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Al Green leaves audiences wanting more |
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Written by and photos by BARRY BRECHEISEN
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Thursday, 04 May 2006 |
Looking dapper in his black bow-tie, the '70s soul legend enters the stage with a smile from ear to ear and a handful of what turns out to be an endless supply of long-stem, red roses.
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Al Green
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 Entertainment
 Art
House of Blues
Rosemont, Ill.
March 31, 2006
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Opening with the title track off his 2003 comeback album “I Can't Stop,” the Reverend Al Green delivers it like he means every word of it. Opening strong by a man who will soon turn 60 in only a few short weeks made a point to prove not only is he still around but he can still hit the high notes. The Reverend is clearly happy in his own skin these days, and realizes that although his voice might come from the Lord above, it's the sexy grooves he created with Hi Records that the world wants to hear. Tonight it was clear we had that Al Green back, falsettos and all, backed by a conservative but tight back-up band, complete with horns.
His interpretation of “Amazing Grace” briefly transformed the House of Blues into a gospel celebration without being preachy. A solid rendition of “Let's Stay Together” was only the beginning of him laying down the hits we know oh so well. Determined to stay in top physical shape, the Reverend could often be seen taking orange Gatorade breaks in between tunes that only showed the dedication of the man that once walked away from it all. These days, with his hits-maker and collaborator Willie Mitchell again at the wheel, they are back delivering that signature sound they both created and are riding high with two critically acclaimed albums on the Blue Note label.
In the middle of the Bee Gee's classic “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” the Reverend proclaimed to the crowd, “I love you.” There are not many people who can interrupt a song and not only make you smile but make you believe it's genuine. That's the gift of Al Green and there are plenty of these moments. During “Here I Am” off of the amazing 1973 R&B masterpiece “Call Me,” the Reverend is so caught up into the groove his band is laying behind him he misses many of his marks. But you never feel cheated because you, too are enjoying every moment and how can you not with a voice that is still as strong as when that song was recorded?
Tonight is all about the songs and gone are any hints that his name now starts with the word Reverend; it is all about those wonderful, perhaps even “heavenly” songs that only Al Green can sing. Aside from the occasional unusual appearances of male dancers by his side, it was a perfect evening that ended way too short with the fans crying out for more. Closing the night with “Love And Happiness,” he turned the soul classic into a funk jam. The power of love, the power of soul and it's all about the power of Al Green. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
