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AL GREEN
Take Me To The River (The Right Stuff)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale
There have been four previous greatest hits collections by Al Green, but Take Me To The River, released in conjunction with his autobiography of the same title (reviewed elsewhere in this issue of Cosmik) takes its place as the essential collection.
The two discs in the set contain thirty tracks from Green's run of classic albums on the Memphis based Hi Records. As Al Bell was taking the helm at Stax Records and moving the definitive Memphis soul label increasingly out of town and into new, generally more pop oriented musical territory, producer Willie Mitchell brought Green to Memphis and about keeping the best elements of traditional Memphis soul alive. While the Hi Records sound was distinctive in its own way, it contained important elements of the old Stax sound. In part, that came from the environment, as Mitchell took advantage of the peculiar acoustics that came from setting up his studio on the sloping floor of a former movie house, just as they had at Stax. In part it came from the presence of Al Jackson, Jr., the house drummer at Stax as part of the original MGs. In no small part at all, it came from the pipes of one of the great soul singers of all time, perhaps, as has been suggested, the last great soul singer, Al Green.
Green's subsequent move in the 80s into straight gospel music after his religious awakening and ordination as a Christian minister is not documented here. This is thirty vital tracks of Al Green, soul singer, and every R&B fan should have it on their shelves.
Track Lists:
Disc One: I'm Glad You're Mine * What Am I Gonna Do With Myself * Tired Of Being Alone * I'm Still In Love With You * Let's Stay Together * I Tried To Tell Myself * Love And Happiness * You Ought To Be With Me * Look What You Done For Me * Here I Am (Come And Take Me) * Call Me (Come Back Home) * Livin' For You * L-O-V-E (Love) * How Can You Mend A Broken Heart? * Take Me To The River
Disc Two: Right Now, Right Now * So Good To Be Here * For The Good Times * I Can't Get Next To You * Let's Get Married * Sha La La (Make Me Happy) * God Blessed Our Love * Let It Shine * Lean On Me * Hangin' On * Strong As Death (Sweet As Love) * Nothing Takes The Place Of You * The Spirit Might Come-On And On * There's No Way * Belle
© 2000 - Shaun Dale