Recommendations of the Editorial team
Al Green is not entirely innocent in the overpopulation: his music is more than beneficial with consequences. But what really made him inspiration for me were his unfiltered passion, his emotional directness and the enthusiasm with which he works in his music. There are people who are predestined for certain activities – Al Green was born to conjure up a smile on our lips. Whether it is “you ought to be with me”, “I’m still in love with you”, “Love and Happiness” or, not to forget, “Let’s Stay Together”: Whenever the beat begins and the guitar starts, you know that you are richly given. However, his songs were never as political as that of Marvin Gaye or Donny Hathaway.
His voice will always remind me of how I drove my parents over the country roads in the area of Memphis. We played music from the cassette recorder, and every time I heard AL heard I had the desire to become a singer myself. His voice was proof that it was also completely okay to be blessed with a softer falsetta voice. That was important to me because I did not have the robust-piping organ to clear up “American Idol”. Al was the born Crooner. The way he stretched and turned a grade could neither be imitated nor learn.
And behind him this wonderful band was. The wind players are subtle on songs like “Tied of Being Alone” and never push themselves up, but always stay funky. And I loved the fact that the little uncleanliness on this album was not even trying to cover up.
We sang “Let’s Stay Together” and it was the highlight in my modest career
At some point I found that the man actually lived in my neighborhood. Years later I was able to go to the White House (when Clinton was president), and Al sang Sam Cookes “A Change is gonna come”. The audience let the tears run wild. After publishing my first solo album, I had to go to Memphis for a TV special, and I called it and asked if he would honor me to come on stage. We sang “Let’s Stay Together” and it was the highlight in my modest career.