b. Al Greene, 13 April 1946, Forrest City, Arkansas, USA. Having served his musical apprenticeship in the Greene Brothers, a fraternal gospel quartet, this urbane singer made his first recordings in 1960. Four years later he helped form the Creations with Curtis Rogers and Palmer Jones. These two companions subsequently wrote and produced 'Back Up Train', a simple, effective ballad and a 1967 R&B hit for his new group, Al Greene And The Soul Mates. Similar releases fared less well, prompting Green's decision to work solo. In 1969 he shared a bill with bandleader Willie Mitchell, who took the singer to Hi Records. The combination of a crack house band, Mitchell's tight production and Green's silky, sensuous voice, resulted in some of soul's definitive moments. The combination took a little time to gel, but with the release of 'I Can't Get Next To You' (1970), they were clearly on course. Previously a hit for the Temptations, this slower, blues-like interpretation established an early pattern. However, the success of 'Tired Of Being Alone' (1971), a Green original, introduced a smoother perspective. A US number 11 and a UK number 4, it was followed by 'Let's Stay Together' (1971), 'I'm Still In Love With You' (1972), 'Call Me (Come Back Home)', 'Here I Am (Come And Take Me)' (both 1973), each of which increased Green's stature as a major artist. His personal life, however, was rocked in October 1974. Following an argument, his girlfriend, Mary Woodson, burst in while the singer was taking a bath and poured boiling grits over his back. She then shot herself dead. Although he occasionally recorded gospel material, a scarred and shaken Green vowed to devote more time to God. His singles, meanwhile, remained popular, 'L-O-V-E (Love)' and 'Full Of Fire' were both R&B chart toppers in 1975, but his work grew increasingly predictable and lacked the passion of his earlier records.

The solution was drastic. The partnership with Mitchell was dissolved and Green opened his own recording studio, American Music. The first single was the majestic 'Belle' (a US R&B Top 10 hit), although the accompanying album was a departure from his commercial formula and something of a 'critics favourite', as were the later Hi collections. The failure of further singles suggested that the problem was more than simply a tired working relationship. In 1979 Green fell from a Cincinnati stage, which he took as a further religious sign. The Lord Will Make A Way was the first of several gospel-only recordings, which included a 1985 reunion with Mitchell "For He Is The Light". Green has since continued to record sacred material. A practising minister, he nonetheless reached the UK singles chart in 1989 with the distinctly secular 'Put A Little Love In Your Heart'. His Hi albums, Al Green Gets Next To You, Let's Stay Together, I'm Still In Love With You and Call Me, are particularly recommended. Greatest Hits and Take Me To The River � Greatest Hits Volume Two offer the simplest overview, with the former being reissued on CD in an expanded form with 15 tracks. Truth 'N' Time (1978) best represents the post-Mitchell, pre-gospel recordings. Don't Look Back was a sparkling return after many years away from recording new R&B/soul material, and some critics rated it as high as albums such as Let's Stay Together. The US release was delayed for nearly three years, until In Good Hands was issued, containing eight tracks from Don't Look Back.

Encyclopedia of Popular Music Copyright Muze UK Ltd. 1989 - 1998

LINKS TITLE YEAR More Greatest Hits 1998 Anthology 1997 Your Heart's In Good Hands 1995 Love is Reality 1992 One in a Million 1991 Truth 'N' Time 1991 I Get Joy 1989 Love Rituals 1989 Soul Survivor 1987 He is the Light 1985 White Christmas 1983 I'll Rise Again 1983 Precious Lord 1982 Tokyo Live... On Fire in Tokyo 1978 Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 1977 The Belle Album 1977 Full of Fire 1976 Greatest Hits 1975 Al Green is Love 1975 Al Green Explores Your Mind 1974 Livin' For You 1973 Call Me 1973 I'm Still In Love With You 1972 Let's Stay Together 1971 Al Green is Blues 1970 Al Green Gets Next To You 1970

More Greatest Hits 1998

Anthology 1997

Your Heart's In Good Hands 1995

Love Is Reality 1992

One In A Million 1991

Truth 'N' Time 1991

I Get Joy 1989

Love Ritual: Rare And Unreleased (1968-76) (1989)

Soul Survivor 1987

He Is The Light 1985

Gospel According To Al Green (1984)

Trust In God (1984)

White Christmas 1983

I'll Rise Again 1983

Higher Plane (1982)

Precious Lord 1982

Lord Will Make A Way (1981)

Tokyo Live... On Fire in Tokyo 1978

Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 (1977)

Belle Album (1977)

Full Of Fire 1976

Greatest Hits 1975

Al Green Is Love (1975)

Al Green Explores Your Mind 1974

Livin' For You 1973

Call Me 1973

I'm Still In Love With You 1972

Let's Stay Together 1971

Green Is Blues 1970

Al Green Gets Next To You 1970