Before Willie Mitchell became the architect of Al Green's classic '70s sound, he was a Memphis trumpeter and bandleader purveying instrumental dance-party soul that sounded like what Booker T. and the MGs might have b... more »een doing had they possessed a horn section. Soul Serenade collects 20 tracks that posit Mitchell as a more than worthy peer of those Stax Records titans and a direct link to the even leaner funk of the Meters. If those outfits make your rump shake, you'll have trouble resisting the likes of "20-75," "Bum Daddy," "Toddlin'." Not that there's any reason you should. --Rickey Wright« less
Before Willie Mitchell became the architect of Al Green's classic '70s sound, he was a Memphis trumpeter and bandleader purveying instrumental dance-party soul that sounded like what Booker T. and the MGs might have been doing had they possessed a horn section. Soul Serenade collects 20 tracks that posit Mitchell as a more than worthy peer of those Stax Records titans and a direct link to the even leaner funk of the Meters. If those outfits make your rump shake, you'll have trouble resisting the likes of "20-75," "Bum Daddy," "Toddlin'." Not that there's any reason you should. --Rickey Wright
"As a young black kid growing up in the south during the 60's, there was not a weekend during the summer that went by without me hearing some of these Willie Mitchell "gems" being played at the neighborhood cookouts and parties. As a college student in the early 70's, I heard more of Mr. Mitchell's masterful productions in the soulful guise of Al Green. No dorm party or house party was complete without dancing to at least one Al Green song. I have Willie Mitchell to thank for this. His slick and dedicated productions has left a mark that will always be often imitated but never duplicated. Thanks for the memories, Wille!"