0 Al Green Cooks up Definitive Classic Soul
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 01/25/2007
Capitol Records EMI has just released Al Green: The Definitive Greatest Hits on both CD and DVD.
The DVD adds six film and video clips, including TV performances from 1971, 1978 and 2004.
Before you scan through the 21 tracks we list on this new collection, here are 4 powerful Al Green "extras" I recommend for any serious "jolly Green giant" fan.
- "I'm a Ram" from Gets Next to You
- "Light My Fire" from Gets Next to You
- "Are You Lonely for me Baby" from Gets Next to You
- "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" from Let's Stay Together
Al Green Gets Next to You, released in 1971, may be his best album, as it emphasizes the grittiest aspects of his Memphis funk soul (with no pun intended).
Both "I'm a Ram" and "Are You Lonely for me Baby" showcase Green's raw Southern soul style with some slick horn arrangements courtesy of producer Willie Mitchell.
"Light My Fire" is a terrific interpretation of the Doors classic, as it's sung by Al in a slower bluesy delivery accented by an understated pulsating rhythm.
As Green progressed in his career, his hits were produced with a more mass appeal sound. You won't hear the harder edge. Al's cover of "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" is a great example.
"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" also appears on the R&B compilation CD, Soul of the Bee Gees featuring Gibb brother songs sung by Candi Staton, Chaka Khan, Melba Moore, Jerry Butler, Thelma Houston, and others.
Here are the tracks on Al Green: The Definitive Greatest Hits...
- Let's Stay Together
- Tired Of Being Alone
- Take Me To The River
- I'm Still In Love With You
- Look What You Done For Me
- Here I Am (Come & Take Me)
- Love & Happiness
- Keep Me Cryin'
- Call Me (Come Back Home)
- Livin' For You
- Let's Get Married
- Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)
- L-O-V-E (Love)
- You Ought To Be With Me
- Oh Me, Oh My (Dreams In My Arms)
- Full Of Fire
- Back Up Train - (with The Soul Mates)
- I Can't Get Next To You
- Belle
- I Can't Stop
- Perfect To Me
There's no argument that Al Green is one of the best "soul" singers of all time. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, and he deserves to be there.