| | Al Green Let's Stay Together CD Al Green Discography of CDs
 (2 Customer Reviews)
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 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. [Let's Stay Together was reissued in 2003 with bonus tracks.] ~ Craig Lytle
W/ 2 Bonus Tracks.
Liner Note Author: Colin Escott.
Unknown Contributor Role: Al Green .
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.
Rolling 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..." Let's Stay Together Music Al Green Let's Stay Together Songs | 1. | Let's Stay Together |
| 2. | La-La for You |
| 3. | So You're Leaving |
| 4. | What Is This Feeling? |
| 5. | Old Time Lovin' |
| 6. | I've Never Found a Girl (Who Loves Me Like You Do) |
| 7. | How Can You Mend a Broken Heart? |
| 8. | Judy |
| 9. | It Ain't No Fun to Me |
| 10. | Eli's Game - (bonus track) |
| 11. | Listen - (bonus track) |
|
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