Elly Roberts reviews
Al Green: Everything's OK
Distributed by
Blue Note (EMI)
- Released: March 2005
- Rating: 10/10
- Cat.no.: ALGR01
Bag yourself a real treat with Al Green's new album Everything's OK.
Secular music hasn’t been Reverend Al Green's remit for several decades. The Baptist
minister has been releasing Gospel/Blues albums on a regular basis (winning
Grammys on the way), so this comes as bit of surprise, as he swaps his pulpit
at the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Memphis for the recording studio.
Possessing one of the most outstanding and distinctive voices on the ‘Soul
Scene’, this is an immaculate return to form. Commercially, Green peaked in the
early '70s with a string of memorable and sensual love songs - Tired Of Being
Alone and Let’s Stay Together.
Green started singing professionally aged 9 years, when he and his brothers formed a gospel quartet,The Greene Brothers
in their home town of Forest City Arkansas. They toured gospel clubs in the
South, then began performing around Michigan when the family relocated to
Grand Rapids. At 16, he formed Al Greene and the Creations with school
friends, releasing a single Back Up Train in 1967 under Al Greene and the
Soul Mates. It peaked at #5 on the national R&B chart.
When he went solo, he dropped the last ‘e’ in his surname.
Renowned bandleader, arranger and trumpeter Willie Mitchell predicted he’s
be a star, so he signed up for his Hi Records label. Working together, they
recorded eight albums until 1976 with sales over 20 million. Finding his own
voice wasn’t easy as he admits, "I was trying to sing like Jackie Wilson,
Wilson Pickett, James Brown and Sam Cooke. Willie said, 'Just sing like you.'
I said,'I didn’t know what that was' and so we just had to find that balance."
Nearly 30 years later the pair reunite for this spirited and soulful masterpiece,
which once again, showcases his remarkable vocal range. There’s strings, brass,
funky grooves and huge splash of earthiness (with six self-penned songs) that
may not make commercial sense, but will endear everyone who hears it. Clearly,
Green is revitalised, so it may not be too long before he’s seen running down
the aisle with a new batch of songs to record.
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
