god at his peak he was just unbelievably hot.
xp to jimbeaux you made my heart skip a beat thinking that one of these midnight specials was a "jesus is waiting" performance but alas
― ꙮ (map), Friday, 17 March 2023 22:07 (one year ago) link
sorry to be crass but al green setting the tempo by clapping before the band kicks in on "love and happiness" is on some "fuck me right goddamn now" shit
― ꙮ (map), Friday, 17 March 2023 22:09 (one year ago) link
all about the foreplay
― corrs unplugged, Saturday, 18 March 2023 17:16 (one year ago) link
new single, cover of "Perfect Day"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5NT_079_X0
― Brad C., Tuesday, 22 August 2023 16:05 (seven months ago) link
Whoa.
― Random Restaurateur (Jordan), Tuesday, 22 August 2023 17:30 (seven months ago) link
He sounds great!
― dinnerboat, Tuesday, 22 August 2023 18:50 (seven months ago) link
His voice is great but I am not sure about the arrangement . Need to listen again
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 24 August 2023 04:55 (seven months ago) link
His voice is still in great shape, but he doesn't really sell these particular lyrics (he doesn't even attempt the note of doomed heartbreak Lou achieves in his vocals on the original, and Al Green can definitely do heartbreak if he wants to), and like 90% of everything Green has recorded away from Willie Mitchell, the production/arrangement seems to have no idea how to compliment his gorgeous voice.
― MumblestheRevelator, Saturday, 26 August 2023 10:51 (seven months ago) link
Yeah, he floats above the melody.
― the dreaded dependent claus (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 26 August 2023 11:34 (seven months ago) link
Lou put Belle by Al Green in his top 10
https://www.clashmusic.com/news/lou-reed-once-named-his-10-favourite-albums/
― bbq, Saturday, 26 August 2023 11:41 (seven months ago) link
He was well known as a big Al Green fan.
― Monthly Python (Tom D.), Saturday, 26 August 2023 11:47 (seven months ago) link
there is something problematic with the verses being in a higher register than the chorus. maybe it's something a non-singer can pull off better than a singer.
― Thus Sang Freud, Saturday, 26 August 2023 11:58 (seven months ago) link
the "You're going to reap just what you sow" outro has a very different vibe coming from the Rev. Green
― Brad C., Saturday, 26 August 2023 17:42 (seven months ago) link
Al has always been Christian obviously, but I love this one from his “Christian” albums
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo-rWMAfbNs
― bbq, Saturday, 26 August 2023 23:02 (seven months ago) link