Do you like Al Green? Any other artists on Hi Records from that golden era of Willie Mitchell-produced music? Do you like the sounds of Stax Records? Like southern Soul or Funk or R&B?

This is the album to get if:
a) you wish Al Green didn't get into the mushy love songs
b) you like the mushy stuff but want to hear the Reverend a bit more down-home

Something that stands out to me on my all-time favourite Al Green album is the re-invention of songs: 'I Can't Get Next You' is pretty far removed from the Temptations' original , 'Driving Wheel' isn't a Blues shuffle anymore, and did Jim Morrison have any idea of what could be done with 'Light My Fire'?

Regardless of whether each song is a cover, or one that Green wrote or co-wrote, each song is clearly his! Al Green plays around with the sounds of words and phrases, howls, whispers, preaches (and I still get chills when I hear that falsetto howl at the fade-out of 'I Can't Get Next to You'!!).

The Hi Records houseband are one of my all-time favourites, and they know just what to do here: simmer, sweat, have fun, provide that extra punch, or hold right back when needed.

Buy the 2003 release from The Right Stuff/Capitol: it's 24-bit digitally remastered (if that means anything to you), you get the original album plus 3 bonus tracks. Even if you own 'Listen to the Rarities', you're still one song short, as 'True Love' has not been released on CD before.

Al Green Gets Next To You is another showcase for the amazing vocal talents of the Rev. Al Green. The album was his first commercial hit spurred on by the southern-fired r&b song "Tired Of Being Alone". He slows down the Temptations' "I Can't Get Next To You" into a bump and grind and he turns "Light My Fire" into a plea for spiritual fulfillment. He dips into a blues vein on "I'm A Ram" and sermonizes on "God Is Standing By". "Are You Lonely For Me Baby" is the standout track on the album as he tackles the Chuck Jackson song with a religious fervor.

Al Green is one of the premier southern R&B singers and you've probably heard some of his stuff if you're reading this review. This album is strong because it shows off the blues/funk side of Al Green. Of course, "Can't Get Next To You" and "Tired of Being Alone" are strong, as they are also on the Greatest Hits CD. The playing of the band on some of the other album tracks makes this one worth picking up. "I'm a Ram" is southern funk with the organ and the drums offering some breakbeat worthy stuff. Other tunes show off the fat pocket that gave Al Green the perfect context for his amazing talent. "Light My Fire" is a surprising choice to me, but it works real well, pretty much neglecting the verse so that Al can preach on the bridge.

All these tunes are worth it, though. If you have a serious interest in R&B, you can't go wrong with this one after the albums Let's Stay Together and Still in Love with You.

--SD

I by in large listen to hard rock and metal but this LP is so good that I would truly put it in my top 10 favorite CD's of all tiime. You can't be a music fan with out this release.

Al Green's 3rd album. The one that gave us the joke 'I tried to call you, Honey, but I don't have your phone number.' You just got to hear it. Genius at its zenith. A must have.