Al Green : 'Green Is Blues'
Released: 13th July 2009
Label: Capitol
An undoubted classic upon it's release way back in 1969, Al Green's Green Is Blues album is once again about to hit the airwaves, offering a whole new generation a chance to sample the magic. Full of soulful original tracks as well as several unique cover tracks, it promises to deliver the same slice of RnB brilliance as before.
Possessing one of the most powerful and recognisable voices in soul, Green is undoubtedly adept whatever song he is singing. With a more youthful tinge due to the albums age, classics including “Nothing Impossible With Love” and “Get Back Baby” flow with evident ease, reaching crescendos brimming with a unique richness of tone. With an impressive range, each track covers a variety of scales, plumbing the depths before impressive falsettos in the classic Motown style.
Such is the excellence of 60's instrumentation that hearing it after forty years is nothing but a pleasure. With a clean yet gritty sound, the variety and intelligent implementation. From delicate guitars to rich trumpets, each track promises variation and a foot tapping melody. “Baby What's Wrong With You” provides a classic example, clean guitars accompany by a crisp snare that allows Green's vocals to take the focus. “What Am I Gonna Do With Myself?” provides an understated background once again, with a lazy bass line and laid back guitar setting the tone, held together once again by a simple yet effective drum beat. The occasional trumpet flourish is well timed, making for a full and beautiful sound.
The number of covers on the album may have disappointed some, but each is a re-envisioning rather than a straight up copy. Beatles tracks “Get Back” and “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” both receive the Motown treatment, the later transformed into a soulful anthem. With an energetic approach to the vocals, Green invigorates the melody to new levels full of passion. Classic track “Summertime” also gets a make over, slowing the tempo and allowing Green to improvise on the vocal melody. Although probably not as effective as other versions, it affords a look at Green at his laid back best, something that is more than worth it. But perhaps the most well know and loved cover is that one “My Girl”, the Temptations classic. Again given a new lease of life, it retains it's identity whilst Green slows the pace and enjoys the vocal melody once again. A credible rendition, it goes to demonstrate the talent of both Green and his band to do justice to such a formidable track.
Despite it's age Green Is Blues is more than worth it's reissue, even for the unique cover versions alone. Yet with such a wonderful sound and a marvellously talented voice, Al Green's introduction to the 21st Century is a musical education for those that may not have heard his talent. Each track not only displays vast talent but also serves as a small insight into the age of Motown, an era that, somewhat inadvertently, influences a large number of modern musicains.
Words: Dan Grose
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