Al Green - I Can't Stop

Picked up this CD this weekend out of the used CD bin. I came to Al Green in a roundabout way: I'm a big fan of Talking Heads' "Stop Making Sense" movie and CD. They record Green's "Take Me to the River" which led me Green's other music. My all time Green fav is "Let's Stay Together," but he's got many memorable tunes.

This CD, released on Blue Note(?!) last year is a return to Green's 70's roots with producer/arranger Willie Mitchell. When it was released, this album took a beating from some critics that complained that it all sounded like the same ole Al Green. That's a bad thing? It is great to hear these horn/string arrangements, Green crooning up to his trademark falsetto moans, and some incredible Hammond Organ playing by Robert Clayborne. It reminds me of Solomon Burke's recent release, "Don't Give Up On Me," classic music from a great musician. Just because a musician sticks with what he knows and doesn't want to stick a rap in the middle of a CD just to sell it to the younger audience doesn't mean that the artist doesn't still have something to offer.

Daddy like. If you yearn for some 70's soul music, check out the Rev. Green. You'll also like the Bo-Keys, reviewed earlier on this site.