No. 289: Call Me

Band: Al Green
Album: Call Me
Why Rolling Stone gets it right: Another of Green's classic records, "Call Me" is likely Green's best team. On the record, Green hits some country roads and black power themes, all while serenading us with his saccharine voice.
Why Rolling Stone gets it wrong: I'm not super familiar with the record, but I do enjoy it. So, let's say that it's ranked correctly. Why not?
Best song: "You Ought to Be With Me" is great.
Worst song: I don't love "Your Love Is Like the Morning Sun."
Is it awesome?: Sure.

Al Green's voice is starting to grow on me. I can't lie. I'm really enjoying his emotive singing style. Green makes you want to believe him so much that I almost converted to Christianity after hearing "Jesus Is Waiting." Almost.

Otherwise, it's a fun mixup of genres all while keeping with Green's soulful R&B style. His interpretation of Willie Nelson's "Funny How Time Slips Away" works as Green's voice echoes Nelson's honey twang, whereas his straight play of Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" is brilliant. His black power anthem, "Stand Up," is understated and wonderful, while "You Ought to Be With Me" is raucous and fun. The guitar on "Here I Am" is a pleasant genre hop while Green's voice is the star on the title track.

Supposedly, Willie Mitchell's production is the main reason the record sounds this way and I wouldn't dispute that. Bringing overarching strings into the mix to help with the already fantastic horn sections that Green had employed gives the album a lush, orchestrated feel.

Maybe the repetition is the cause, but I really enjoyed "Call Me." I'm not the world's biggest Al Green fan, but this one is really fantastic.

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Because this is the last Al Green record on the list, it's probably best to recount the most famous thing about Al Green. From our good friend Wikipedia:

It is believed that [longtime Green confidant Mary Woodson] ardently wished to be more than just a friend to Al Green. One night, she left the guest quarters, then entered the main section of the house without permission. She snuck into his bathroom to make a surprise attack. With no warning whatsoever, she threw a large pot of sticky boiling grits over him as he was undressed and preparing to shower. As Al Green writhed in pain, she ran into another part of the house and committed suicide by shooting herself.

So, uh, there's that. That was the year he put out "Take Me To The River." Coincidence? Probably not.

No. 285: I'm Still in Love With You

Band: Al Green
Album: I'm Still in Love With You
Why Rolling Stone gets it right: One of Green's classic albums, "I'm Still in Love with You" has him doing rock standards and his usual sugary sweet R&B.
Why Rolling Stone gets it wrong: I have not really fallen in love with Green.
Best song: The title track is great.
Worst song: "Oh, Pretty Woman" is bad.
Is it awesome?: I don't think so.

One of the fun things about this project is doing the research for each album. In the original 1972 review for "I'm Still in Love With You," Rolling Stone reviewer Vince Aletti writes:

Both Bill Withers and Curtis Mayfield are taking steps in these same directions but neither have that certain ego-driven Star Quality that would qualify them as top contenders for the long-vacant Otis Redding heavyweight spot

Weird, eh? Withers has no albums on the list, though I'd argue that "Still Bill" deserves a spot. Mayfield has one proper album and one compilation with the Impressions. Green has two proper albums and a greatest hits compilation.

So, just as in 1972, Al Green wins out.

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Maybe it's because I tend towards being a contrarian or maybe it's because I just don't like too much sugar in vocals, but I'm not in love with Al Green. Certainly hearing him do "Oh, Pretty Woman" is odd. Not in that he's playing a rock and roll standard -- Otis played several in his time. Rather, it's striking to hear such a different version that is so very inferior to the original and -- to a lesser extent -- another version (Van Halen's cover on "Diver Down").

Still, the highlights of the record are pretty excellent. The album highlight, "Love and Happiness," was never released as a single but radio devoured it. It's a wonderful little song, influenced as much by a preacher's sermon in rhythm as it is by the church of Otis Redding.

"Look What You've Done for Me" and the title track are nice little romantic songs and "Simply Beautiful" is sweet. Green's version of the Kris Kristofferson-penned "For the Good Times" is much better than Green's version of Orbison's classic, certainly.

I wouldn't heap the praises RS has (both in 2003 and in 1972), but "I'm Still in Love with You" is one of Green's best albums. He's still a greatest hits artist for me, but this one is not bad.

No. 52: Al Green's Greatest Hits

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.