Al Green Let's Stay Together CD

2 LPs on 1 CD. Both are available separately on CD and cassette.
Personnel: Al Green (vocals); James Mitchell (bass saxophone); Leroy Hodges (bass instrument); Al Jackson (drums); Charles Chalmers (background vocals); Mabon "Teenie" Hodges (guitar); Ed Logan (tenor saxophone); Wayne Jackson (trumpet); Jack Hale (trombone); Charles Hodges (piano, organ); Howard Grimes (drums).
Audio Remasterer: Bob Norberg.
Liner Note Author: Colin Escott.
Unknown Contributor Role: Al Green.
In the early days of the CD age, Motown released an astonishing number of CDs, including a whole line of single-disc sets that contained two original records on one CD. Motown's initial CD two-fers were criticized in many quarters for shoddy, unattractive packaging and indifferent remastering, but less discriminating consumers found them perfectly acceptable, since they offered a lot of music at a reasonable price. By the mid-'90s, Motown eventually phased these discs out of print, replacing them with remastered individual discs, but some of the records never were re-released on CD, which made this series valuable for Motown collectors. By the early '80s, Motown had acquired the rights to Hi Records, which meant they were able to release Al Green's Let's Stay Together and I'm Still in Love with You on one CD. Since both albums share a similar mood, they make for an excellent two-fer. The Right Stuff later issued these albums individually with better packaging and sound, yet this remains a good bargain. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Prior to this album, Al Green never had a number one song. The title track, "Let's Stay Together," achieved that status and held it for nine consecutive weeks. Green's ingenuity produced one of the all-time classics, which has the bounce of a dance cut and the passion of a ballad. The dynamic soul singer's whispers, animated cries, and riffing enhance his already stirring delivery. This album was sold on the strength of the title track as there were no other selections to grace the Billboard charts. However, this album includes the timeless gem "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" and lesser-known beauties like the exulting "Judy," the cookin' testimonial "I Never Found a Girl," and the soothing blues effort "It Ain't No Fun to Me." The Arkansas native and his creative partner Willie Mitchell season these selections with lucid rhythm arrangements complemented by the faint strums of a guitar and brawn, unchiding horns. ~ Craig Lytle
After two albums loaded with cover songs and draped in the deep influence of Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, Al Green used LET'S STAY TOGETHER to introduce his own style to the world. Green wrote or co-wrote seven of the nine songs on LET'S STAY TOGETHER, including the title track, his only No. 1 pop single. Love and relationships provided a universal theme for this sweet soul music. The lightly surging groove of "Let's Stay Together" carries a plea for reconciliation; the delicate ballad "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" (a Bee Gees cover) addresses the aftermath of a breakup.
Throughout LET'S STAY TOGETHER, the Hi Records house band fits exquisitely with Green's heavenly tenor, whether it be Charles Hodges's inspirational organ fills on "La-La For You" or brother Teenie Hodges' understated guitar riffs on "It Ain't No Fun To Me." Throw in a brassy horn section and lush string arrangements, and you have a perfectly balanced slice of soul. Some consider Al Green to be the greatest soul singer who ever lived. LET'S STAY TOGETHER, a purely joyful listen from beginning to end, makes a very good case.
Prior to this album, Al Green never had a number one song. The title track, "Let's Stay Together," achieved that status and held it for nine consecutive weeks. Green's ingenuity produced one of the all-time classics, which has the bounce of a dance cut and the passion of a ballad. The dynamic soul singer's whispers, animated cries, and riffing enhance his already stirring delivery. This albumRolling Stone (3/30/72, p.50) - "...Green's voice is something to marvel at. He can croon, shout, scat, rise to the smoothest falsetto, and throw in the funkiest growls....LET'S STAY TOGETHER is, like its predecessor, an indispensable treat..."
Q (p.121) - "[H]is cover of the Bee Gees' 'How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?' took the soul ballad to new levels of artistry and refinement."
Q (5/00, p.135) - Included in Q Magazine's "Best Soul Albums Of All Time"
Q (10/99, p.150) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...shows him as the authentic voice of love's pain and purity on such wonders as 'How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?'..."
Pitchfork (Website) - "[N]obody else had Green's virtuosity or interpretive gifts. He could articulate unbelievably delicate shades of feeling with his voice alone..."