15 October 2009 (gig)
15 October 2009
Blessed with one of the smoothest voices ever, Al Green was the pinnacle of the very heady Soul scene that was a dominant force in the 70’s. His well known transformation to gospel music led to a slightly different singing, but just as impressive, career. One could say he only competition for the King of Soul title in his heyday was the late Marvin Gaye.
Green bought his sweet pipes to Boston at the House of Blues on Thursday October 15, 2009.
Looking much the dapper gentleman in his designer threads, Green opened up his show by proving why his songs induce such romance as he took a bunch of roses (nearly 100 were left for him on a speaker) and immediately started passing the throwing them out to many, more than happy, female recipients.
Draped with a crack backing band (which included 4 back-up singers, 2 keyboards, a drummer and a percussionist - it was an ensemble that Otis Redding would have been impressed by), Green surprisingly did not revisit his Gospel days (it had been reported that he was doing an astonishing 'Amazing Grace' on this tour at other venues), but did bring out his most famous refrain, 'Let’s Stay Together' (which has been covered in great versions by the likes of Tina Turner and Isaac Hayes, as well as being defiled by has-been’s as Michael Bolton) quite early on in the show. Green’s plea to not let his relationship dissolve is still one of music’s most touching and moving songs without the desperation and saccharine that songs of that genre tend to fall into.
His cover of the Bee Gee’s 'How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?' was salient and poignant with more essence than the original (not to slag the brothers Gibb – Green just has the last word on this song). He quickly left the down tone of 'Mend' and quickly replaced it with the subtle-funk of 'Here I Am (Come and Take Me).'
Greens stage manner was much lively than one would expect for a 63 year old ordained reverend. He was not shy about lying on the stage, dropping to his knee and working the crowd that he easily had in his pocket from the start.
In a suprising move, Green did a R&B medley of bands he was influenced by or admired, as he blended snippets of 'Sugar Pie Honey Bunch,' 'My Girl' (during which he gave a shout out to the late David Ruffin), 'Bring It On Home,' 'I've Been Loving You Too Long,' and 'You are Everything.' It was a bittersweet moment as one realizes that most of the vocalists on these songs (save for Russell Thompkins Jr. from the Stylistics) are now gone.
Which is all the more reason to be thankful Green is still around and able to command the room as well, if not better, than he did three decades ago.
Opening act Jesse Dee performed a pleasing Stax-infulenced set. And it was not lost on the audience that he sounded more than just a little like a young Van Morrison.
