Al Green
Band members Related acts
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- Al Green -- vocals, guitar
backing musicians (1977) - James Bass -- electric guitar - Johnny Brown -- keyboards - Ron Echols -- sax - Reuben Fairfax Jr. -- bass - Margaret Foxworthy -- backing vocals - Ardis Hardin -- drums, percussion - Harvey Jones -- backing vocals - Buddy Jarrett - sax - Fred Jordan -- keyboards, synthesizers - Linda Jones -- backing vocals - Darryl Neely -- trumper, flueglhorn - Robert Payne - syndrums - Leon Thomas -- keyboards - John Toney -- drums, percussion
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- The Creations
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Genre: soul Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Green Is Blues Company: Hi Catalog: SHL-32055 Year: 1969 Country/State: Forrest City, Arkansas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: this is the 1973 reissue' original Hi inner sleeve Available: 2 Catalog ID: 5409 Price: $20.00
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1969 proved a monumental year for Al Greene. Having been dropped by Bell he was introduced to Hi Records vice president/produced Willie Mitchell, who promptly signed Green to a recording contract with the company. Over the next year Green and Mitchell began working with The Memphis Horns and The Hi Rhythm Section, releasing a pair of little heard singles:
- 1968's 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' b/w 'What Am I Going To Do with Myself' (Hi Records catalog number 2159) - 1969's 'You Say It' b/w 'Gotta Find a New World' (Hi 2172)
While the two singles did little commercial (the Green-penned second one was actually a minor R&B success), Mitchell and Hi decided to finance an LP. While it wasn't Green's best release, 1969's "Green Is Blues" deserved notice as the true start of what would be an amazing partnership with producer//writer Mitchell, The Memphis Horns and The Hi Rhythm Section. I should quickly backtrack and tell you that in spite of that opening comments the album had more than it's share of treasures and was well worth checking out. One of the things that's always fascinated me about this one was the fact it didn't sound anything like the silky smooth 'love man' persona Green rode to mega sales in the mid-1970s. Producer Mitchell surrounded Green with a surprisingly taunt soul sound - think along the lines of the Stax sound and you'll be in the right aural neighborhood. For his part Green utilized a darker and rougher vocal style than what he'd later become famous for. Mind you, his voice remained instantly recognizable, but it was cool hearing him tough it out on tracks like 'Talk To Me' and 'What Am I Gonna Do with Myself'. Maybe it was just me, but every time I listen to the LP I hear echoes of Otis Redding. Musically the set was heavy on popular pop and soul covers. On songs like 'My Girl', The Box Tops' 'The Letter' and The Beatles 'Get Back' Green's covers didn't stray too far from the original arrangements, but were still modestly entertaining. Interestingly the two Green originals were less impressive. 'Get Back Baby' sounded like a James Brown rip off, while 'Tomorrow's Dream' just kind of stumbled around - a good song looking for a certain missing ingredient. Still, anyone who thought Green's string of hits sounded similar should check this baby out ... Commercially the set did well hit # 2 on the R&B charts and # 19 pop.
"Green Is Blue" track listing:
(side 1) 2.) Talk To Me (Seneca) - 3:03 3.) My Girl (Smokey Robinson) - 2:47 4.) The Letter (Wayne Thompson Cason) - 2:22 5.) I Stand
Accuse (W. Butler - Jerry Butler) - 3:12 (side 2) 1.) Gotta Find a New World (Smith - Oliver) - 2:22 2.) What Am I Gonna Do with Myself (Jones - Willie Mitchell) - 2:22 3.) Tomorrow's Dream (Al Green - Willie Mitchell) - 2:18 4.) Get Back Baby (Al Green) - 2:10 5.) Get Back (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 2:1 6.) Summertime (Heywood - Gershwin) - 2:56
Anyone know the story behind the withdrawn original cover? All I can figure is that Hi management was concern the Al Green photo was too ominous for white audiences ...
original withdrawn LP cover
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Genre: soul Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Al Green Gets Next To You Company: Hi Catalog: SHL-32062 Year: 1970 Country/State: Forrest City, Arkansas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: -- Available: 1 Catalog ID: 5419 Price: $30.00
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Continuing his
partnership with producer Willie Mitchell, 1970's
"Al Green Gets Next To You" wasn't
drastically different from his earlier releases, but for some reason Green
sounded way more comfortable in his surroundings.
Backed by the Hi house band (including drummer Al Jackson, bassist Al Hodges, keyboardist Charles Hodges, guitarist Mabon Hodges, and the horn section of Jack Hale, Ed Logan, Andrew Love, Wayne Jackson and James Mitchell), Green sounded remarkably confident and in-control throughout the collection.
The start of what would be a stunning string of top-40 hits, ballads like
'Tired of Being Alone' and 'God Is Standing By' were breathtaking, but the
up-tempo, funky numbers were even better. Highlights included the horn propelled 'Are You Lonely for
Me', 'Drivin' Wheel', 'I'm a Ram', and 'All Because'. The album also showcased Green's first-rate writing
skills with 'Right Now Right Now', 'Driving Train', 'I'm a Ram' being
amongst the best Green ever wrote or performed. To be honest, the only
real misstep was a needless cover of The Doors'
'Light My Fire'. Okay, okay you could also point out thesomewhat dated
ruffled sleeves and blue fur trim on his blue double breasted
jacket .. Song for song I'd argue this may have been Green's best
collection. Propelled by the singles and strong reviews from
critics, the album proved his first crossover success, hitting a well deserved
# 58 pop on the Billboard charts.
(side 1) I guess The Temptations version remains the classic take; if only by the skin of it's teeth. Green slowed the tune down; giving it a gritty, bluesy vibe that was hard to shake out of your hear. And the Mabon Hodges guitar solo was ... well amazing. Hi quickly tapped the song as a single:
- 1970's 'I Can't Get Next To You' b/w 'Ride
Sally Ride' (Hi catalog number 45-2182) Pop # 60, R&B # 11
No idea where it was recorded, but YouTube has a dazzling 1972 performance
of the sng: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycv0GchcMXE Wow,
'Are You Lonely For Me Baby' captured Green at his slinkiest ...
Try sitting still through this performance. Great horn arrangement.
An
indication of Green's future direct ("Full of Fire" was still six
years off), 'God Is Standing By'
was a Gospel song for people who didn't like a religious element in their
music. Breezy, sweet, and highly evocative, it was one of the album's
biggest surprises and highlights. I find myself unexpectedly
humming it from time to time. For a man with so many classic tunes to his name, 'Tired of Being Alone' stands among the best of the best. One of Green's first forays into writing, he had a hard time getting producer Willie Mitchell to show any interest in the song. It was originally intended for 1969's "Green Is Blue" collection, but was dropped and Green had to fight to get it included on "Al Green Gets Next To You". One of his biggest hits:
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1971's 'Tired of Being Alone' b/w 'Get Back Baby' (Hi catalog number 45
2194) # 11 pop; # 7 R&B YouTube has a wonderful
1973 performance of the song with Green providing a little background on the
tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=422vdlO8eJQ Where
do you start with a man with so many treasures to chose from ?
As much as I love Green's silky smooth ballads, he's even better on the
funkier material and it doesn't get much better than the bruising 'I'm a
Ram'. You had to wonder why Hi didn't release this one as a
single. If I were in a cover band this would be one of the songs I
insisted we include in our repertoire. (side 2) 1.) Driving Wheel (Roosevelt Sykes) - 2:58 rating: ***** stars Another up-tempo tune that was easily as good as 'I'm a Ram' ... The hook on this one was just killer. Another must-own Green single. Interestingly, this one's become kind of a bar band classic (check out YouTube), though virtually all of the covers are simply horrible.
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1971's 'Drivin' Wheel' b/w 'True Love' (Hi catalog number HI-2188-)
2.) Light My Fire (Jim Morrison - Ray Manzarek - Robbie Krieger - John Densmore) - 3:52 rating: ** stars The
albums first and only true disappointment ... Green didn't really mess with
the song's basic structure, or melody, but trying to gie it the patented
Hi--sound simply didn't add anything to the
original. Okay, the guitar solo was
tasty. For anyone who thought Green's catalog was limited to sappy ballads, then 'You Say It' was going to come as a major shock. Complete with call and response structure, this was AL GREEN = FUNK !!!
- 1970s 'You Say It' b/w 'Gotta Find a New
World' (Hi catalog number 45-2172) R&B # 28
4.) Right Now Right Now (Al Green) - 2:50 rating: **** stars Good gawd, the man could sing !!! Another classic Green performance that deserves to be in every soul lovers collection.
- 1970s 'Right Now Right Now' b/w 'All Because
(I'm the Foolish One)' (Hi catalog number 45-2177) R&B # 23
5.) All Because (Al Green) - 2:45 rating: **** stars Another funky performance, 'All Because' was a good example of what keyboardist Charles Hodges brought to Green's sound.
© Scott R. Blackerby October, 2024
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Genre: soul Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Let's Stay Together Company: Hi Catalog: SHL-32070 Year: 1972 Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Country/State: Forrest City, Arkansas Comments: -- Available: 2 Catalog ID: Price: $10.00
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For many folks (particularly those for whom the
early-1970s were their prime music listening timeframe), 1972's
"Let's Stay Together"
probably serves as the ultimate make-out album. Initiating Green's long-lived collaboration with
producer/writer Willie Mitchell, Green's seldom sounded as confident and comfortable on the mix of originals and well
chosen covers. Interestingly, better known for his ballads, many of the highlights
came in the form of up tempo Stax and Volt inspired soul material, including the horn punched "So You're Leaving", the slinky "It Ain't No Fun for Me" and "I've Never Found Me a Girl" (dare you to sit still during the latter). On the other hand, the classic title track and his cover of The Bee Gees "How Do You Mend a Broken Heart" (which rips the original to shreds) firmly established Green's "love man" persona. Released as a single "Let's Stay Together" b/w "Tomorrow's Dream" (Hi catalog numbers 45-2202), provided Green with a chart topping pop and R&B hit.
A mid-1970s classic, the collection quickly went top-10, earning Green the first in a string of gold albums.
1.) Let's Stay Together (Willie Mitchell - Al Green) - 3:15 (side 1) 1.) I've Never Found a Girl (Booker T. Jones - Eddie Floyd - A. Isbell) - 5:57
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Genre: soul Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: I'm Still In Love with You Company: Hi Catalog: SHL-32074 Year: 1972 Country/State: Forrest City, Arkansas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: original Hi inner sleeve Available: 2 Catalog ID: 5399 Price: $20.00
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Anyone looking for major artistic changes need not bother adding 1972's "I'm Still In Love with You" to their collection. That said, fans no that this album was every bit as good as the earlier release. Produced by Willie Mitchell and backed by the Hi rhythm section, the collection offered up another stunning set of 'love man' ballads and mid-tempo numbers. If there was a slight difference this time out, it came in the form of Al Green's willingness to explore new musical genres; in this case country music via covers of Kris Kristofferson's 'For the Good Times' and Roy Orbison's 'Oh, Pretty Woman'. For his part Al Green seemed to be firing on all eight cylinders. Virtually every one of the nine tracks had something going for it. Lots of folks will disagree, but the only song that didn't really connect with me was the needless Orbison cover. Just my opinion, but Green's cover simply didn't add anything to the original. Personal favorites included the classic top-5 title track, 'Love and Happiness', and the acoustic ballad 'Simply Beautiful'. Hi tapped the album for a pair of singles:
- 1972's 'Look What You Done for Me' b/w 'La La For You' (Hi catalog number 45-2211) - 1972's 'I'm Still In Love with You' b/w 'Old Time Lovin' (Hi catalog number 45-2216
While it was another massive commercial success hitting # 4 pop, today it's frequently forgotten in comparison to "Let's Stay Together", though it's every bit as good, if not even better. Curiously some four years later Hi came back to the album for another single:
- 1977's 'Love and Happiness' b/w 'Glory Glory' (Hi catalog number 45-2324). Released long after Green's commercial heyday, the 45 hit # 104 pop and # 82 R&B.
"I'm Still In Love with You" track listing:
(side 1) 2.) I'm Glad You're Mine (Al Green) - 2:54 3.) Love and Happiness (Al Green - Mabon Hodges) - 5:00 4.) What a Wonderful Thing Love Is (Al Green) - 3:38 5.) Simply Beautiful (Al Green) - 4:08
1.) Oh, Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison - B. Dees) - 3:22 2.) For the Good Times (Kris Kristofferson) - 6:27 3.) Look What You Done For Me (Al Green - Al Jackson - Willie Mitchell) - 3:04 4.) One of These Good Old Days (Al Green) - 3:15
Here's a YouTube clip of Green performing 'Love and Happiness' on PBS's Soundstage television program: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83Fu0zqztkY
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Genre: soul Rating: ***** (5 stars) Title: Call Me Company: Hi Catalog: SHL-32077 Year: 1973 Country/State: Forrest City, Arkansas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: original Hi inner sleeve Available: SOLD Catalog ID: SOLD Price: SOLD
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To my ears 1973's "Call Me" may well be Al Green's creative peak. It's certainly one of my all time favorite albums and one of the few albums in my collection I'd give a five star rating. This was the album where Green and producer Willie Mitchell hit high gear. There weren't any major departures from the pair's signature sound, rather on this one they perfected the approach. Green's silky smooth voice was in prime shape, injecting an almost intoxicating funkiness into material like the title track, 'Have You Been Making Out Okay' and 'Here I Am (Come and Take Me)'. Green's earlier stabs at adapting county material never did much for me, but this time around he figured it out - his covers of Willie Nelson's 'Funny How Time Slips Away' and the Hand Williams chestnut 'I'm So Lonely I Could Cry' were killer. There simply wasn't a misstep on the entire album. Classic Memphis soul ... classic make out music.
The album spun off another series of pop and R&B hits:
- 1973's 'You Ought To Be with Me' b/w 'What Is This Feeling' (Hi Records catalog number 45-2227) - 1973's 'Call Me' b/w 'What a Wonderful Thing Love Is' (Hi Records catalog number 45-2235) - 1973's 'Here I Am (Come and Take Me)' b/w 'I'm Glad You're Mine' (Hi Records catalog number 45-2247)
"Call Me" track listing:
(side 1) 2.) Have You Been Making Out Okay (Al Green) -3:12 3.) Stand Up (Al Green) - 3:26 4.) I'm So Lonely I Could Cry (Hank Williams) - 3:10
5.) Your Love Is Like the Morning Sun (Al Green) -
3:09 (side 2) 1.) Here I Am (Come and Take Me) (Al Green - Hodges) - 4:14 2.) Funny How Time Slips Away (Willie Nelson) - 5:38 3.) You Ought To Be with Me (Al Green - Al Jackson - Willie Mitchell) - 3:16 4.) Jesus Is Waiting (Al Green) - 5:38
Here are a couple of YouTube clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CslaDEc2PS8 'Jesus Is Waiting'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBrLavAsWBk 'Here I Am (Come and Take Me)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF7f4SSV6ms 'You Ought To Be with Me'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzb5BFqTGIo 'Funny How Time Slips Away' (1994 remake with Lyle Lovett)
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Genre: soul Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Livin' for You Company: Hi Catalog: ASHL-32082 Year: 1973 Country/State: Forrest City, Arkansas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: original Hi inner sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: 5513 Price: $20.00
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Exemplified by 1973's "Livin' For You", Al Green's string of classic mid-1970s releases constitutes a simply staggering accomplishment. With the possible exception of Stevie Wonder its hard to think of another artist who managed to churn out such a volume of quality material in such a compressed timeframe. Again produced by Willie Mitchell, exemplified by originals like the title track, 'Home Again' and the slinky 'So Good To be Here' this time out Green seemed in a more relaxed mood, turning in some of his most beguiling ballads. Some critics have slammed the LP for sinking into 'sound alike' realm, but I'd heartily disagree. Sure Green's parented sound was instantly recognizable, but the man continued to surprise with subtle changes and occasional slice of funk, including the mesmerizing 'Free At Last' and 'Sweet Sixteen'. The other highlight was an extended live take off 'Beware'. Simply killer. The album wasn't perfect. Green's doubled tracked cover of the chestnut 'Unchained Melody' was interesting - better than 99% of the covers, but still couldn't match his original material. Perhaps not his creative zenith, but I'll tell you this one has slowly grown into one my favorite Green albums.
"Al Green Liviin' For You" track listing:
(side 1) Majestic horns, some of Green's most forlorn vocals (double tracked in places), and a refrain that was infections, made the title track a classic Green effort. Shame it wasn't longer. He was performing with one arm in a cast, but YouTube has a stunning, extended, 1974 Soul Train performance at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=235pwiLnMs0 The song was tapped as the album's leadoff single:
- 1973's 'Living' For You' b/w 'It AIi't No Fun for Me' (Hi catalog number 45-2257) # 19 pop 2.) Home Again (Al Green) - 3:56 rating: **** stars Amazing, how even Green's "also-ran" tunes were so good. In this case, what started out as a wistful ballad slowly but steadily transitioned into a pounding soul number. Again, the tune would have been even better if an extended version has been included on the album. 3.) Free At Last (Al Green) - 3:26 rating: **** stars Not sure what else there is to say about this slinky ballad other than it constituted CLASSIC AL GREEN. Always loved the gritty edge Green brought to his performance on this one and Tennie Hodges' guitar was too-die-for good. Should have been released as a single. Not sure when, or where it was recorded, but YouTube has a clip of the Reverend Al Green giving the song a distinctive Gospel edge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x41Ar9aIK6o 4.) Let's Get Married (Al Green) - 5:28 rating: **** stars Geez, how many classic tunes can you pack on an album? Loved Tennie Hodges' little guitar figure on this one. Always wondered how autobiographical this one was ... Another single:
- 1973's 'Let's Get Married' b/w 'So Good To Be Here' (Hi catalog number 45-2262) Taken by someone in the audience, this August 2010 video clip isn't the greatest in terms of quality, but it's good enough and interesting to see Green still includes the tune in his touring repertoire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq6by5OiWlM 5.) So Good To Be Here (Al Green - M. Allen) - 2:40 rating: *** stars How
did the man come up with so many world class tunes with such an easy-going,
sweet groove ?
(side 2) 1.) Sweet Sixteen (Al Green - Willie Mitchell) - 3:26 rating: **** stars The opening strings were a bit of an irritation, but then the horns kicked in, followed by one of Green's slinkiest vocals. Geez, this one was so sexy, he could have been arrested for singing it live. Doubt that comment ? Check out this 1974 performance on Soul Train: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONATlJ0pvUg 2.) Unchained Melody (A. North - H. Zaret) - 5:33 rating: *** stars Slowing it down and giving it the patented Hi arrangement yielded a nice enough cover of this classic, but, as good as it was, I'm not sure why you would want to hear this one over the Righteous Brothers classic version. I will admit the double tracked vocals were mesmerizing. 3.) My God Is Real (K. Morris) - 2:43 rating: *** stars While it's never been a favorite, 'My Good Is Real' was an interesting precursor of the directions Green would take in his personal and professional life. 4.) Beware (Al Green) - 8:12 One of Green's sweetest performances. And as good as 'Beware' was, the stars on this were The Hodges - Charles on organ, Leroy on bass (check out his solo), and Tennie on guitar
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Genre: soul Rating: ***** (5 stars) Title: Al Green Explores Your Mind Company: Hi Catalog: SHL-32087 Year: 1974 Country/State: Forrest City, Arkansas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: little handwriting on white collar (five month anniversary gift) Available: 1 Catalog ID: 1174 Price: $20.00
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When an artist falls into reworking a successful formula the results frequently aren't very promising. 1974's "Al Green Explores Your Mind" is one of those rare exceptions. Continuing his collaboration with producer Willie Mitchell and the Hi rhythm section, musically this wasn't all that different from the last couple of Al Green albums, yet Green seemed thoroughly reinvigorated throughout the nine songs. At least to my ears part of the reason this album was so great could be traced back to the fact it found Green taking a couple of tentative steps away from his patented 'love man' imagine. Nothing too drastic and sure there were plenty of top-notch romantic ballads ('Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)', 'I'm Hooked On You' and 'Stay With Me Forever;), but elsewhere the collection proved Green could navigate a surprisingly wide array of other genres. His gospel roots were displayed in the stunning 'God Blessed Our Love', but far more impressive and appealing were tracks like the up tempo 'The City', his not-so-sly nod to the pleasures of life on the road ('One Nite Stand'), the doo wop-ish 'School Days' and the true soul classic 'Take Me To the River' (which was dedicated to his cousin 'Little' Junior Parker). By the way, if you grew up with The Talking Heads' version of 'Take Me To the River' you owe yourself to hear the original. As much as I love David Byrne and company's jittery cover, Green's original shreds it to dust. Killer track.
"Al Green Explores Your Mind" track listing:
(side 1) Silky smooth, exquisitely sexy, and easily the most commercial song on the album, 'Sha-La-La' had an ugly history given it was the song Green was working on when former girlfriend Mary Woodson broke into his home, pouring boiling grits on Green while he was in the shower. Green suffered severe burns, while Woodson subsequently committed suicide. Thanks to YouTube you can see a live performances of the song on Soul Train: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjBChRG-nok rating: ***** stars 2.) Take Me To The River (Al Green - Mabon Hodges) - 3:45 With it's heartfelt dedication to Green's late cousin 'Little' Junior Parker, there isn't a great deal to say about the blazing 'Take Me To the River' other than it's a classic tune that's been covered dozens of times, though nobody has come close to the original Thanks to YouTube, here's another live Soul Train performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tgm7v284JI rating: ***** stars 3.) God Blessed Our Love (Al Green - Willie Mitchell - E. Randle) - 3:57 Admittedly it took awhile for this ballad to kick into gear, but when Green got going ... wonder how many people have been married to this tune ? With green literally taking-it-to-the-church, the extended live Soul Train performance is even better than the studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rZAlMbiJS0 rating: **** stars 4.) The City (Al Green - Charles Hodges) - 3:25 With a breezy, slightly jazzy feel, 'The City' wasn't as instantly enjoyable as the earlier tracks, but it was a grower that improved with each spin. In fact, my only complaint is the song wasn't long enough. rating: *** stars 5.) One Nite Stand (Al Green) - 2:26 I'm guessing this is one of the tunes that drove Green to abandon secular music for a couple of decades. I imagine it was quite risque in 1974, though by today's standards it is pretty platonic. Ever wanted to hear some funky strings ? Well The Memphis Horns provided it on this slinky tune. The tune would have been even better without the shrill backing singers. rating: *** stars
1.) I'm Hooked On You (Al Green - Willie Mitchell) - 3:22 There simply has never been anyone who can sound as effortlessly smooth as Green and that talent has seldom come off as well as on the breezy ballad 'I'm Hooked On You'. rating: **** stars 2.) Stay With Me Forever (Al Green - A. Sanders)- 3:15 A rare up-tempo tune, 'Stay with Me Forever' was also surprising in that it sounded somewhat flat and uninspired. Green sounded like he was going through the motions on this one. rating: ** stars 3.) Hangin' On (Al Green - M. Allen) - 4:21 Had not been for Green's fractured falsetto, 'Hangin' On' would have been one of the album's standout performances. Even with that momentary lapse, the song was still pretty good with a nice melody, multi-tracked harmony vocals, and some interesting "plucked" strings. rating: *** stars 4.) School Days (Al Green) - 3:14 Ah, nostalgia ... the good old days ... Well, they probably weren't really that good, but thankfully for many of us memory has a way of fading out the bad and focusing on the good. One of Green's sweetest performances and another album highpoint. Wish there was a live version of this out there somewhere. Killer drums from Howard Grimes. rating: ***** stars
As mentioned, the album spun off one of Green's bigger hits:
- 1974's 'Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)' b/w 'School Days' (Hi catalog number 2274)
Propelled by the single the parent album hit # 15 pop continuing Green's mid-'70s chart domination. By the way, not that a 50-something man even remembers what making out is like, but as a young person "Al Green Explores Your Mind" was one of the all time make-out albums. Hope it retains some of that reputation in this day and age.
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Genre: soul Rating: ***** (5 stars) Title: Al Green's Greatest Hits Company: Hi Catalog: SHL-32089 Year: 1975 Country/State: Forrest City, Arkansas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: original Hi inner sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: 5407 Price: $10.00
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I'm not going to spend a lot of time talking about this one. Suffice it to say that "Al Green: Greatest Hits" stands as one of soul's classic 'best of' albums. Capturing ten of his biggest radio hits, if you were a passing fan, or simply curious to hear what all the excitement was about this was a great place to start. If you were a long standing fan then this album was somewhat redundant, but served as a convenient way to hear his radio friendly hits in one spot.
"Al Green: Greatest Hits" track listing:
(side 1) 2.) Call Me (Come Back Home) (Al Green - Willie Mitchell - Al Jackson) - 3:03 3.) I'm Still In Love with you (Al Green - Willie Mitchell - Al Jackson) - 3:12 4.) Here I Am (Come and Take Me) (Al Green - Mabon Hodges) - 3:09 5.) How can You Mend a Broken Heart (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb) - 6:21
1.) Let's Stay Together (Al Green - Willie Mitchell - Al Jackson) - 4:45 2.) I Can't Get Next To You (Norman Whitfield - Barrett Strong) - 3:42 3.) You Ought To Be with Me (Al Green - Willie Mitchell - Al Jackson) - 3:15 4.) Look What You Done For Me (Al Green - Willie Mitchell - Al Jackson) - 3:04 5.) Let's Get Married (Al Green) - 4:20
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Genre: soul Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Al Green Is Love Company: Hi Catalog: SHL-32092 Year: 1975 Country/State: Forrest City, Arkansas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: original Hi inner sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: 5401 Price: $10.00
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Showcasing another Al Green and Willie Mitchell collaboration, musically 1975's "Al Green Is Love" wasn't a major change in direction. That said, it was one of Green's best mid-1970s releases and the end of a lengthy string of massive popular hits. Judging by material like the leadoff single 'L-O-V-E (Love)', 'Could I Be the One'' and 'I Wish You Were Here' Green's instantly recognizable silky voice and patented blend of love man ballads was in fine shape. With able assistance from the Hodges brothers and the Hi rhythm band, across these ten selections it was clear Green had made a physical, though incomplete mental recovery from a 1974 incident where ex-girlfriend Mary Woodson had thrown a pot of boiling grits on Green while he was showering. Adding to the tragedy, Woodson subsequently committed suicide. That said, the collection did reflect some subtle differences from earlier releases. The album certainly displayed Green's growing confidence as a writer - eight of the ten tracks were written or co-written by Green. Almost certainly a reflection of the earlier assault, lyrically the album was considerably darker than recent releases, underscoring Green's growing personal conflict between secular and non-secular concerns. Sure, earlier albums had reflected similar concerns, but seldom as blatantly as 'The Love Sermon'. Interesting, when all was said and done, the standout performances were the atypical funk workouts 'Rhymes' and 'I Gotta Be More (Take Me Higher)' and the Latin flavored 'Love Ritual'. Perhaps because they were sooooo different, those three tracks simply made you forget all about the ballads.
Propelled in part by the singles, commercially the album continued Green's successes, hitting # 1 on the R&B charts and # 28 pop.
"Al Green Is Love" track listing:
(side 1) Admittedly 'L-O-V-E (Love)' may not have been ground breaking, but it offered up another classic slice of Green work with a refrain that was one of the best in his catalog.
- 1975's 'L-O-V-E (Love)' b/w 'I Wish You Were Here' (Hi catalog number 5N-2282) # 1 US pop; # 13 US R&B 2.) Rhymes (Al Green - Mabon Hodges) - 3:36 rating; ***** stars If you thought Al Green was limited to sound-the-same ballads, then check out the slinky funk track 'Rhymes.' George Clinton and the Funkadelic/Parliament nation would be proud of this workout. One of those tracks where it is simply hard to sit still ... The only complaint here is the song was too short. 3.) The Love Sermon (Willie Mitchell - Al Green - Earl Randle) - 6:34 rating: **** stars 'The Love Sermon' has always struck me as being one of those transitional tunes - Green starting to think about his life and the changes he felt were needed. The melody is instantly recognizable as a Green product and the lyrics add another level of depth to the man. 4.) There Is Love (Willie Mitchell - Yvonne Mitchell) - 3:04 rating: **** stars Can a song be silky smooth? Yes, check out 'There Is Love.' Worth it just for the reference to Christmas and the glistening chorus. 5.) Could I Be the One? (Willie Mitchell - Al Green - Ann Mitchell) - 4:06 'Could I Be the One' raised the question how many good things should be on a single album? Yeah, it was another classic ballad and not all that different from the earlier performances, but once again that voice; the thoughtful lyrics and finally Howard Grimes' delicious drums pushed the performance to another level.
1.) Love Ritual (Al Green) - 4:19 rating: ***** stars Wow, 'Love Ritual' may be the funkiest tune Green ever wrote and recorded. A mesmerizing mixture of funk and African-Cuban influences, if I had to draw up a top-10 Al Green listing this song would easily make it. The fact Hi didn't bother releasing it as a single is almost criminal. 2.) I Didn't Know (Al Green) - 7:46 rating: ***** stars Even for a guy with the sensitivity of a brick, 'I Didn't Know' registers with me. Green questioning the ups and downs (particularly the downs) of love. He's seldom sounded as unsure and forlorn. Love the sections where he goes to town and starts to draw out the notes on and on and on ... 3.) Oh Me, Oh My (Dreams in My Arms) (Willie Mitchell - Al Green - Mabon Hodges) - 2:48 rating: ***** stars What a special voice and when surrounded by a bouncy melody like 'Oh Me, Oh My (Dreams in My Arms)' it's easy to understand why the song was released as a single. All bow to The Memphis Horns on this one.
- 1975's 'Oh Me, Oh My (Dreams In My Arms" b/w '' (Hi catalog number 5N-2288) 4.) I Gotta Be More (Take Me Higher) (Al Green) - 2:45 rating: ***** stars As displayed on the funky 'I Gotta Be More' it's easy to forget what a big part of Green's success was due to the Hi studio musicians that backed him up. On this one you've got the rhythm section of Leroy Hodges and Howard Grimes with Mabon Hodges' masterful guitar work adding the icing on the cake. Whyt would producer Mitchell cut this one off so early? 5.) I Wish You Were Here (Willie Mitchell) - 3:18 rating: *** stars The final track and the first disappointment. Had it been part of a different album I suspect 'I Wish You Were Here' would have rated higher, but surrounded by all the other treasures, this heavily orchestrated ballad just kind of faded into the background.
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Genre: soul Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Al Green's Greatest Hits Volume II Company: Hi Catalog: SHL 32105 Year: 1977 Country/State: Forrest City, Arkansas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: -- Available: SOLD Catalog ID: SOLD 5439 Price: SOLD $8.00
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Not much to say about this one, other than if you have "Greatest Hits, Volume 1" and this set, you've got two of soul's classic 'best of'' compilations. There's still lots of Al Green to explore, but with these two sets you've got the majority of Green's commercial successes. (Wow, I'd forgotten how many of these tracks guitarist Mabon Hodges had co-written.)
"Al Green's Greatest Hits Volume II" track listing:
(side 1) 2.) Sha La La (Makes Me Happy) (Al Green) - 2:56 3.) Take Me To the River (Al Green - Mabon Hodges) - 3:43 4.) L-O-V-E (Love) (Al Green - Mabon Hodges - Willie Mitchell) - 3:03 5.) Rhymes (Al Green - Mabon Hodges) - 3:33
1.) For the God Tumes (Kris Krisofferson) - 6:27 2.) Keep Me Cryin' (Al Green - Willie Mitchell) - 3:06 3.) Livin' for You (Al Green - Willie Mitchell) - 3:09 4.) Full of Fire (Al Green - Willie Mitchell) - Mabon Hodges) - 5:12
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Genre: soul Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: The Belle Album Company: Hi Catalog: HLP 6004 Year: 1977 Country/State: Forrest City, Arkansas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: -- Available: 2 Catalog ID: 5439 Price: $15.00
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All Green sells out to God ... Yeah, that seems to capture the flack this album got when it was released in 1977. Don't let that tag line distract you from the fact this album stands as a classic slice of Al Green.
Ending his longstanding partnership with Willie Mitchell, and Hi Studios, 1977's "The Belle Album" found Green stepping into self-production. To be honest, Green seems to have picked up many of Mitchell's studio moves, and in spite of the absence of the usual Hi studio musicians, to my ears the results weren't all that different from Mitchell's earlier worth with Green.
I'll readily admit the album's religious undertones were apparently throughout. Remember, Green had gone through a string of personnel issues, including a girlfriend who poured boiling water on him and then committed suicide.
"The Belle Album" track listing:
(side 1)
- 1977's 'Belle' b/w 'Chariots of Fire' (Hi catalog number H-77505) 2.) Loving You (Al Green - Fred Jordon - Reuben Fairfax Jr.) -3:32 3.) Feels Like Summer (Al Green - Fred Jordon - Reuben Fairfax Jr.) - 3:42 rating: ** stars Maybe it was just my ears, but the keyboards sounded like they'd appropriated part of Dylan's 'If Not for You' ... Plus this one just didn't gather any steam with Green just kind of bouncing around the studio apparently waiting for inspiration to strike.. 4.) Georgia Boy (Al Green - Fred Jordon - Reuben Fairfax Jr.) - 7:01 rating: **** stars One of the album's few non-secular offerings, 'Georgia Boy' was a slinky country-soul tune that showcased Green's accomplished acoustic guitar. Geez, this album might be worth buying just to hear Reuben Fairfax Jr.'s stunning bass line ... Shame this one wasn't longer !!!
1.) I Feel Good (Al Green - Fred Jordon - Reuben Fairfax Jr.) - 5:20 rating: **** stars And you didn't think Jesus could be funky ... LOL Frankly, even if you were an agnostic, this one grooved pretty good. In fact, about the only critques I can come up with were the us of syndrums, and the song went on a tad too long. 2.) All 'n' All (Al Green - Fred Jordon - Reuben Fairfax Jr.) - 3:39 rating: **** stars Okay, this is a Jesus song for folks who are agnostic. Bouncy, criminally catchy, and one of the best things he's ever recorded. Try sitting still while this one's blaring through a good stereo system. Green's screech is simply to-die-for. Always loved the opening acoustic guitar segment. I could die happy learning how to play that little riff. 3.) Chariots of Fire (Al Green - Fred Jordon - Reuben Fairfax Jr.) - 3:50 The whacked out guitar and Caribbean-flavored horns were a bit different, but when the slap bass and Green's sassy voice kicked in, 'Chariots of Fire' found him operating in prime soul territory. Yes, the lyrics were again religiously oriented, but did anyone care? 4.) Dream (Al Green - Fred Jordon - Reuben Fairfax Jr.) - 7:33 'Dream' was a breezy, melodic ballad, but on this one Green sounded like he was singing with a bad case of strep throat. It certainly didn't need to clock in at over seven minutes.
Not produced by Willie Mitchell, this time Al does it all by himself and he learned enough to make it sound nice even if some of the original grit is missing. The title track is the best, the rest is interesting to so-so but hardly exceptional or classic.. the religious leaning are also tending to be more dominant, works well with "All in All" but I prefer him singing about sex. This album leaves me cold. Could have been happy forever knowing just the title track, which graces Reverend Al's greatest hits album. The Belle Album is not bad, it just doesn't do much for me... lacks the soul of much of his other work. I'll stick with the Al Green classics, or maybe even just the aforementioned greatest hits. Too much here just sounds like coasting. fter making a string of successful records with producer Willie Mitchell, Al Green produced The Belle Album himself. Mitchell's style, while successful, also made Green's records incredibly predictable. The Belle Album seems to relish the escape from Mitchell's blueprint. The most obvious example is "Belle," surely one of the Green's best and most under appreciated songs. His vocals have rarely reached this level expressivity. There are more synths and fatter basslines here than you'll find on his earlier efforts, and even a dash of disco (see "I Feel Good"). Green can also be heard playing acoustic rhythm guitar, and he has quite a distinct style. It provides a nice counterpoint to the heighten bass and synth touches found on the record. The Belle Album was his least successful album since his debut in 1967. Following the release of the album, he would go on to make a string of religious albums. Though the record was neglected at the time of its release, it has stood the test of time thanks to its more intimate, almost new wave-y aesthetic. Most
Al Green albums work their way over time into you; this one
uncharacteristically reaches out and shakes you up, an odd result when one
goes largely acoustic and goes for more or less the same quiet grooves that
one had pursued for most of one's career. But that's how it is. Helps also
that after splitting with Willie Mitchell last album Al decided that he
needed a philosophical shift to match the musical shift he's enacted. While
God was never absent from Al's previous albums, here He's moved front and
center thematically with Al leading the album telling Belle that it's her
that he wants, "but Him that I need." From there things stay
largely secular, though tinged with the idea - especially in "Chariots
of Fire" - that other realms are never far from Al's mind and even can
be read into some of the other lyrics. Musically it's more assured (and
varied) than Al's last few records - stronger and more consistent than
anything since Call
Me in fact - and in
"Georgia Boy" he's found the perfect hot, hazy groove that feels
all too short at seven minutes. A great one and a significant transitory
statement. The
Belle Album isFrom
my perspective, it's a bit strange being an Al Green fan. Can't argue with
the voice, of course - no point in doing that - but the problem is in his
three big lyrical themes. Sex, romance, and Christianity. Now, this is all
good and fine if you're into those things, and I understand that most people
have vested interest in at least two of the three, but I'm asexual,
uninterested in even the chaste varieties of romance, and agnostic bordering
on atheist. Yup, the triple play. So, as you may have gleaned by now, I
can't really relate to a lot of his lyrics. I find it a lot easier to deal
with sexual lyrics because at least 95% of all songs ever written are either
about that or its far less manly and hilarious cousin, love. But when
religion comes into play, that's usually when I just sort of leave the room.
I don't know why I'm not used to it yet, because I'm friends a good deal of
very religious people, and most of those people are devout Christians, and a
lot of classic soul singers are devout Christians as well. And I love
classic soul. But... I don't know, I don't like hearing Al Green sing about
it. Maybe it's because I'm so used to the famous odes to da booty that made
up his great early '70s albums that it's weird to hear him switching to this
gear, or maybe it's because he is really, really preachy
and in-your-face about his Christianity whereas someone like Stevie Wonder
is usually a little more subtle about it. Well, except for on "Have a
Talk with God," but I've always seen that as the worst song on one of
the greatest albums ever, so you know. There's that.
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Genre: soul Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Love Ritual Company: Hi Catalog: PS 710 Year: 1978 Country/State: Forrest City, Arkansas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: small cut out notch lower right corner; still in shrink wrap Available: 1 Catalog ID: 5513 Price: $20.00
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This one's not exactly rare, but has become surprisingly hard to locate in good condition. Part of the explanation probably having to do with the fact it didn't sell worth squat when released ... From a marketing perspective the album was kind of odd. Released after Hi Records ended it's distribution agreement with London Records, it may have been a last ditch effort to squeeze a little additional cash out of Green's rapidly fading fan base. Creatively the album was released after Green had ended his long standing partnership with producer/writer Mitchell Green and as he was rapidly losing interest in commercial releases and the accompanying popular success. Produced by Mitchell, 1978's "Love Ritual" served as a compilation pulling together ten miscellaneous tracks from Green's mid-to-late 1970s Hi catalog, That kind of slapdash birth wouldn't seem to bode well for the album, but this was one of the exceptions to the rule. With Mitchell adding new mixes to a number of the songs, the set was a pleasure through and through. Perhaps because so many of these tracks had been relegated to the 'odds and ends' bin, they showed Green in a more relaxed and experimental mode. I'm certainly not talking Brian Eno, or Philip Glass here, but the remixed title track was easily one of the funkiest things Green ever recorded and was worth the price alone. Equally good 'I Gotta Be More (Take Me Higher)', 'Let It Shine', 'Glory Glory' and 'Something' showcasing a sterling guitar solo from Mabon Hodges. You probably don't need the album if you owned the original studio sets, but if you didn't have them in your collection this one was well worth finding.
"Love Ritual" track listing:
(side 1) 2.) Smile a Little Bit More (Willie Mitchell - Al Green) - 2:51 3.) I Gotta Be More (Take Me Higher) (Al Green) - 2:45 4.) Let It Shine (Al Green - M. Hodges) - 3:12 5.) Glory Glory (Willie Mitchell - Al Green) - 2:45
1.) Keep Me Crying (Willie Mitchell - Al Green) - 3:06 2.) Something (Willie Mitchell - Al Green) - 4:24 3.) Oh Me,Oh My (Dreams In My Arms) (Willie Mitchell - Al Green - M Hodges) - 2:45 4.) I'm Hooked On You (Willie Mitchell - Al Green) - 3:19 5.) I Tried To Tell Myself (Willie Mitchell - Al Green) - 3:24
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Genre: soul Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Truth N' Time Company: Hi Catalog: HLP 6009 Year: 1978 Country/State: Forrest City, Arkansas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: gatefold sleeve; small punch out hole lower right corner Available: 1 Catalog ID: 5427 Price: $10.00
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Self-produced, 1978's "Truth N' Time" found Al Green returning to a largely secular oriented sound (his last truly secular studio release for some 20 years). In case anyone cared. of the eight tracks the only overtly religious offering was the charming 'King of All'. To be honest stylistically the album didn't offer up any major surprises. Green sounded in good form throughout, though occasionally a little removed from the results. That said, slightly reserved Al Green was still better than 95% of the competition even when they were firing on all cylinders. The title track, 'King of All' and his cover of the Bacharach-David standard 'Say a Little Prayer' were all well worth hearing. For goodness sake the man even managing to turn in a decent slice of disco-funk on 'Wait Here'. To my ears the only real misstep was a needless cover of Lulu's 'To Sir with Love' (which for some weird reason was tapped as a single). Dedicated to his father, Green's version was certainly heartfelt, but simply didn't add anything to the original. The only other complaint was the fact the album was extremely short - combined, all eight tracks clocked in at under 30 minutes. Hi tapped the album for a single in the form of:
- 1979's 'To Sir with Love' b/w 'Wait Here' (Hi catalog number 78522) # 71 R&B and # 44 R&B
The single was also released in a 12" format Hi catalog number HD 78523). Commercially the album proved a disappointment. It hit # 44 on the R&B charts, but failed to hit the pop charts. Shame since while not classic Green, it came darn close and served up another one of his albums that grows on you with repeated spins.
"Truth N' Time" track listing:
(side 1) 2.) Lo and Behold (Fred Jordan - Bernard Stanton) - 3:15 3.) Wait Here (Al Green - Fred Jordan - Reuben Fairfax Jr.) - 2:45 4.) To Sir with Love (Burt Bachrach - Hal David) - 4:09
1.) Truth 'N Time (Al Green) - 3:41 2.) King of All (Bernard Stanton - Carol Stanton) - 2:23 3.) Say a Little Prayer (Burt Bacharach - Hal David) - 2:13 4.) Happy Days (Al Green) - 5:13
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Genre: soul Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Tokyo Live Company: Motown Catalog: 5302ML2 Year: 1980 Country/State: Forrest City, Arkansas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: still in shrink wrap; double LP; small cut out notch along edge Available: 1 Catalog ID: 5410 Price: $20.00
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A double LP, 14 track collection, "Tokyo ... Live" was recorded during a pair of June 1978 performances at Nakano Sun Plaza Hall, Tokyo during his "Belle" tour. One of the problems with any Green live package stems from the fact he has so many classic songs to chose from that coming up with a set list that pleases everyone is simply going to be impossible. In this case Green and company ran through an okay mixture of radio hits, lesser known tracks (a cover of Kris Kristofferson's 'For the Good Times'), and several then-new numbers ('Belle' and 'I Feel Good'). Green was in good voice throughout, occasionally talking to the audience (which seemed to know most of his catalog). The arrangements seldom strayed far from the studio versions, though several numbers were stretched to the breaking point eight minute renditions of 'Let's Get Married' and 'I Feel Good' really weren't necessary). Elsewhere Green's backing band was enthusiastic, if occasionally a little distracting (particularly the female chorus and some of the fussy horn arrangements). Highlights included a rousing 'Let's Stay Together', 'Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)' and ''. Yeah, in case you didn't guess I tend to lean to his commercial catalog.
Tokyo Live" track listing:
(side 1) 2.) Tired of Being Alone (Al Green) - 5;18 3.) Let's Stay Together (Al Green - Willie Mitchell - Al Jackson) - 3:15 4.) How Can You Mend a Broken Heart? (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb) - 3:50 5.) All 'n All (Al Green - Shirley Green) - 2:32
1.) Belle (Fred Jordan - Reuben Fairfax Jr.) - 6:24 2.) Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy) (Al Green) - 5:06 3.) Let's Get Married (Al Green) - 8:09
(side 3) 2.) You Ought to be With Me (Al Green - Willie Mitchell - Al Jackson) - 5:41 3.) For the Good Times (Kris Kristofferson) - 5:29
1.) Dream (Al Green) - 2:59 2.) I Feel Good (Fred Jordan - Reuben Fairfax Jr.) - 8:20 3.) Love & Happiness (Al Green - Mabin Hodges) - 7:24
I've seen the set with two alternative covers: left to right: French pressing Cream Records (catalog 426005); US Right Stuff CD package, US Hi CD package
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