Al Green was the first great soul singer of the 70s and arguably the last great Southern soul singer.
With his seductive singles for Hi Records in the early 70s, Green bridged the gap between deep soul and smooth Philadelphia soul. He incorporated elements of gospel, interjecting his performances with wild moans and wails, but his records were stylish, boasting immaculate productions that rolled along with a tight beat, sexy backing vocals and lush strings.
The distinctive Hi Records sound that the vocalist and producer Willie Mitchell developed made Al Green the most popular and influential soul singer of the early 70s, influencing not only his contemporaries, but also veterans like Marvin Gaye. Green was at the peak of his popularity when he suddenly decided to join the ministry in the mid 70s. At first, he continued to record secular material, but by the 80s he was concentrating soley on gospel.
During the late 80s and 90s he occasionally returned to R&B but he remained primarily a religious performer for the rest of his career. Nevertheless, Green's classic early 70s recordings retained their power and influences throughout the decades, setting the standard for smooth soul.Al Green was the first great soul singer of the 70s and arguably the last great Southern soul singer.
With his seductive singles for Hi Records in the early 70s, Green bridged the gap between deep soul and smooth Philadelphia soul. He incorporated elements of gospel, interjecting his performances with wild moans and wails, but his records were stylish, boasting immaculate productions that rolled along with a tight beat, sexy backing vocals and lush strings.
The distinctive Hi Records sound that the vocalist and producer Willie Mitchell developed made Al Green the most popular and influential soul singer of the early 70s, influencing not only his contemporaries, but also veterans like Marvin Gaye. Green was at the peak of his popularity when he suddenly decided to join the ministry in the mid 70s. At first, he continued to record secular material, but by the 80s he was concentrating soley on gospel.
During the late 80s and 90s he occasionally returned to R&B but he remained primarily a religious performer for the rest of his career. Nevertheless, Green's classic early 70s recordings retained their power and influences throughout the decades, setting the standard for smooth soul.false2023-07-15 07:27:25Greatest Hits819981998-01-011998-01-019BalladBluesFunkR&BRockSmooth SoulSoulSouthern Soul11142322482119ab8945e-08e9-474e-a66a-400b8bd3dd34fb7272ba-f130-4f0a-934d-6eeea4c18c9a9421508e-362a-38e8-ba54-658513768862/media/data/media5/Music/Al Green/Greatest Hits (1975)/folder.jpgAl GreenAlbumArtist/config/metadata/People/A/Al Green/folder.jpgAl GreenArtist/config/metadata/People/A/Al Green/folder.jpgAl GreenAl GreenAlbert Leornes Greene (born April 13, 1946), known professionally as Al Green, is an American singer, songwriter, pastor and record producer best known for recording a series of soul hit singles in the early 1970s, including "Take Me to the River", "Tired of Being Alone", "I'm Still in Love with You", "Love and Happiness", and his signature song, "Let's Stay Together". After his girlfriend died by suicide, Green became an ordained pastor and turned to gospel music. He later returned to secular music.
Green was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. He was referred to on the museum's site as being "one of the most gifted purveyors of soul music". He has also been referred to as "The Last of the Great Soul Singers". Green is the winner of 11 Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also received the BMI Icon award and is a Kennedy Center Honors recipient. He was included in the Rolling Stone list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, ranking at No. 65, as well as its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, at No. 10.