ALBUM REVIEW: Al Green - Al Green Gets Next to You

    Al Green was seemingly always meant to be a singer - even as a kid, he was performing with his siblings in groups. After a rough upbringing which involved him getting kicked out of the house for listening to Jackie Wilson, Al released a popular single on an independent record label before getting discovered by Memphis producer Willie Mitchell and got signed to Hi Records. As Al Green gained his voice, his success only increased. By the time Gets Next to You released, Al had begun to see real success - the single "Tired of Being Alone" was certified gold. Of course, the album is more than "the record with 'Tired of Being Alone'," as Gets Next to You is a rich soul powerhouse in its own right. Green's voice is smooth and silky, and his renditions of classic tunes combined with some soaring originals make for a tight and pumping experience. Al Green's first major success debuts him as a soul titan.

    Gets Next to You is divided between covers and originals, as is the tradition for the typical soul record of the time. Now, of course, Al Green isn't a typical soul artist - he jumps around in the cover department, from renditions of a Temptations classic to putting the Fire in "Light My Fire." Generally, these songs get a pumping soul rendition, with the namesake Temptations tune of "I Can't Get Next to You" being remade from a funky number into a rich, almost bluesy rendition with Al's soaring vocals over top. When Al is giving renditions of classic soul numbers like the Bert Berns-penned "Are You Lonely for Me Baby," he's still deep in the rhythm, the punchy horns, and the smooth bass-playing of Leroy Hodges. The tinge of funk on "Driving Wheel" shows Green's ability to hook the listener and take control of their mind - somewhere in between soul and funk on this track, and it's a blistering number.

    Green is more than just a great performer - he can write, too. The first glimpse of this talent is obvious on the million-seller "Tired of Being Alone," which an all-time classic of smooth, southern soul. That hook! Those vocals! Those little guitar riffs and smooth organ chords! It's immaculately produced from the start of the song to the end. Other moments take the smooth and morph it into a snap of energy, like the punching "I'm a Ram" backed with a relentless guitar lick, a smashing drumbeat, and Green's careening vocal performance throughout the track. The same can be said for the highlight of "You Say It," which is similarly energetic with its smooth bass riff and funky guitar chords - this also doubles with what is probably one of my favorite Al Green performances on the album. Listen to him go! It's not all perfect - I found the penultimate number of "Right Now, Right Now" to be certainly smooth, but lacks the persistent and unrelenting groove of previous tracks - don't worry, though, he makes up for it with the snappy closer of "All Because."

     Green's third album is a punching, energetic tour-de-force of soul power. From reinventing classic numbers to penning the classic numbers himself, Green's Get Next to You is carried by slick production, a great selection of songs, and a powerful voice that rises to whatever occasion is necessary. Al Green certainly does get next to you, and his brand of soul is so rich and flavorful that it can turn a grey sky blue or turn a river into a raging fire - have mercy!

RATING: ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯

Listen to Al Green Gets Next to You.