I number of years ago (during the first Clinton term), the President gave the closing comments at a televised gala devoted to some worthy cause. Behind him was a choir comprising that night's celebrities. Bill was was, no doubt, wowing folks with his usual eloquence and feel of the moment. It was a dignified moment, a moment of compassion and striving toward the greater ideals of humanity and all that.

Almost directly behind him was the Rev. Al Green, whose excited demeanor totally belied the pretext of Clinton's speech and the occasion. Rocking from side to side while everyone around him stood stone still, Al gave the impression that he would, at any moment, start running in place and yelling to the crowd: "Let me hear ya say, 'YEAH!!!'" before letting loose with one of his high-pitched caterwauls. Whereas everyone else was wrapping up, Al looked like he was ready to go from simmer to sizzle in the blink of an eye.

And, sure, he's borne a ton of jokes about the whole grits incident (which was really a tragic tale, truth be told) and his penchant for duets, soundtrack cuts and recording both sacred & secular albums.

But, let's be real about it, Org: There's a short list of entertainers who can take you from church to the bedroom and back in 12 bars. And, the good Reverend is one of the few.

To Rev. Al
For the good times

al green is one of the greatest soul singers- scratch that- singers period of all-time... ...

have you been making out ok
for the good times
love and happiness
call me
belle
back up train
funny how time slips away
let's stay together
love is a beautiful thing
and the list goes on forever...

saw him in concert 2 years ago... began the concert with some of the greatest preaching you've ever heard... went into his gospel set, then jumped straight into the R&B hits... and sing 'em both with equal conviction... i've seen few people entertain a crowd like he does...

EllisDee, you're to blame for this thread. I reached for some Buddy, picked up some Aretha and said, "Wait -- Al."

A mix CD is underway. But, I keep getting stuck on "For the Good Times."

Listen to either that or "How Can You Mend..." and resist the urge to rock in your seat from side to side, goin' "Mmmph! Sing, Al!"

Can't be done.

Much like Chicago...there's SOMETHING about Memphis...

Supernova said:

And, there's something about the way people from Memphis SAY "Memphis." They say it adoringly, with the coolest lilt.

Ah!

Belle...

ThreadBare said:

... i'll take the blame gladly...

"for the good times" is probably my favorite... i've never heard someone make a song sound so seductive yet depressing at the same time...

and "how can you mend a broken heart"... .. there are no words to describe this song... when he did this one at the concert, the place erupted... you never heard so many just get torn up...

EllisDee said:

Yeah, I'm even putting "Give It Everything" on here.

I'm having to make some mean cuts. When are they gonna come out with the 100-minute CD?

ThreadBare said:

i hate that... when you get down to the crunch, and cutting tracks is almost as hard as deciding which child you would get rid of... :LOL:... ... well, maybe not that hard, but you get the idea...

"Tired Of Being Alone" (1971)---



This is the song that did it for me.My mother had this album (it's called 'Al Green Gets Next To You') and she played it constantly."Tired Of Being Alone" was the hit from this album.Al's vocals on this song are incredible!


Teena Marie has said that this is the song that inspired her to become a singer.

:WORSHIP: much 2 the Reverend Green. I saw Al Green at Glastonbury Festival in 1999. It was a hot, Sunday afternoon. He wore a lovely white suit and tie and through roses out 2 the crowd. He played all his hits,'Lets stick together', 'Take me to the river' etc and seemed a very bubbly and happy chap. I was very near the front and enjoyed it immensly

JDINTERACTIVE said:

DavidEye said:

I meant 'Stay' .....how embarassing
[This message was edited Thu May 22 3:54:47 PDT 2003 by JDINTERACTIVE]

JDINTERACTIVE said:

No problem...




...
[This message was edited Thu May 22 3:56:55 PDT 2003 by DavidEye]

DavidEye said:

I must have got Roxy Music on the brain

reverend al, reverend al, reverend al!!!

ThreadBare said:

Here, here! To Al Green: "Love and Happiness" Always!

love sermon

how can you mend a broken heart

school days

simply beautiful

what a wonderful thing love is

livin' for you




...if none of these songs getcha testifyin, nothin will.

Al's the man his voice sounds like he just got done eating a plate of greens and some cornbread, but seriously he's helped me through some hard times

thanks Al here's to you

Cheers to Al


he took me to the river and dropped me in the water