Search - Al Green :: Belle Album: Expanded Edition

Al's State Of Independance

Andre S. Grindle | Brewer Maine | 04/12/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After spending the first half of the 70's churning out classic after classic with Willie Mitchell Al Green elects to take the creative reigns and write all of his own material,often accompanying himself and his new band on guitar. The result is the title cut,the first triumph of Al's new independance that is happily very much in keeping with his other classic songs.On the wholesome "Georgia Boy" and "Dream" you get the same general effect.Yet this album also contains some new elements in Green's sound.Newcomber Rob Payne instroduces the syndrum to Greens,which comes to prominant play on the bonus cuts (all of which are strong uptempo soul worthy of inclusion on the original album) but also on the clavinet driven "I Feel Good",a danceable funky soul tune that is the closest Al Green ever got to disco but it's one of the strongest examples of the disco-soul genre"All And All" is a great joy to hear with it's rousing rollicking soul rhythm.The stirring "Feels Like Summer" is a personal favorite:mellow,modern for it's time and very on time for a day in early June. This album came pretty late in the day for Green's hit period and was something of a last gasp before he made the full conversion to gospel but what a way for an already thriving artist to reinvent themselves!And Al Green had the great sense to do so before his music began to grow stale."

An undiscovered gem

Jesse Barish | Venice, California | 09/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of my favorite Al Green albums. Soulful and spiritual, this was a transitional album in many ways. After all the Willie Mitchell produced hits, this was Al's production. Stripped down and driven by Al's acoustic guitar, this record sizzles and has some great songs and inspired playing. Not to be missed."