Al Green Gets Next to You

hmm, i think Let's Stay Together is what came immediately before ISILWY -- and only mention that because I think what came before and after (Call Me) are two perfect records, to echo Halfway's sentiment in the previous poll thread

however, really enjoyed revisiting that one, and looking forward to revisiting this one. when he's good, it's a totally thrilling experience

I will be the most predictable vote in most of these (except maybe Call Me). Translation: Greatest Hits far and away my favourite. Anyway, "Tired of Being Alone."

I have to vote for I'm a Ram I think. As perfect an ode to male sexuality as I can think of. That minor key guitar riff between chorus and the next verse is almost metal? Al's ad libbing near the end is perfect.

I adore God Is Standing By

Light My Fire is sexy af. "I can see us walking in the park doing something mighty good in the dark" (attn Alfred)

clemenza what do you like about "tired of being alone"?

Just love it--explaining why is hard...The chorus for sure. I'm totally the pop/sweet side of Al Green, like him less the bluesier he gets.

the doors cover here is pretty awesome/weird, but my instinct before listening is that i will have to go with "Tired of Being Alone"

Gotcha, yes I love that chorus too, it sends me.

totally. i've been listening to that song since i was a little kid, i'm not even sure if i could explain what it is, but as you say, it just sends me!

I'm most thrilled by Al Green when he's melding God's love with carnal love. There are some attempts here but he's still finding his footing. Call Me of course is the apotheosis of that.

xp yeah i have to try to sing along with it whenever it plays, but damn that's high!

i do think he's at his best when there's a balance of restraint and fire, push and pull, quiet falsetto here and blaring horns there. and willie mitchell, thank god, was such a genius at horn arrangements. i was never a huge fan of the brash stax horn sound -- WM really knows how to punctuate and sprinkle it in for maximum effect without fatiguing your ear too much

when he's melding God's love with carnal love

totally! i mean, "Give me that old time ... lovin"?? haha

Mandatory Posting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bffrijHDPlE

hahaha omg YES. man that outfit. fuck he was handsome.

LOL never seen that footage before! As for this poll, I'm going to be predictable again and vote for "Tired of Being Alone", it's just too good not to.

He and Willie Mitchell hadn't yet perfected their sound; the arrangements are loosy-goosier than they would be again.

To break the (deserved) monotony, let me praise "I'm a Ram."

When I was a teenager and heard “Tired of Being Alone” for the first time it was the best thing I ever heard and I couldn’t stop playing it. I love how everything that isn’t the chorus feels kind of disorganized, like the pieces don’t fit, verses don’t really have the same melody as each other, classic Green vamping and ad-libbing… And then the chorus rises up each time like a golden tower emerging from the ocean, with just the sweetest, warmest, most wistful earworm melody imaginable.

Then 15 or 20 years later I heard “I’m a Ram” for the first time and THAT was the best thing I ever heard. The classic Al Green smoothness perfectly meshed with an insatiable JBs-like groove? yes please.

Voted “I’m a Ram”

I had first heard "I'm A Ram" as cover fodder for a number of local-ish Blues bands (and, er, Big Sugar), so I was a little surprised to discover some time later that it was an Al Green song.

Speaking of Blues, the version of "Driving Wheel" on here smokes.

aw yeah gotta listen

https://i.discogs.com/aJTssT4hF5fKtLW3yV4gU5Bl1gyscu6yTOqFMd61mqA/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTE0MzEz/MDEtMTY1OTk3OTk1/OC00Njc0LmpwZWc.jpeg

"title track" is pretty much unstoppable but I will listen with an open mind

This is probably "Tired" for me but looking forward to a proper relisten over the next couple of days, don't have this one as fresh in my head as some of the other albums

"Tired of Being Alone" is masterful just for that key change (AHHHHHH BAYBAH).

Roy Buchanan did a great version of “I’m a Ram”

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

"I Can't Get Next to You" is one of the greatest Motown covers EVER, a rare case where I actually prefer it over the original (which itself is awesome).

This was good but a warm-up lap. Tired by a comfortable margin

(xp) Oh yes, definitely.

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

Al talks about writing and releasing "Tired of Being Alone" at 3:09 here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWj_pcUjIkA

looks like you have to click through but well worth it

<3

he's still goddamn handsome there