Al GreenTracklisting:
A1 Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy) 2:56
A2 Take Me To The River 3:43
A3 God Blessed Our Love 3:54
A4 The City 3:24
A5 One Nite Stand 2:24
B1 I'm Hooked On You 3:19
B2 Stay With Me Forever 3:12
B3 Hangin' On 4:18
B4 School Days 3:09
Personnel & Credits:
Michael J. Allen Piano
Michael Allen Piano, Rhythm Section
Charles Chalmers Vocals (bckgr), String Arrangements
Sandra Chalmers Vocals (bckgr)
Chris Clough Mastering Supervisor
Howard Craft Mastering
Bill Dahl Liner Notes
Colin Escott Liner Notes, Reissue Producer
Al Green Vocals, Producer, Audio Production
Howard Grimes Bongos, Conga, Drums, Rhythm Section
Jack Hale Trombone, Horn Section
Charles E. Jr. Hodges Organ, Piano
Charles Hodges Organ, Piano
Leroy Hodges Bass, Rhythm Section
Mabon "Teenie" Hodges Guitar, Rhythm Section
Wayne Jackson Trumpet, Horn Section
Richard Kriegler Art Direction, Design
Bob Levy Photography
Ed Logan Horn (Tenor), Sax (Tenor), Horn Section
Andrew Love Horn (Tenor), Sax (Tenor), Horn Section
The Memphis Strings Strings, String Section
James J. Mitchell Sax (Baritone), String Arrangements
James Mitchell Sax (Baritone)
Willie Mitchell Producer, Engineer, Remixing, Audio Production, Audio Engineer
Bob Norberg Remastering
Rhodes, Chalmers & Rhodes Vocals (bckgr)
Alan Robinson Liner Notes
Glenn Ross Art Direction, Design
Archie Turner Piano, Rhythm Section
Review:
By the time of 1974's Al Green Explores Your Mind, this version of the Memphis sound was the production style for only a handful of artists. Producer Willie Mitchell used a lighter touch for his most famous artist, and it's all but crafted into the Al Green sound. Despite his skills, Green never falls into mannerism here and gives heartfelt and cogent vocals rooted in intelligence and technique. "Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)," although lyrically slight, has the artist's charisma and Mitchell's pop chops. "Take Me to the River," with perfect backing from Hi Rhythm and a horn and string arrangement, finds Green at his most persuasive. The last track, "School Days," has Green longing for a school girlfriend and despite the potentially sappy sentiment, it works like a charm. The greatness of Al Green Explores Your Mind comes from a collective effort, including James Mitchell's dreamlike string arrangements and the always skilled backing vocals of Rhodes, Chalmers & Rhodes. But the biggest draw here is Green's phrasing and intimate vocals, making the record an extremely strong effort.
By Jason Elias (AMG)
A2 Take Me To The River 3:43
A3 God Blessed Our Love 3:54
A4 The City 3:24
A5 One Nite Stand 2:24
B1 I'm Hooked On You 3:19
B2 Stay With Me Forever 3:12
B3 Hangin' On 4:18
B4 School Days 3:09
Personnel & Credits:
Michael J. Allen Piano
Michael Allen Piano, Rhythm Section
Charles Chalmers Vocals (bckgr), String Arrangements
Sandra Chalmers Vocals (bckgr)
Chris Clough Mastering Supervisor
Howard Craft Mastering
Bill Dahl Liner Notes
Colin Escott Liner Notes, Reissue Producer
Al Green Vocals, Producer, Audio Production
Howard Grimes Bongos, Conga, Drums, Rhythm Section
Jack Hale Trombone, Horn Section
Charles E. Jr. Hodges Organ, Piano
Charles Hodges Organ, Piano
Leroy Hodges Bass, Rhythm Section
Mabon "Teenie" Hodges Guitar, Rhythm Section
Wayne Jackson Trumpet, Horn Section
Richard Kriegler Art Direction, Design
Bob Levy Photography
Ed Logan Horn (Tenor), Sax (Tenor), Horn Section
Andrew Love Horn (Tenor), Sax (Tenor), Horn Section
The Memphis Strings Strings, String Section
James J. Mitchell Sax (Baritone), String Arrangements
James Mitchell Sax (Baritone)
Willie Mitchell Producer, Engineer, Remixing, Audio Production, Audio Engineer
Bob Norberg Remastering
Rhodes, Chalmers & Rhodes Vocals (bckgr)
Alan Robinson Liner Notes
Glenn Ross Art Direction, Design
Archie Turner Piano, Rhythm Section
Review:
By the time of 1974's Al Green Explores Your Mind, this version of the Memphis sound was the production style for only a handful of artists. Producer Willie Mitchell used a lighter touch for his most famous artist, and it's all but crafted into the Al Green sound. Despite his skills, Green never falls into mannerism here and gives heartfelt and cogent vocals rooted in intelligence and technique. "Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)," although lyrically slight, has the artist's charisma and Mitchell's pop chops. "Take Me to the River," with perfect backing from Hi Rhythm and a horn and string arrangement, finds Green at his most persuasive. The last track, "School Days," has Green longing for a school girlfriend and despite the potentially sappy sentiment, it works like a charm. The greatness of Al Green Explores Your Mind comes from a collective effort, including James Mitchell's dreamlike string arrangements and the always skilled backing vocals of Rhodes, Chalmers & Rhodes. But the biggest draw here is Green's phrasing and intimate vocals, making the record an extremely strong effort.
By Jason Elias (AMG)
By Celo
2 comments:
pw
myfavouritesound
Celo, thanks for all the lovely Al Green! peace, E-mile
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