Whether it's one of his greatest hits albums or one of his early records, any CD collection that doesn't have some Al Green in it is incomplete.
"The Love Songs Collection" by Green is a great compilation of some of this legend's best music. Not to mention, ladies, he's got a lovable smile that will make you want to mend his broken heart.
If the name Al Green doesn't ring a bell, he's the guy who sings the recognizable classic "Let's Stay Together" that graces 1994's "Pulp Fiction" soundtrack. In fact, his music has appeared on countless soundtracks.
This '70s icon has passionate vocals that range between a high Bee Gees tone down to a Barry White quality, though he spends more time in the high range.
Anyone could relate to this music. It's as if he poured his heart out on a CD about love and heartbreak and was still able to come out sounding cool and sexy. His smooth, passionate voice just blends with the mellow beats and makes you bob your head along to the music without even thinking about it.
It is feel-good, but not cheesy.
Songs such as the 1973 top-10 singles "Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)," "Here I am (Come and Take Me)" and "Call Me (Come Back Home)" can put you in a great mood and the lyrics are so human and universal. He is the king of creating songs - songs that can be "your song" with a significant other and will never grow old. The wind instruments accompanying the rhythm of the snare make the album undeniably '70s and undeniably great listening.
This CD is great study-lounge listening as well as fun, relaxing dinner music. Green's soulful voice pumps out the original R&B straight from the '70s in a way that is timeless. Many of the songs do sound very similar but not so much that it gets irritating. This artist mastered a sound that captures a mood of both melancholy heartbreak and of hopeful love that works over and over again.
Green's solo career, which began in 1969, took an enormous turn in the late 1970s after he was assaulted by his girlfriend immediately before she killed herself in 1974. Green turned to producing his own music and began to sing gospel. He became a preacher in Memphis, Tenn., and currently lives there.
In 1995, Green was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Al Green's "The Love Song Collection" is one you have to have. And for all the gentlemen, the word "Love" from the album cover does not make it sappy. Green has a way with his music that makes everyone relate.
Either way, you must have some Al Green for any complete CD collection. It's not necessarily meant for everyday use but more for a pull-out-on-a-veg-out-homework day - especially if you're stressed. It'll calm you down, but it won't put you to sleep.
This is music that anyone would want to listen to. This is an artist whose album you should be ashamed not to have.
