The Poll is over to the Right of the Blog, it has been Running for a Couple of Weeks now, so if You haven't already Voted, Please do so!
In these Post's, I will write a few Facts, Figures, Stats and Interesting Stuff on the Artist in Question, I will also include a Playlist of their 20 Greatest Songs.
I will Write a Post on each Artist in Order of "Top to Bottom" of the Poll!
ARTIST NUMBER 3..................AL GREEN
This is the Artist who got my Vote, I would say he's the Best Soul Singer of All Time by a Mile!
I think Marvin Gaye is a Great Soul Singer, but not the same Level as Al Green, and I think Luther Vandross was going a bit over to Pop Music by the end of His Career.I have Written many Post's on Al Green and his Music, so put his name in the Search Box, to Read more in-Depth Stuff on Al Green!
Now for a Brief Summary of Al Green's Career and life!
Born in Forrest City, Arkansas on 13th April 1946, Albert Greene was the 6th Child to Robert and Cora Greene, they had 10 in Total
He Started Singing at the Age of 10, in a Band called "The Greene Brothers"
At His High School, He Created and Started a Band by the Name of "Al Greene and the Creations"
This Band also included 2 Friends by the Names of "Curtis Rogers" and "Palmer James"
By 1967 the Band had a Name Change to "Al Greene and the Soul Mates" they Recorded their First Track called "Back Up Train" and Released it on Their own hi
A couple of other Track's followed, but all Flopped!
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After this Al Greene Decided to go Solo, He Released his First Album on His Friend's Record Label "Hot Line" it was also called "Back Up Train" most of the Track's were Written by Rogers and James, also a Chap by the Name of "Tiny Watkins" Al Green Wrote One Track!
The Album again didn't do Well and the Record Label Folded.
Al Green Met Willie Mitchell in 1969, when Mitchell, was Hiring Musicians for His Band, he was so Impressed with Al Greens Voice that He asked Him to Record an Album for "Hi Records" which Mitchell has joined a Couple of Years earlier.
By now "Al Green" had Dropped the "E" form His Name and on 15th April 1969, His Debut Record on the "Hi Record Label" was Released!
The Title Was "Green is Blues" and it was Produced by "Willie Mitchell" it had a lot of Cover version's on there including: My Girl by Smokey Robinson, I Stand Accused by Jerry Butler and Get Back by The Beatles.
It was a Moderate Success!
The Second Album was Released on "Hi" in 1970 and called "Get's Next To You" it was a Hit, it included a Remake of The Temptations Hit "I Cant Get Next To You"
This turned out to be "Al Greens" first of 6 Consecutive Gold Single Hits in the US.
The Rest Musically is History!
A Small Piece on His Private Life, A well Documented Incident Happened in 1974 to Al Green, this Slowly Turned him "To The Lord" and by 1976 He had become "An Ordained Pastor" at His own "Memphis Full Gospel Tabernacle" in Memphis.
Between 1981 and 1989 Al Green Recorded several Full Gospel Albums, that were Equally Well Received by the Record Buying Public, as he was Rewarded with 8 Gospel Grammy's.
To bring Al Green's Story right up to Date, I saw him in Concert, 2 Year's ago at "The O2 Arena " in London and He was "Fantastic" a Truly Great Singer and Performer, Brilliant!
As I write He is still Touring in the "USA" He was at the "Famous Beale Street Music Festival" in Memphis on 5th of May (see Below), and His next Date is 15th June in "Illinois" and this Tour Finishes in August this Year!
What a "Great Performer" I Hope I get another Chance to see Al Green, Sometime in the Future!
Here is Al Green's Full Discography:
29 Studio Albums
23 Compilation Albums
1 Live Album
43 Single Releases
20 OF AL GREEN'S FINEST TRACK'S!
20 OF AL GREEN'S FINEST TRACK'S!
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Al Green was definitely one of the most well-known soul singers all over the world. If you hear he sings, you can't help it but get into the rhythm and starts singing with him.
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