Al Green Everything's Ok CD

When R&B kingpin Al Green abandoned the secular world for gospel music, it seemed he'd left his old world behind forever. Indeed, Green became Reverend of his own church and recorded nothing but spiritual material for decades. However, the 21st century saw a turnaround in his career, and EVERYTHING'S OK marked the second installment in Green's return to form, creating a pair of records where Green was reunited with Willie Mitchell, producer of his classic 1970s albums, on strictly secular material.

Like its predecessor, EVERYTHING'S OK is virtually indistinguishable from the essential records Green made for the Hi label some 30 years prior. Indeed, some of the same session musicians even returned to the fold. The punchy horns, syncopated rhythms, lush organ, cooing harmony vocals, and terse guitar lines are all present and accounted for. Most impressive, of course, is the fact that Green himself is still capable of going from a feline purr to a feral growl at the drop of a hat, his one-of-a-kind voice sounding as strong as ever, and ultimately delivering on the promise of the album's title.

Recording information: Willie Mitchell's Royal Studios, Memphis, TN (06/07/2004-09/08/2004).

Photographer: Clay Patrick McBridge.

Arrangers: Willie Mitchell; Al Green .

Personnel: Al Green (vocals, background vocals); Al Green ; Charles Pitts, Buddy Manuel, Bobby Manuel (guitar); Liza Zurlinden, Gregory J. Morris, Joan Gilbert, Daniel Gilbert (violin); Anthony Gilbert, Beth Luscombe (viola); Peter Spurbeck, Jonathan Lirkscey (cello); New Memphis Strings (strings); Lannie McMIllian (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Andrew Love (tenor saxophone); Jim Spake (baritone saxophone); Scott Thompson (trumpet); Jack Hale (trombone); Bill Florez (bass trombone); Robert Claybourne, Robert Clayborne (organ); Leroy Hodges (bass instrument); Hector Diaz (congas, percussion); Archie Mitchell, Jason Hohenberg (percussion); Donna Rhoden, Donna Rhodes (background vocals); Bobby Rush (harmonica); Lester Snell (piano); Steve Potts (drums, percussion); Sandra Rhodes, Charles Chalmers (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Willie Mitchell; Lawrence Mitchell; Archie Mitchell; Jason Hohenberg.

Rolling Stone (pp.76-7) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[EVERYTHING'S OK is] one more righteous, red-hot reason to treasure this surviving genius of soul."
Rolling Stone (p.68) - "[M]ore sweet soul..."
Uncut (p.97) - 3 stars out of 5 - ""Real Love,' a vocal fantasia of sighs, rasps and screams is as deep as soul gets."
JazzTimes (p.118) - "[A]ll the trademarks are here: the funkified self-awareness; the percolated joy; the romantic satisfaction that doubles as religious devotion...and the fulfilled longing, shot through with glowering sexual energy."
Vibe (p.168) - 4 discs out of 5 - "Green puts a touch of class on EVERTHING'S, which is way, way better than just 'OK.'"
Living Blues (p.44) - "Lush strings, saxophones and piano notes weave in and out of the mix....On the jubilant 'I Can Make Music,' Green pulls out all the stops backed by an entire roomful of musicians..."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.63) - Ranked #36 in Mojo's "The 50 Best Albums Of 2005" - "[A]n undiminished vocal capable of delicate caresses and passionate, wild fire."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.100) - 3 stars out of 5 - "Green sounds in his element, his voice alternately rocketing and raving as a veritable wall of sound..."