Tag Archives: How Do You Mend A Broken Heart

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.