Monday 14 September 2009

Al Green "Al Green Is Love"

Al Green

"Al Green Is Love"
( LP Hi Records, 1975 )
Catalog # SHL 32092


Tracklisting:
A1 L-O-V-E (Love) (3:03)
A2 Rhymes (3:33)
A3 The Love Sermon (6:36)
A4 There Is Love (3:03)
A5 Could I Be The One (4:05)
B1 Love Ritual (4:18)
B2 I Didn't Know (7:47)
B3 Oh Me, Oh My (Dreams In My Arms) (2:45)
B4 I Gotta Be More (Take Me Higher) (2:45)
B5 I Wish You Were Here (3:17)

Personnel & Credits:
Michael Allen Piano, Rhythm Section
Sandra Chalmers Vocals (bckgr)
Chris Clough Mastering Supervisor
Lewis Collins Horn (Tenor), Sax (Tenor)
Bill Dahl Liner Notes
Duncan Sisters Vocals (bckgr)
Colin Escott Liner Notes
Al Green Vocals, Producer
Howard Grimes Bongos, Conga, Drums, Rhythm Section
Jack Hale Trombone, Horn Section
Charles Hodges Organ, Piano
Leroy Hodges Bass, Rhythm Section
Mabon "Teenie" Hodges Guitar
Teenie Hodges Guitar, Rhythm Section
Wayne Jackson Trumpet, Horn Section
Larry Lee Guitar
Bob Levy Photography
Andrew Love Horn (Tenor), Sax (Tenor), Horn Section
The Memphis Strings Strings
James Mitchell Sax (Baritone), String Arrangements
Willie Mitchell Producer, Engineer, String Arrangements, Remixing
Bob Norberg Remastering
Rhodes Vocals (bckgr)
Rhodes, Chalmers & Rhodes Vocals (bckgr)
Alan Robinson Liner Notes
Phil Smee Typography
Archie Turner Piano, Rhythm Section

Review:
In a short time, Al Green became a premier singer in R&B and pop. With songs like "Look What You've Done for Me" and "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)," among many others, Green and producer Willie Mitchell refined the sounds of each genre. As Al Green Explores Your Mind was the peak of Green's insouciance, Al Green Is Love finds a starker reality -- the majority of the tracks here are ruminative but not always coherent. The first track, the propulsive "L-O-V-E (Love)," would be even more believable if Green didn't sound so ambivalent. Other up-tempo tracks, "I Gotta Be More" and "Rhymes," are edgy and dark, with great riffs from guitarist Mabon Hodges. The heart of Al Green Is Love is the ballads, though Green's not very happy, and those looking for heartwarming thoughts on romance won't find it here. "The Love Sermon" and, even better, "I Didn't Know" are spare, dirge-like songs that give Green great opportunities to turn in raw and emotional performances. "I Wish You Were Here" and "Could I Be the One" have producer Willie Mitchell offering suitably bleak arrangements to go with Green's airy vocals. The best track here, "There Is Love," strikes a balance between the customary production grace and the album's pervading sorrow. Al Green Is Love might be too depressing for some, but his fans will find Green's truthfulness appealing and some of the songs among his best.
By Jason Elias (AMG)

By Celo

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

pw

myfavvouritesound.blogspot
or
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quatermass said...

grazie per questa gemma!!!

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