"I grew up on a steady diet of Al Green and I always said when I got my own place, I would never listen to an Al Green song, nor would I eat okra! Well at least, I kept to one of those promises I made myself! I refuse to eat okra but as far as Mr. Green, well he's down in my bone marrow, so I have no choice. It's amazing as much as I cried about Saturday morning house cleaning while listening to Al Green, it turns out that I have become my mother! I do exactly as she did...I wake up on Saturday mornings put on my Al Green and commence to cleaning my house, from top to bottom. The only difference is that its not an 8 track and I don't use Pine Sol or Ajax! Isn't it strange how we come full circle!
Anyway..this is a classic collection of great soul music...treat yourself..bring in something new, or visit something tried and true! This CD contains great rare hits like "Belle" and "Full of Fire", most compilations don't usually include those 2 tracks. I'm glad they finally did a two disc set of his music...that has all the great radio hits and plenty of rare and off the beaten path tracks too! I love Al Green, and as much as I tried to get away from him, it's amazing how I ended up happily with him, just like an old trusty blanket!
Oh and this CD also has two of my all time favorite Al Green songs..,"Livin' For You," and "You Ought To Be With Me." They could have added his version of "Pretty Woman," but this set doesn't lack because it isn't here, just a personal choice of mine. Other classic rare cuts: "I've Never Found A Girl," and "I Can't Get Next To You."
Please, please, take my advice: Run...don't walk to purchase these classic gems! You will never regret the decision to add Mr. Soul Man himself in all his splendid glory to your music collection. He personifies Gritty Soul!
"
Classic soul
mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 02/08/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Al Green in His Hey day with Willie Mitchell was on Fire.the Vocals alone had soul written all over them.when you heard the memphis soul Mob Rhythm section you just felt the flavor of what they were bringing.the Organ alone&Groove had that touch that struck a chord with you on the spot."let's stay together" still just warms the soul&spirits.when you look up the word Soul in a Dictionary Al Green is One of the faces you shall see.The Soul Brother truly has It."
Buy buy buy!
Kristin1112 | Illinois | 01/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a first time Al Green buyer, I wanted to be sure I was truly buying a "best of". After listening to several track cuts here, I went out and bought the CD.
It's amazing "dinner" music, "sitting by the fire with a glass of wine" music, and even "cleaning the house" music.
In a word, phenominal. Well worth the price. You wont be disappointed."
Have I been asleep?
...... | Brooklyn, N.Y. United States | 07/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just seen him live in Brooklyn NY,which compelled me to go out and buy this timeless Jewel. The show was pretty awesome as well. I've always heard the usual radio tracks and knew he was probably someone very special,musically,but after seeing him then picking up this double disk, I now realize that of course his voice is like silk but the bands music was just pure Brillance.
As I listen to these timless great tracks it's easy to get lost in either his voice,the words,the organ,the rhytym guitar,the horns or the Drums. It like their either all working or theirs a standout instrument,the Voice and the words are always their.
Like in "I'm Still in love with you" it's possible to get lost in any one of these elements
but what really stands out is the Drums,the way he sets the tempo,changes it then comes back to it,while everyone else comes in and out one at a time is just something to marvel at.an audiophiles dream,their's just so much to listen to in this one track catching it once in a while on the radio could never do it justice,and I'm sure you could say that about anyone of these 34 tracks,they each have something special about them and Al is always just right there, steady and smooth.
In concert this past week his vocal was strong and steady and on few occasions while he was singing songs like "Lets get Married" and "Simply Beautiful" he looked like he took a short trip to that other place, the place few of us get to,while alive.
He was still in total control of the voice,mic and the crowd.