Band: Al Green
Album: Al Green's Greatest Hits
Why Rolling Stone gets it right: The top soul record on the list, this collection brings together such classics as "Tired of Being Alone," "Let's Stay Together," "I Can't Get Next To You," and "Here I Am (Come And Take Me)." Few have the honey-gold voice that the Reverend Al does and this collection shows it off.
Why Rolling Stone gets it wrong: I'm not sure RS has it wrong. I suspect soul should have its own list, but being that it's one giant list, it's hard to argue with it being at 51.
Best song: "Let's Stay Together" is a classic among classics.
Worst song: "L-O-V-E" isn't all that good.
Is it awesome?: Sure.
Here's what you know about Al Green:
- He's a reverend
- He did "Let's Stay Together," an all-time great.
- He became a preacher after a woman threw a pot of boiling grits on him.
- He may have the best voice in the history of R&B/Soul music
"Al Green's Greatest Hits" is awesome. Green has a tight band on every track and his voice oozes with sweetness. "Tired of Being Alone" -- despite it's strange thesis of codependency -- is still used in popular media to evoke the time period in which it was released (1970). "Let's Stay Together" is played daily on radio stations nationwide, remains one of the 10 best love songs ever and has been covered by everyone from Michael Bolton to Tina Turner.
Al Green has the voice. He's an amazing singer and this collection showcases that.
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