Description

 The Story of Al Green: Hi & Mighty 1969-1978 [Double CD] 


Album Release Date: 1998 

Label: Hi 

Genres: Classic Soul, 1970s Soft Pop 

Bitrate: 128-192 kbps


This 37-track CD covers Green's work from 1969 to 1978, taking tracks from all of Green's recordings of the era, in chronological order. All of the big hits are here except for 1972's "Look What You've Done for Me," and although that omission is glaring, it's the only misstep. Due to the no-frills mix of this entire project, tracks like the single version of "Let's Stay Together" and "I'm Still in Love With You" closely resemble the way they originally sounded. Hi and Mighty: The Story of Al Green (1969-78) also warmly brings together tracks that usually don't show up on Green compilations, like patented album tracks "What a Wonderful Thing Love Is" and the perfect "Funny How Time Slips Away." The second disc, covering his 1974-78 work, also earns raves for showing all aspects of Green's personas. The nervous ballads "The Love Sermon" and a single B-side "Strong as Death (Sweet as Love)" both have Green coming unhinged as his eccentricities began to reign supreme. Although this can't make any of the tracks from Have a Good Time sound any more useful than they are, it takes four tracks from 1977's The Belle Album. His first set without Willie Mitchell finds Green sounding renewed on the best tracks: "Belle" and the awe-inspiring "Loving You." Although there are no doubt more technologically savvy compilations available, Hi and Mighty: The Story of Al Green attains the cohesion inherent in Green's best work. ~ Jason Elias, All Music Guide


'Al Green is not often thought of as one of the Great Soul Singers. But that he is, as this two-CD set easily bears out. At a time when the style of sultry Southern soul/rhythm & blues was going out of fashion (late '60s/early '70s) to be supplanted by smoother styles that appealed to more easygoing pop tastes, Al Green kept the fires burning. He was no throwback--Green just built on the gospel-derived style of Sam Cooke. Green's voice was a bittersweet falsetto with just a touch of grittiness. The musical backing of producer Willie Mitchell's Memphis musicians let the music--and Green--have some room, never playing more than necessary, and providing a subtly insinuating groove. No clutter, no overt concessions to mainstream pop--just a suave, passionate yet restrained singer singing thoughtful, concise songs that oozed down-home funk. "Let's Stay Together" was Green's biggest crossover hit, but in the late '70s, the Talking Heads' slinky version of "Take Me To the River" became that band's first hit. This superb collection collects many of Al Green's best songs from the years 1969-1978, and is highly recommended to old fans and the curious alike." by Stuart Batsford


Al Green - Hi & Mighty Vol 01

01 Talk To Me  Listen Listen  

02 I Stand Accused  Listen Listen  

03 What Am I Gonna Do With Myself  

04 I Can't Get Next To You

05 Tired Of Being Alone

06 All Because    

07 Let's Stay Together    

08 Old Time Lovin'    

09 How Can You Mend A Broken Heart    

10 Judy    

11 I'm Still In Love With You    

12 Love And Happiness    

13 What A Wonderful Thing Love Is    

14 Call Me (Come Back Home)    

15 Here I Am (Come And Take Me)    

16 You Ought To Be With Me    

17 Funny How Time Slips Away    

18 Living For You    

19 Let's Get Married    

20 My God Is Real