Friday Night Jukebox, Vol. XXXI--Al Green: Take Me to the River

This is how great Al Green is (other than the whole being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame/Named as one of Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All-Time/Considered one of the greatest soul singers ever couple of thingies):  I had one hell of a time deciding on which tune of his to use for Friday Night Jukebox.  I started out with "Tired of Being Alone" because it was the song that made me an Al Green fan.  Then I changed my mind to "Let's Stay Together" because it's Green's signature song.  I finally decided on "Take Me to the River" because--and I hope this doesn't sound like too much hyperbole--it's about as close as music can get to a religious experience (it also didn't hurt that the Talking Heads did one of the best cover versions of any song ever--gave me two great versions to listen to this week).

The Reverend Al Green (and yes, he truly is a Reverend preaching still in Memphis, TN) had a relatively short (1969-1974) run of his greatest critical and commercial success (though Green has recorded numerous gospel and secular albums through the years).  But what a run it was--as noted above, he is regarded as one of the all-time soul/pop/rhythm and blues greats, taking soul vocals to an altogether 'nother level.  The suicide of a woman he was having an affair with in 1974 turned Green toward the ministry and a 1979 injury while performing live completed his calling to a greater glory.  Green released nothing but gospel albums for well over a decade before returning to his soul roots, but never achieved success like his early years.

Released in 1974 on his Al Green Explores Your Mind LP (and what a great album title that is), "Take Me to the River" was not released as a single (alas, no bullets this week).  It still became well known, boys and girls, because back in the day radio stations used to play what were called "album cuts"--songs from LPs that were worth the listen even if they weren't your typical Top 40 fare (though the Talking Heads did manage to take it to #26).  The song begins with the Reverend Green dedicating it to his cousin Junior Parker over a driving rhythm section (drums and a wonderful bass line) which is soon followed by an overarching organ which envelops Green's fervor.  And Green's vocals only soar from there, mixing in some nice horn work from the Memphis Horns, until you reach the point where you understand where the Reverend is coming from:  love can indeed be a spiritual awakening.  Green closes the song repeating the phrase "Wash me in the water" with that great guttural evocation that only great soul singers can pull off and leaves you feeling that you've been dunked in the baptismal waters of the River Jordan.

Yup--I really love this one.

And all of which leaves me "Feeling good!"

Enjoy:

Peace,
emaycee