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Just a few uneven songs keep me from giving this a full 5 stars. There are just so many good and delicious songs in here: "Lay It Down", "Standing In The Rain", "You've Got The Love I Need", "Just For Me". And I'd go as far as say it equals some of Al Green's past greats as well. Not forgetting the main man, of course, whose voice hasn't changed (or aged) one bit. Forget all those $2 R&B stars, starlets and posers, like Trey Songz, The-Dream, Ashanti etc etc etc. THIS is one of the best contemporary soul discs there is out today, period. It's also a true testament to how talented Ahmir ".uestlove" Thompson and his producing partner James Poyser are.
Only the most talented ones have it. But Al,.uestlove,The Dap Kings,John Legend,Anthony Hamilton and everyone involved in this album bring out it's best qualities on all fronts. And big time kudos to.uestlove for realizing that. And besides when you hear songs like "I'm Wild About You","Standing In The Rain" and the wonderful "You've Got The Love I Need" those horns,basslines,organ and rhythm will flow right through you so well you'll be as much involved in the whole musical experience as Al is.
I have a friend in California. It appears everything is sort of level headed on that front so far in that department. So much so that even though the Dap Kings as opposed to the HI rhythm section are the musicians on this.the song,as it were remains the same.uestlove,producer of this album understood that and a lot more going into this project because he's not only a fan of Al's but also understands the way in which he adapts his vocals into the band who are playing with him.Now I don't know for sure but on the title track alone I get the impression that Al is definately mic'd up,meaning that he's not being fed into the console. James Brown had a "sound".Prince has a "sound" and.so does Al. It just.has the Al Green sound. After all updating Al with heavy modern techno/hip-hop considerations would just be a tremendous musical imbalance on every front. With him.all the instrumentalists just fall into place EXACTLY where they should.
So here I am going to put my two cents on this. True this album is not about making hits but rather presenting Al Green as a person with a distinctive "sweet funk" sound rather than a formula. It's a technique he used a lot on his classic 70's recordings. But that isn't my point.
We talk about music all the time and this is an album and an artist we come to frequenty.I've reviewed Al Green here before and will do so again,hopefully many times. But either way around it the appeal of this album is easy to think about for the most part but kind of hard for me to put into words. Doesn't sound too deliberately natural,isn't trying to be ultra edgy. Does he stick to it like glue the way.(hey sorry I like him too) Van Morrison does now and again.Not on your LIFE.
Now this is definately one of those concepts that may invite the standard issue "this is REAL music" kind of reviews. Al Green is one of those people whose voice is so elastic and expressive that it actually merrits it's own sound. But Al's emotional,reflective vocal licks in place with the other musicians always know where they belong in each song.
Bluesy and soulful duet "Take Your Time" with Corinne Bailey Rae is fine & engaging while the super-fine "Too Much" is smooth & soulful. Sublime love is celebrated in another new Green classic "No One Like You" and quality of vocals are timeless & in addition to that great rangy voice, Al Green co-wrote most songs in this tremendous set and continues to be prolific in this area as with writing credits for "I Can't Stop" and "Everything's OK" filled with great new songs that would have scored highly in better musical times than this bleek and musically bankrupt time zone. Al Green is a timeless legendary giant who continues turning out sublime classic sets for all to savor and enjoy who love and embrace the finest music has to offer.Bravo Al Green and can't wait for the next. Right off the top with "Lay It Down" it is clear Al Green found his groove in this new collection of soulful songs sung with passion & depth that is his trademark. "You've Got The Love I Need" flourishes with strings, choir and great guitar licks surrounding a smooth & prime vocal from the legendary singer blending fine with an inspired vocal from guest Anthony Hamilton and this winner has that hit sound but today radio plays only the "wannabes" & is not in to the real thing but great thing is this stunner won well-deserved Grammy Awards anyway.too bad though for that talent starved radio audience. "Stay With Me (By The Sea)" featuring John Legend is another soulful gem in a program where all songs are winners.
This is a solid album, reflective of some of Green's best early career work. I can live without the guest artists, but at least they don't detract from Al's artistry. It's a bit amusing to read that this is a "comeback" for Al Green, as if his past few secular albums have not existed. It is much better than the CD which preceded it, I Can't Stop, but it is not as good as his best album, 1995's Your Heart's In Good Hands.
Keep Standing in the Rain. He's the Master of Soul, and if you love the Reverand's previous works, you'll not regret adding this one to your collection.I simply can't take this disc out of my player. This group of recordings is vintage Al: smooth, seamless, timeless. Bravo Al. It's strange to hear people talk about Al's "come Back" with this compilation. In my opinion, he never left the stage. I'm purchasing it for two friends who I know will be thrilled with it.
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