Tag Archives: Al Green

25 Days Of Christmas: Day 21

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Al Green turns every song he sings into a soulful experience and that includes all nine holiday tracks he recorded for his 1983 album, White Christmas. It is impossible for me to choose a favorite, but this year it is this song which I have had on repeat the most.

 (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Al Green: “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” (1983, written by Kim Gannon, Buck Ram and Walter Kent).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2024: Day 24

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Holy Family

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Reverend Al Green blessed us all with a new release last month. His cover of REM’s “Everybody Hurts” is another remarkable take done in Green’s signature R&B laden style, much like his early career covers of “How Do You Mend A Broken Heart”, “For The Good Times” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”, to name a few. He has a mesmerizing way of giving an already fabulous song a new life. His take on today’s Christmas song is no different and it is perfect for the holiest night of the year.

For a female led version of this holiday classic, I offer Tracy Chapman’s evocative and poignant rendition. It was released in 1997 on the third volume of the charity compilation series, A Very Special Christmas. This woman has had a well deserved resurgence of late thanks to country artist Luke Combs & his 2023 #1 cover of her 1988 masterpiece, “Fast Car”. It was not only a wonderful tribute to her & her incredibly stunning song, but it also made Chapman the first black woman to have a top selling record in that genre. Her surprise performance with Combs at the 66th Grammy Awards in February showed Chapman first hand how beloved she & her song still are 36 years after its initial release, literally defining the word timeless.

Al
tracy

Top: Al Green on stage at The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Concert in Cleveland in 1995. Bottom: Tracy Chapman and her radiant smile on stage at The Grammy Awards in February 2024. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Al Green: “O Holy Night” (1983, written by Adolphe Charles Adam and John Sullivan Dwight).

Tracy Chapman: “O Holy Night” (1997, written by Adolphe Charles Adam and John Sullivan Dwight).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 24

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the count down.

Blog day 24

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The holiest night of the year is upon us. In honor of Christmas Eve, I offer his & her versions of the song that celebrates this event which were recorded 25 years apart by a Queen and a Reverend. 

“Silent night holy night
All is calm all is bright
’Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace“.

Aretha_Franklin_460x470_courtesy_Arista_Records
al green (1)

Top: The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin in an undated photo. Bottom: The Reverend Al Green in the 1970’s. 

(Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Aretha Franklin: ”Silent Night” (2008, written by Franz Xaver Gruber and Joseph Mohr).

Al Green: ”Silent Night” (1983, written by Franz Xaver Gruber and Joseph Mohr).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2022: Day 5

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

day 5 2022

A vintage Christmas card image found on Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Time to add some soul to the countdown. Today’s song is another well loved classic but this one dates back to the middle of the 19th century. It is based on the French poem “Minuit, chrétiens” (“Midnight, Christians”) by Placide Cappeau & was set to music by fellow Frenchman, composer Adolphe Adam.

In 1855 it was translated to English by American classical music critic, John Sullivan Dwight. Both versions of the song celebratate the religious aspect of the holiday. And today’s R&B master recorded my favorite male rendition of this track in 1983. It is just stunning.

“Led by the light
of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by
His cradle we stand“.

Al 1

Al 2

The front & back of Al Greeb’s 1983 albun, “White Christmas”. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Al Green: “O Holy Night” (1983, written by written by Adolphe Charles Adam and John Sullivan Dwight).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

Music Monday: November 21, 2022

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Music Monday

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

If you have ever wondered when exactly Al Green became the R&B legend he is, it was 1972. The Forrest City, Arkansas native released not one but two of his best albums that year: Let’s Stay Together debuted in January and I’m Still in Love with You came out in October.

Both records gave us some great original music but also introduced us to the songs Green admired with his unique and incredible covers. The first album featured an unbelievably soulful rendition of “How Do You Mend A Broken Heart” initially recorded by The Bee Gees while the October release had a Kris Kristofferson track (“For The Good Times”) and a Roy Orbison classic (“Oh, Pretty Woman”).

If you hear a touch of a Stax beat happening on these albums, that is because Green’s drummer was Al Jackson Jr., a founding member of that label’s house band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s. Green took the music around him, his gospel roots, his influences like Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke and turned it all into a gorgeous hybrid of soul, R&B, pop and southern sass.

Today’s song is a favorite of mine thanks to a standout vocal by Green, the electric harmony of his backup singers, the incredibly sharp & powerful horns and a seductive rhythm that is impossible not to move along with. It is just one of the many blessings from the man we now call The Reverend.

“Love is walkin’ together
Talkin’ together
Singin’ together
Prayin’ together“.

Al Together

Al Still

(Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Al Green: “Love and Happiness” (1972, written by Al Green and Mabon Hodges).

Stay safe and well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 512

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Aug 2021 blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

I may hate the Bee Gees for all of eternity for their disco foray, but before those unfortunate years, they made some very good music together. And today’s track is the one that put them on the map here in America. It was released in May 1971 and by August 7th of that year, it had become the #1 song in the country. It stayed in that position for four consecutive weeks giving the group their first number one record in the United States. The harmony of the brothers’ voices, the slow gorgeous string & trumpet arrangements and the melancholy feel of a sad love song made this track unbelievably beautiful.

My mother was insanely in love with this tune. I do not believe there was a moment in my childhood that I did not hear this song at least ten times a day. It is the one song I most closely identify her with. Even when I hear the extraordinarily great cover by soul legend Al Green, my first thought is about my mother. I can still recall the look of pure joy on her face whenever she listened to this track. Those were some of best moments of my life. And for the same reasons this song breaks my heart every time I hear it as well. I guess that is the definition of bittersweet, as are the lyrics.

“I can still feel the breeze that rustles through the trees
And misty memories of days gone by
We could never see tomorrow
No one said a word about the sorrow“.

Bee Gees circa 1970

The Bee Gees circa 1970 (L-R): Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Bee Gees: “How Do You Mend A Broken Heart” (1971, written by Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.The

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 476

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Tom Petty music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

If the only thing you know about Marc Cohn is that he wrote & sang today’s song, that is enough. What a gift this track is. Forget the fact that it a fabulous tune and that he sings the heck out of it. It is a wonderful musical history lesson on the “land of the Delta blues”.

There is a reference to the self-appointed “Father of The Blues”, W.C. Handy (he wrote “Saint Louis Blues” amongst other notables songs) who was one of the first musicians to use folk music as the basis for his blues compositions. There are also nods to one of the city’s most famous roads known for its music-Beale Street-along with its most famous resident, Elvis Presley.

Cohn also mentioned his stop at the city’s Hollywood Cafe (“Now Muriel plays piano every Friday at the Hollywood”), one of the city’s best loved musical genres (gospel), soul singer Al Green’s church & a famous Carl Perkins song recorded at Sun Records Studio (“Put on my blue suede shoes…..”). Cohn visited the city in the 1980’s and turned the experience into a Top 20 hit in 1991.

Cohn was born July 5, 1959 in Ohio, making today birthday #62. I saw him at Jones Beach several years ago when he was touring as Stevie Nicks’ special guest. It was probably twenty years after today’s song was released and he sounded as great as he did on the record. He is wonderful live performer & a very talented musician. Here’s to 100 more birthdays for Marc Cohn.

“They’ve got catfish on the table
They’ve got gospel in the air
And Reverend Green be glad to see you
When you haven’t got a prayer“.

Marc

Marc Cohn circa 1991. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Marc Cohn: “Walking In Memphis” (1991, written by Marc Cohn).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 463

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

June 2021 blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today marks the 85th birthday for one of the greatest artists this country ever produced. Kris Kristofferson is a poet, a songwriter, an actor, a singer, an entertainer, a Rhodes Scholar & a veteran. He was born June 22,1936 in Texas and except for having to watch him die in the 1976 version of “A Star Is Born”, I have loved-actually, adored-everything he has ever done. And don’t even get me started on those unbelievably gorgeous eyes, the hair, the beard and every part of his swagger that made him one of the most beautiful men I ever laid eyes on. Sa-woooooon.

Today’s song is from his 1970 debut album, Kristofferson. It contained three of his biggest hits: “Me & Bobby McGee” (Day 313), “Help Me Make It Though The Night” (Day 49), and “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”. Fellow superstars Al Green, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn & The King himself Elvis Presley covered this track over the last five decades and they are all unbelievably good, of course. But there is something about Kristofferson’s own versions of his songs that highlight his exceptionally talented soul.

Happy birthday, Kris Kristofferson. May you celebrate 100 more. And thank you for every word you have ever written.

“Let’s just be glad
We had some time to spend together
There’s no need to watch the bridges
That we’re burning“.

Kris

Kris Kristofferson’s 1970 debut album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Kris Kristofferson: “For The Good Times” (1970, written by Kris Kristofferson).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 435

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

May blog 2021

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Congratulations to Carole King who is finally being inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame as a performer in the Class of 2021. She has only been waiting over two decades for this well deserved honor. To reiterate the rules of the HOF, an artist is eligible 25 years after their debut album is released. King’s first album, Writer, came out 51 years ago in May 1970 (Tapestry just celebrated its 50th anniversary as it was released February 1971). So King was eligible for The HOF in 1995. And what a prestigious class that was: The Allman Brothers, Neil Young, Al Green, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, et al.

King was inducted in 1990 as a songwriter with her ex-husband, Gerry Goffin. But even if she did not get in as a performer with her first record, Tapestry should have made her a slam dunk for the Class of 1996. Then she would have been inducted with The Shirelles who turned her & Goffin’s song, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” into a #1 hit in 1961. David Bowie and Gladys Knight & The Pips were also part of that year’s honored group.

Now King will be inducted alongside another fabulous female artist, Tina Turner, which is great. But their class includes two rappers and a 1980’s bubble gum pop girl band. UGH!!! BUBBLE GUM POP In the same institution as King, Turner, Elvis, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, etc. Ugh again. My heart.

So to celebrate King’s insanely long overdue honor and to commemorate the anniversary of her free concert in NYC’s Central Park on May 25, 1973, today’s song is from her 1971 masterpiece. Tapestry is probably the greatest record ever made by a female artist. All hail Carole King!!!

“Sometimes I wonder
If I’m ever gonna make it
Home again it’s so far
And out of sight“.

Carole King

Carole King, LA 1983. Photo by Jim Shea (Courtesy of caroleking.com). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Carole King: “Home Again” (1971, written by Carole King).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 393

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

May 2021 blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today we celebrate the 75th birthday for The Reverend himself, Al Green. Born April 13, 1946 in Arkansas., he is another in a long line of singers who started out in a group with siblings-in his case, his brothers. But after a fight with his father Green was forced out of his family home as a teen. In high school he formed a vocal group and by 1969 he caught the attention of record producer Willie Mitchell. He signed Green to his label and by the early 1970’s Green was on the map as one of the finest R&B singers in the industry.

His wild living lifestyle of that decade gave way to a religious enlightenment, leading to his ministry in 1976 and his gospel recordings during most of the 1980’s. But he returned to secular music through a duet with Annie Lenox on “Put A Little Love In Your Heart” for the 1988 movie, “Scrooged”. Green went on to become one of the premier soul singers in history and a beloved legend of music. He is also one of my all time favorites, due in large part to today’s song. Happy birthday, Al Green.

“Love is…
Walking together
Talking together
Singing together
Praying together“.

Al Green

Al Green circa 1974. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Al Green: “Love & Happiness” (1972, written by Al Green and Mabon Hodges).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.