NEW ON CD
Green delivers soulful
sounds of Memphis
"I Can't Stop"
Al Green
Blue Note
As much as I welcome this overdue re-pairing of two of Memphis' stellar soul brothers, Al Green and Willie Mitchell, the one thing missing is that syncopated tom drum thump that was part of their trademark recording studio sound back in the 1970s.
But what Green's latest album sacrifices in sonic warmth, it certainly makes up for in song material. Anyway you record it, it's still that "classic Memphis soul music," as the liner notes say.
Green and Mitchell pick up where they left off three decades ago with a satisfying album filled with the same elements that made the music have such an immediate impact to fans.
The one song that's been getting all the attention of a welcome return of form is "My Problem Is You." This stretched-out track has one of Mitchell's better arrangements, buoying a confession of a troubled man who can't stop thinking about his special someone.
While Green's lyric is plain-spoken, it's up to Mitchell to explore every facet of emotional want with a horn-driven intro, shifting to guitar and organ, and a string bridge with a fine guitar solo by Charles "Skip" Pitts. The music overall is just stone brilliant, brimming with confidence.
Green's voice sounds like it hasn't aged much at all, if any. Besides the aforementioned song, there's a lot of "you" that's addressed by the bulk of the songs, as in "I've Been Waitin' for ...," "I'd Still Choose ...," "I've Been Thinkin' About ..." and, not surprisingly, "You," all strong testimonials from the Right Rev. Green concerning the trials, tribulations and glory of secular love.
While most of the songs are very much in the pocket of Memphis soul -- the slower-paced "Rainin' in My Heart," "Not Tonight" and "Million to One" come to mind -- the album ends on a surprisingly playful musical note on "Too Many." The carnival-sounding music, complete with a clarinet solo, makes for a good contrast to Green's lyric litany of worries.
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