Legendary soul singer Al Green (shown headlining at Carnegie Hall in New York last year) jokes that more than 4 million babies have been conceived to his love songs.
(Jack Vartoogian/Front Row Photos)
G FORCE | AL GREEN
Keeping it together
Legendary soul singer Al Green (shown headlining at Carnegie Hall in New York last year) jokes that more than 4 million babies have been conceived to his love songs.
(Jack Vartoogian/Front Row Photos)
A chat with soul legend Al Green starts like any other interview, but soon enough the good reverend gets excited and suddenly the conversation jumps the tracks.
He sings to you, bits and pieces of “Let’s Stay Together’’ and “Tired of Being Alone,’’ both cornerstones of ’70s R&B.
He remembers his early years (before he became an ordained pastor, of course) as a time when “I had more girls follow me back to the hotel than the bar had in it.’’
He jokes about how many babies were probably conceived to his songs (more than 4 million, by Green’s own humorous estimate).
It’s hard to follow his train of thought, and he rarely answers a question outright, but it’s one of the most thrilling trips you can take as a music critic. And hey, when Al Green serenades you, you shut up and listen.
We caught up with Green last week ahead of his latest victory lap for last year’s “Lay It Down.’’ The acclaimed album, featuring collaborations with younger artists who grew up idolizing Green, has put him back in the spotlight and on the road, including a stop at the House of Blues on Thursday. (Tickets are $49-$59 at www.ticket master.com or 800-745-3000.)
Q. I imagine this new album is getting a lot of new faces out to your shows. What do you want folks to take away from seeing you for the first time?
A. I would like for them to take away everything. This guy is tried and tested. I mean, come on! I played Paris and it was sold out, and this little Jewish couple got up on the stage at the Olympia and said, “We paid $265, and we want to dance.’’ So we did “Let’s Stay Together.’’ And I guess that kind of depicts what the music means to people.
Q. When did you realize that people felt such a strong connection with your music?
A. Well, they know every word. The other day I messed up and hit the wrong note in Seattle, and some little lady at the front said, “That ain’t right, Al. Come on, sing the song right!’’ And I had to go [he hits a high note], and she said, “Yeah, now that’s better.’’ They want to hear what they know. They don’t want you to sing it any other way than what’s on the record.
Q. Were you surprised by the success of “Lay It Down’’?
A. My God, yeah. What a rabbit out of the hat. All of these people that came in - Anthony Hamilton, John Legend, Corinne Bailey Rae - they are the people we didn’t have on the list [of guest musicians]. Things just work out like that.
Q. A lot of people have described the new album as a classic Al Green record. What does that even mean, “classic Al Green’’?
A. When you put that thing on, it’s kind of like [he sings “Lay It Down’’] - it draws you in [sighs]. I’m sorry, James, I took over your interview. I wish all interviews could go like this.
Q. Me, too.
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