AL GREEN

MISTER AL GREEN

AL GREEN

MISTER AL GREEN

Al Green - Biography

Al Green: Biography

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Born Apr 13, 1946 in Forrest City, AR

by BENTLEYFUNK

Al Green was the first great soul singer of the '70s and arguably the last great Southern soul singer. With his seductive singles for Hi Records in the early '70s, Green bridged the gap between deep soul and smooth Philadelphia soul. He incorporated elements of gospel, interjecting his performances with wild moans and wails, but his records were stylish, boasting immaculate productions that rolled along with a tight beat, sexy backing vocals, and lush strings. The distinctive Hi Records sound that the vocalist and producer Willie Mitchell developed made Al Green the most popular and influential soul singer of the early '70s, influencing not only his contemporaries, but also veterans like Marvin Gaye. Green was at the peak of his popularity when he suddenly decided to join the ministry in the mid-'70s. At first, he continued to record secular material, but by the '80s, he was concentrating solely on gospel. During the late '80s and '90s, he occasionally returned to R&B, but he remained primarily a religious performer for the rest of his career. Nevertheless, Green's classic early- '70s recordings retained their power and influence throughout the decades, setting the standard for smooth soul.

Green was born in Forest City, Arkansas, where he formed a gospel quartet, the Green Brothers, at the age of nine. The group toured throughout the South in the mid- '50s, before the family relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Green Brothers continued to perform in Grand Rapids, but Al's father kicked the boy out of the group after he caught his son listening to Jackie Wilson. At the age of 16, Al formed an R&B group, Al Green & the Creations, with several of his high-school friends. Two Creation members, Curtis Rogers and Palmer James, founded their own independent record company, Hot Line Music Journal, and had the group record for the label. By that time, the Creations had been re-named the Soul Mates. The group's first single, "Back Up Train," became a surprise hit, climbing to number five on the R&B charts early in 1968. The Soul Mates attempted to record another hit, but all of their subsequent singles failed to find an audience.

In 1969, Al Green met bandleader and Hi Records vice president Willie Mitchell while on tour in Midland, Texas. Impressed with Green's voice, he signed the singer to Hi Records, and began collaborating with Al on his debut album. Released in early 1970, Green's debut album Green Is Blues showcased the signature sound he and Mitchell devised -- a sinewy, sexy groove highlighted by horn punctuations and string beds that let Green showcase his remarkable falsetto. While the album didn't spawn any hit singles, it was well-received and set the stage for the breakthrough success of his second album. Al Green Gets Next to You (1970) launched his first hit single, "Tired of Being Alone," which began a streak of four straight gold singles. Let's Stay Together (1972) was his first genuine hit album, climbing to number eight on the pop charts; its title track became his first number one single. I'm Still in Love With You, which followed only a few months later, was an even greater success, peaking at number four and launching the hits "Look What You Done for Me" and "I'm Still in Love With You."

By the release of 1973's Call Me, Green was known as both a hitmaker and an artist who released consistently engaging, frequently excellent, critically-acclaimed albums. His hits continued uninterrupted through the next two years, with "Call Me," "Here I Am," and "Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)" all becoming Top Ten gold singles. At the height of his popularity, Green's former girlfriend, Mrs. Mary Woodson, broke into his Memphis home in October 1974 and poured boiling grits on the singer as he was bathing, inflicting second-degree burns on his back, stomach and arm; after assaulting Green, she killed herself with his gun. Green interpreted the violent incident as a sign from God that he should enter the ministry. By 1976, he had bought a church in Memphis and had become an ordained pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle. Though he had begun to seriously pursue religion, he had not given up singing R&B and he released three other Mitchell-produced albums -- Al Green Is Love (1975), Full of Fire (1976), Have a Good Time (1976) -- after the incident. However, his albums began to sound formulaic, and his sales started to slip by the end of 1976, with disco cutting heavily into his audience.

In order to break free from his slump, Green stopped working with Willie Mitchell in 1977 and built his own studio, American Music, where he intended to produce his own records. The first album he made at American Music was The Belle Album, an intimate record that was critically acclaimed but failed to win a crossover audience. Truth and Time (1978) failed to even generate a major R&B hit. During a concert in Cincinnati in 1979, Green fell off the stage and nearly injured himself seriously. Interpreting the accident as a sign from God, Green retired from performing secular music and devoted himself to preaching. Throughout the '80s, he released a series of gospel albums on Myrrh Records. In 1982, Green appeared in the gospel musical Your Arms Too Short to Box With God with Patti Labelle. In 1985, he reunited with Willie Mitchell for He Is the Light, his first album for A&M Records.

Green tentatively returned to R&B in 1988 when he sang "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" with Annie Lennox for the Bill Murray comedy Scrooged. Four years later, he recorded his first full-fledged soul album since 1978 with the U.K.-only Don't Look Back. In 1995, he released Your Heart's in Good Hands, an urban contemporary record that represented his first secular album to be released in America since Truth and Time. Though the album received positive reviews, it failed to become a hit.

Al Green was inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.

Al Green - Biography

Al Green: Biography

---

Born Apr 13, 1946 in Forrest City, AR

by BENTLEYFUNK

Al Green was the first great soul singer of the '70s and arguably the last great Southern soul singer. With his seductive singles for Hi Records in the early '70s, Green bridged the gap between deep soul and smooth Philadelphia soul. He incorporated elements of gospel, interjecting his performances with wild moans and wails, but his records were stylish, boasting immaculate productions that rolled along with a tight beat, sexy backing vocals, and lush strings. The distinctive Hi Records sound that the vocalist and producer Willie Mitchell developed made Al Green the most popular and influential soul singer of the early '70s, influencing not only his contemporaries, but also veterans like Marvin Gaye. Green was at the peak of his popularity when he suddenly decided to join the ministry in the mid-'70s. At first, he continued to record secular material, but by the '80s, he was concentrating solely on gospel. During the late '80s and '90s, he occasionally returned to R&B, but he remained primarily a religious performer for the rest of his career. Nevertheless, Green's classic early- '70s recordings retained their power and influence throughout the decades, setting the standard for smooth soul.

Green was born in Forest City, Arkansas, where he formed a gospel quartet, the Green Brothers, at the age of nine. The group toured throughout the South in the mid- '50s, before the family relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Green Brothers continued to perform in Grand Rapids, but Al's father kicked the boy out of the group after he caught his son listening to Jackie Wilson. At the age of 16, Al formed an R&B group, Al Green & the Creations, with several of his high-school friends. Two Creation members, Curtis Rogers and Palmer James, founded their own independent record company, Hot Line Music Journal, and had the group record for the label. By that time, the Creations had been re-named the Soul Mates. The group's first single, "Back Up Train," became a surprise hit, climbing to number five on the R&B charts early in 1968. The Soul Mates attempted to record another hit, but all of their subsequent singles failed to find an audience.

In 1969, Al Green met bandleader and Hi Records vice president Willie Mitchell while on tour in Midland, Texas. Impressed with Green's voice, he signed the singer to Hi Records, and began collaborating with Al on his debut album. Released in early 1970, Green's debut album Green Is Blues showcased the signature sound he and Mitchell devised -- a sinewy, sexy groove highlighted by horn punctuations and string beds that let Green showcase his remarkable falsetto. While the album didn't spawn any hit singles, it was well-received and set the stage for the breakthrough success of his second album. Al Green Gets Next to You (1970) launched his first hit single, "Tired of Being Alone," which began a streak of four straight gold singles. Let's Stay Together (1972) was his first genuine hit album, climbing to number eight on the pop charts; its title track became his first number one single. I'm Still in Love With You, which followed only a few months later, was an even greater success, peaking at number four and launching the hits "Look What You Done for Me" and "I'm Still in Love With You."

By the release of 1973's Call Me, Green was known as both a hitmaker and an artist who released consistently engaging, frequently excellent, critically-acclaimed albums. His hits continued uninterrupted through the next two years, with "Call Me," "Here I Am," and "Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)" all becoming Top Ten gold singles. At the height of his popularity, Green's former girlfriend, Mrs. Mary Woodson, broke into his Memphis home in October 1974 and poured boiling grits on the singer as he was bathing, inflicting second-degree burns on his back, stomach and arm; after assaulting Green, she killed herself with his gun. Green interpreted the violent incident as a sign from God that he should enter the ministry. By 1976, he had bought a church in Memphis and had become an ordained pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle. Though he had begun to seriously pursue religion, he had not given up singing R&B and he released three other Mitchell-produced albums -- Al Green Is Love (1975), Full of Fire (1976), Have a Good Time (1976) -- after the incident. However, his albums began to sound formulaic, and his sales started to slip by the end of 1976, with disco cutting heavily into his audience.

In order to break free from his slump, Green stopped working with Willie Mitchell in 1977 and built his own studio, American Music, where he intended to produce his own records. The first album he made at American Music was The Belle Album, an intimate record that was critically acclaimed but failed to win a crossover audience. Truth and Time (1978) failed to even generate a major R&B hit. During a concert in Cincinnati in 1979, Green fell off the stage and nearly injured himself seriously. Interpreting the accident as a sign from God, Green retired from performing secular music and devoted himself to preaching. Throughout the '80s, he released a series of gospel albums on Myrrh Records. In 1982, Green appeared in the gospel musical Your Arms Too Short to Box With God with Patti Labelle. In 1985, he reunited with Willie Mitchell for He Is the Light, his first album for A&M Records.

Green tentatively returned to R&B in 1988 when he sang "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" with Annie Lennox for the Bill Murray comedy Scrooged. Four years later, he recorded his first full-fledged soul album since 1978 with the U.K.-only Don't Look Back. In 1995, he released Your Heart's in Good Hands, an urban contemporary record that represented his first secular album to be released in America since Truth and Time. Though the album received positive reviews, it failed to become a hit.

Al Green was inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.

Al Green - Al Green Is Love *** 1975

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)

Al Green - Al Green Is Love *** 1975

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)

Al Green - Call Me *** 1973

Tracklisting:

A1		Call Me (Come Back Home)
A2		Have You Been Making Out O.K.
A3		Stand Up
A4		I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
A5		Your Love Is Like The Morning Sun
B1		Here I Am (Come And Take Me)
B2		Funny How Time Slips Away
B3		You Ought To Be With Me
B4		Jesus Is Waiting

Al Green - Call Me *** 1973

Tracklisting:

A1		Call Me (Come Back Home)
A2		Have You Been Making Out O.K.
A3		Stand Up
A4		I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
A5		Your Love Is Like The Morning Sun
B1		Here I Am (Come And Take Me)
B2		Funny How Time Slips Away
B3		You Ought To Be With Me
B4		Jesus Is Waiting

Al Green - Explores Your Mind *** 1974

Tracklisting:

A1		Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy) (2:56)
A2		Take Me To The River (3:43)
		Vocals - M. Hodges*
A3		God Blessed Our Love (3:54)
		Vocals - E. Randle* , W. Mitchell*
A4		The City (3:24)
		Vocals - C. Hodges*
A5		One Nite Stand (2:24)
B1		I'm Hooked On You (3:19)
		Vocals - W. Mitchell*
B2		Stay With Me Forever (3:12)
		Vocals - A. Sanders*
B3		Hangin' On (4:18)
		Vocals - M. Allen*
B4		School Days (3:09)

Al Green - Explores Your Mind *** 1974

Tracklisting:

A1		Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy) (2:56)
A2		Take Me To The River (3:43)
		Vocals - M. Hodges*
A3		God Blessed Our Love (3:54)
		Vocals - E. Randle* , W. Mitchell*
A4		The City (3:24)
		Vocals - C. Hodges*
A5		One Nite Stand (2:24)
B1		I'm Hooked On You (3:19)
		Vocals - W. Mitchell*
B2		Stay With Me Forever (3:12)
		Vocals - A. Sanders*
B3		Hangin' On (4:18)
		Vocals - M. Allen*
B4		School Days (3:09)

Al Green - Gets Next To You **** 1971

Tracklisting:

A1		I Can't Get Next To You
A2		Are You Lonely For Me
A3		God Is Standing By
A4		Tired Of Being Alone
A5		I'm A Ram
A6		My Girl
A7		Get Back
B1		Driving Wheel
B2		Light My Fire
B3		You Say It
B4		Right Now Right Now
B5		All Because
B6		The Letter
B7		One Woman

Al Green - Gets Next To You **** 1971

Tracklisting:

A1		I Can't Get Next To You
A2		Are You Lonely For Me
A3		God Is Standing By
A4		Tired Of Being Alone
A5		I'm A Ram
A6		My Girl
A7		Get Back
B1		Driving Wheel
B2		Light My Fire
B3		You Say It
B4		Right Now Right Now
B5		All Because
B6		The Letter
B7		One Woman

Al Green - Let's Stay Together *** 1972

Tracklisting:

A1		Let's Stay Together (3:15)
A2		La-La For You (3:29)
A3		So You're Leaving (2:53)
A4		What Is This Feeling (3:40)
A5		Old Time Lovin (3:17)
B1		I've Never Found A Girl (3:37)
B2		How Can You Mend A Broken Heart (6:21)
B3		Judy (3:44)
B4		It Ain't No Fun To Me (3:27)

Al Green - Let's Stay Together *** 1972

Tracklisting:

A1		Let's Stay Together (3:15)
A2		La-La For You (3:29)
A3		So You're Leaving (2:53)
A4		What Is This Feeling (3:40)
A5		Old Time Lovin (3:17)
B1		I've Never Found A Girl (3:37)
B2		How Can You Mend A Broken Heart (6:21)
B3		Judy (3:44)
B4		It Ain't No Fun To Me (3:27)

Al Green - Livin' For You *** 1973

Tracklisting:

A1		Livin' For You
A2		Home Again
A3		Free At Last
A4		Let's Get Married
A5		So Good To Be Here
B1		My Sweet Sixteen
B2		Unchained Melody
B3		My God Is Real (Yes, God Is Real)
B4		Beware

Al Green - Livin' For You *** 1973

Tracklisting:

A1		Livin' For You
A2		Home Again
A3		Free At Last
A4		Let's Get Married
A5		So Good To Be Here
B1		My Sweet Sixteen
B2		Unchained Melody
B3		My God Is Real (Yes, God Is Real)
B4		Beware

Al Green - I'm Still In Love With You **** 1973

Tracklisting:

A1		I'm Still In Love With You (3:12)
		Written By - A. Green; A. Jackson; W. Mitchell
A2		I'm Glad You're Mine (2:54)
		Written-By - A. Green*
A3		Love And Happiness (5:00)
		Written By - A. Green; M. Hodges
A4		What A Wonderful Thing Love Is (3:37)
		Written-By - A. Green*
A5		Simply Beautiful (4:08)
		Written-By - A. Green*
B1		Oh, Pretty Woman (3:22)
		Written By - R. Orbison; B. Dees
B2		For The Good Times (6:27)
		Written-By - K. Kristofferson*
B3		Look What You Done For Me (3:04)
		Written By - A. Green; A. Jackson; W. Mitchell
B4		One Of These Good Old Days (3:15)
		Written-By - A. Green*

Al Green - I'm Still In Love With You **** 1973

Tracklisting:

A1		I'm Still In Love With You (3:12)
		Written By - A. Green; A. Jackson; W. Mitchell
A2		I'm Glad You're Mine (2:54)
		Written-By - A. Green*
A3		Love And Happiness (5:00)
		Written By - A. Green; M. Hodges
A4		What A Wonderful Thing Love Is (3:37)
		Written-By - A. Green*
A5		Simply Beautiful (4:08)
		Written-By - A. Green*
B1		Oh, Pretty Woman (3:22)
		Written By - R. Orbison; B. Dees
B2		For The Good Times (6:27)
		Written-By - K. Kristofferson*
B3		Look What You Done For Me (3:04)
		Written By - A. Green; A. Jackson; W. Mitchell
B4		One Of These Good Old Days (3:15)
		Written-By - A. Green*

Al Green - Truth N' Time **** 1978

Al Green's last secular album for Hi Records -- but still a nice little cooker that's overflowing with Memphis soul! As with Green's previous set for Hi, the album's produced by Al himself, and not Willie Mitchell -- in a style that's a bit rougher, chunkier, and almost funkier than the sound that Mitchell had been giving Al as the 70s moved on. Tunes have a nice snapping feel overall, and a lot heavier soul vibe than you might expect for the time -- making the record a nice lost sleeper in Green's classic Hi Records catalog! Titles include "King Of All", "I Say A Little Prayer", "Happy Days", "Blow Me Down", "Lo & Behold", "Wait Here", "Truth N Time", and "To Sir With Love"

Al Green - Truth N' Time **** 1978

Al Green's last secular album for Hi Records -- but still a nice little cooker that's overflowing with Memphis soul! As with Green's previous set for Hi, the album's produced by Al himself, and not Willie Mitchell -- in a style that's a bit rougher, chunkier, and almost funkier than the sound that Mitchell had been giving Al as the 70s moved on. Tunes have a nice snapping feel overall, and a lot heavier soul vibe than you might expect for the time -- making the record a nice lost sleeper in Green's classic Hi Records catalog! Titles include "King Of All", "I Say A Little Prayer", "Happy Days", "Blow Me Down", "Lo & Behold", "Wait Here", "Truth N Time", and "To Sir With Love"

Al Green - The Lord Will Make A Way *** 1980

Al Green - The Lord Will Make A Way *** 1980

Al Green - The Belle Album **** 1977

Tracklisting:

A1		Belle (4:45)
A2		Loving You (3:33)
A3		Feels Like Summer (3:43)
A4		Georgia Boy (6:59)
B1		I Feel Good (5:17)
B2		All N All (3:37)
B3		Chariots Of Fire (3:53)
B4		Dream (7:28)

Al Green - The Belle Album **** 1977

Tracklisting:

A1		Belle (4:45)
A2		Loving You (3:33)
A3		Feels Like Summer (3:43)
A4		Georgia Boy (6:59)
B1		I Feel Good (5:17)
B2		All N All (3:37)
B3		Chariots Of Fire (3:53)
B4		Dream (7:28)

Al Green - Precious Lord **** 1982

1.	It Don't Take Much		Sign In to rate!
2.	I Close My Eyes and Smile		Sign In to rate!
3.	Ocean Blue (I'll Rise Again)		Sign In to rate!
4.	Straighten Out Your Life		Sign In to rate!
5.	Jesus Is Coming (Back Again)		Sign In to rate!
6.	Leaning on the Everlasting Arms		Sign In to rate!
7.	Look at the Things That God Made		Sign In to rate!
8.	I Just Can't Make It by Myself		Sign In to rate!
9.	I Know It Was the Blood

Al Green - Precious Lord **** 1982

1.	It Don't Take Much		Sign In to rate!
2.	I Close My Eyes and Smile		Sign In to rate!
3.	Ocean Blue (I'll Rise Again)		Sign In to rate!
4.	Straighten Out Your Life		Sign In to rate!
5.	Jesus Is Coming (Back Again)		Sign In to rate!
6.	Leaning on the Everlasting Arms		Sign In to rate!
7.	Look at the Things That God Made		Sign In to rate!
8.	I Just Can't Make It by Myself		Sign In to rate!
9.	I Know It Was the Blood

Al Green - I'll Rise Again *** 1983

1)	It Don't Take Much
2)	Jesus Is Coming (back Again)
3)	Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
4)	I Close My Eyes And Smile
5)	Ocean Blue (i'll Rise Again)
6)	Look At The Things That God Made
7)	I Just Can't Make It By Myself
8)	I Know It Was The Blood
9)	Straighten Out Your Life

Al Green - I'll Rise Again *** 1983

1)	It Don't Take Much
2)	Jesus Is Coming (back Again)
3)	Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
4)	I Close My Eyes And Smile
5)	Ocean Blue (i'll Rise Again)
6)	Look At The Things That God Made
7)	I Just Can't Make It By Myself
8)	I Know It Was The Blood
9)	Straighten Out Your Life

Al Green - Have A Good Time **** 1976

Tracklisting:

A1		Keep Me Cryin'
		Written-By - A. Green* , W. Mitchell*
A2		Smile A Little Bit More
		Written-By - A. Green* , W. Mitchell*
A3		I Tried To Tell Myself
		Written-By - A. Green* , W. Mitchell*
A4		Something
		Written-By - A. Green* , W. Mitchell*
A5		The Truth Marches On
		Written-By - A. Green* , W. Mitchell*
B1		Have A Good Time
		Written-By - A. Green*
B2		Nothing Takes The Place Of You
		Written-By - P. Robinson* , T. McCall*
B3		Happy
		Written-By - A. Green* , W. Mitchell*
B4		Hold On Forever
		Written-By - A. Green*

Al Green - Have A Good Time **** 1976

Tracklisting:

A1		Keep Me Cryin'
		Written-By - A. Green* , W. Mitchell*
A2		Smile A Little Bit More
		Written-By - A. Green* , W. Mitchell*
A3		I Tried To Tell Myself
		Written-By - A. Green* , W. Mitchell*
A4		Something
		Written-By - A. Green* , W. Mitchell*
A5		The Truth Marches On
		Written-By - A. Green* , W. Mitchell*
B1		Have A Good Time
		Written-By - A. Green*
B2		Nothing Takes The Place Of You
		Written-By - P. Robinson* , T. McCall*
B3		Happy
		Written-By - A. Green* , W. Mitchell*
B4		Hold On Forever
		Written-By - A. Green*

Al Green - Going Away **** 1985

1)	Going Away
2)	True Love
3)	He Is The Light
4)	I Feel Like Going On
5)	Be With Me Jesus
6)	You Brought The Sunshine
7)	Power
8)	Building Up
9)	Nearer My God To Thee

Al Green - Going Away **** 1985

1)	Going Away
2)	True Love
3)	He Is The Light
4)	I Feel Like Going On
5)	Be With Me Jesus
6)	You Brought The Sunshine
7)	Power
8)	Building Up
9)	Nearer My God To Thee