Al Green

It starts with the voice. You either get it or you don’t—and though it took too long, by now almost everyone does. Al Green’s midrange generates a mellow burn like good single-malt Scotch and is cut by a rotgut roughness when he growls and a signature falsetto finer than wine. It’s hard to believe the Michigan-raised, Memphis-based Arkansan, born Albert Greene and now 61, was once dissed for being less manly than Otis Redding—women have always adored him. He seemed both vulnerable and passionate, and he minded his subtle touches like a love man should. Green started in gospel, and after a return to Jesus and a fall from grace on the charts, he reinvented himself as a gospel singer in 1980 and eventually amassed a sacred catalogue to rival (although not equal) his secular one. That catalogue, especially his miraculously consistent Hi albums with producer Willie Mitchell, has replaced macho pleas and pledges as the epitome of soul.


Essential
I'm Still In Love With You
Call Me
Call Me

Great
Gets Next To You
The Belle Album
The Absolute Best

Check It Out
Let's Stay Together
Al Green Explores Your Mind
Your Heart's In Good Hands
I Can't Stop

Be Careful
Al Green Is Love
Full of Fire
Tokyo … Live!
Everything's OK

For Fans Only
Green Is Blues
Have a Good Time
Truth N' Time
Back Up Train