na: al green! and others
Big day at eMusic, as classic albums from the Reverend Al Green hit the site. Do I even need to say how timeless and essential these are? Most people will go for the Greatest Hits, and I get that, but the full albums here are just as rich and rewarding.
We’ve assembled all of Al’s albums, curated by Green aficionado Andy Beta, into a hub here. If you ask me, though, your first stops should be — in order! — The Belle Album, then I’m Still in Love With You, then Let’s Stay Together. Then go hog wild on the rest.
And if classic soul is not to your taste (and I’m working hard to suspend judgment if that is the case), may we humbly recommend the following:
Maria Taylor, Ladyluck: Half of Azure Ray returns with a warm and stirring record of folk-pop. I love this record, honestly and truly. The songs practically gleam and the finale, “Cartoons and Forever Plans,” is a heartwarmer if ever I’ve heard one. Maybe too mainstream for some tastes, but this is one of my early faves of 09. But, then again, I’m kind of a wuss.
Gomez, A New Tide. Hey! It’s Gomez! eMusic’s Wayne Robins sez:
Eleven years since winning Britain’s prestigious Mercury Awards for their debut album Bring It On, Gomez surprises by not being surprising — and that’s a beautiful thing. The original quintet is still together (though they have dispersed from their spawning ground, a coastal town near Liverpool), still building songs that sound improvised until a sense of permanence is attained.
Great Lake Swimmers, Lost Channels: New one from Great Lake Swimmers, a band I do not know much about, but that I know people like. Anyone wanna jump in in the comments?
Any idea whether or not Cymbals Eat Guitars will be showing up here?
No idea, though I am a fan!
Dude, I am of the opinion that getting only the Greatest Hits is inexcusable. The Greatest Hits is the gateway drug, and if you stop there, I simply DO NOT UNDERSTAND YOUR MOTIVATIONS.
That’s all.
RE: Cymbals Eat Guitars. I hope it shows up, too. It’s fantastic.
Thank goodness for that, followed the link above and found that Al Green was not available in the UK!! Luckily for us it is if you search for Al Green, not going to be clearing my Saved list anytime in the next millenium now. Recommend the Gomez album, not got quite as many ‘hits’ as the 1st album but a nice solid easy listen none the less. Could hear it soundtracking many a lazy Sunday afternoon barbeque over the summer. eMus comes up trumps again – keep it up guys!
Jayson’s OTM. Classic-era Al Green discs are essential.
Also, there’s a bunch of good-looking new titles today from Yazoo Recordings and Shanachie Entertainment Records, if you like early 20th Century blues (I’m a huge fan).
This is great, thanks for pointing out Belle; I wasn’t sure about the later stuff but I think I’ll try.
Daniel; Not positive but I think all that Shanachie/Yazoo stuff was already here. For example, look at Augustus Pablo; Most of his Shanachie albums are now doubled.
the peter walker is great: link. the track “city pulse” is total velvets. so good.
Adamm: Yeah, I noticed that, too. I’m talking solely about the old-timey stuff (terrible term, I know). Some examples below:
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http://www.emusic.com/album/Various-Artists-Alabama-Blues-1927-1931-MP3-Download/11420913.html
http://www.emusic.com/album/Various-Artists-Down-In-Black-Bottom-Lowdown-Barrelhouse-Piano-MP3-Download/11420944.html
http://www.emusic.com/album/Various-Artists-The-Half-Ain-t-Never-Been-Told-Vol-1-MP3-Download/11420867.html
http://www.emusic.com/album/Various-Artists-I-Can-t-Be-Satisfied-Early-American-Blues-Singers-MP3-Download/11420782.html
http://www.emusic.com/album/Various-Artists-Times-Ain-t-Like-They-Used-To-Be-Vol-7-Early-Ame-MP3-Download/11420922.html
http://www.emusic.com/album/Various-Artists-The-Cornshucker-s-Frolic-Vol-1-Downhome-Music-An-MP3-Download/11420875.html
http://www.emusic.com/album/Various-Artists-Kentucky-Mountain-Music-Part-4-MP3-Download/11420931.html
http://www.emusic.com/album/Various-Artists-The-Rose-Grew-Round-The-Briar-Early-American-Rura-MP3-Download/11420879.html
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. . . Among others. Tip of the hat to eMusic subscriber Mutantis, who does an amazing job on the message boards of notifying everyone of new titles to hit the site every day.
Forgot to add: I hadn’t seen these titles on-site before. If there were already here, my apologies.
So what is the deal with Shanachie/Yazoo? It seems like they’re doing some sort of reboot. All that new stuff showed up but a lot of old things disappeared. I’m not sure but it seems there is a lot less Shanachie now, and there’s only 39 Yazoo titles – I’m sure there were more before. Any idea what’s up?
It’s a redelivery – not very interesting explanation, but it should all be back in place in no time.
Wow. Al Green. Wow.
I got “Let’s Stay Together” when I was about 15, and I loved it — but I don’t think I completely got it. Not at 15. Anyway, years later I got “The Immortal Soul of Al Green,” which is kind of the “Greatest Hits” on steroids. But even though it includes about half of “…Stay Together,” I know that most of the other half is just as awesome. I can only assume that’s true for the rest of the classic albums too, so I’ll be loading up, starting with the “Belle Album” — thanks, Joe!
Totally in love with The Belle Album.
Awesome! That’s my favorite Green album — spiritual and soulful at the same time.
I think Belle is the rock fan’s best entry-point into Al Green.