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Lay It Down

Al Green - Lay It Down Audio CD

A fair review of the Al Green "Lay It Down" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Al Green reviews here, or go back to the Al Green tabs.

Band: Al Green
Title: Lay It Down
Rating:

Release Date: 2008-05-27
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Lay It Down (feat. Anthony Hamilton) 2: Just For Me 3: You've Got the Love I Need (feat. Anthony Hamilton) 4: No One Like You 5: What More Do You Want From Me 6: Take Your Time (feat. Corinne Bailey Rae) 7: Too Much 8: Stay With Me (By the Sea) (feat. John Legend) 9: All I Need 10: I'm Wild About You 11: Standing In the Rain

A Triumphant return to form!
THIS is one of the best contemporary soul discs there is out today, period. Forget all those $2 R&B stars, starlets and posers, like Trey Songz, The-Dream, Ashanti etc etc etc. And I'd go as far as say it equals some of Al Green's past greats as well. There are just so many good and delicious songs in here: "Lay It Down", "Standing In The Rain", "You've Got The Love I Need", "Just For Me". . .

It's also a true testament to how talented Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson and his producing partner James Poyser are. Not forgetting the main man, of course, whose voice hasn't changed (or aged) one bit.

Just a few uneven songs keep me from giving this a full 5 stars.

A Little Al Green Is All You Need
It appears everything is sort of level headed on that front so far in that department. Now this is definately one of those concepts that may invite the standard issue "this is REAL music" kind of reviews. But that isn't my point. I have a friend in California. We talk about music all the time and this is an album and an artist we come to frequenty. I've reviewed Al Green here before and will do so again,hopefully many times. So here I am going to put my two cents on this. Al Green is one of those people whose voice is so elastic and expressive that it actually merrits it's own sound. So much so that even though the Dap Kings as opposed to the HI rhythm section are the musicians on this. . . . . the song,as it were remains the same. ?uestlove,producer of this album understood that and a lot more going into this project because he's not only a fan of Al's but also understands the way in which he adapts his vocals into the band who are playing with him. Now I don't know for sure but on the title track alone I get the impression that Al is definately mic'd up,meaning that he's not being fed into the console. It's a technique he used a lot on his classic 70's recordings. But either way around it the appeal of this album is easy to think about for the most part but kind of hard for me to put into words. It just. . . . . . has the Al Green sound. Only the most talented ones have it. James Brown had a "sound". Prince has a "sound" and. . . so does Al. With him. . . . all the instrumentalists just fall into place EXACTLY where they should. Doesn't sound too deliberately natural,isn't trying to be ultra edgy. But Al's emotional,reflective vocal licks in place with the other musicians always know where they belong in each song. And big time kudos to ?uestlove for realizing that. After all updating Al with heavy modern techno/hip-hop considerations would just be a tremendous musical imbalance on every front. And besides when you hear songs like "I'm Wild About You","Standing In The Rain" and the wonderful "You've Got The Love I Need" those horns,basslines,organ and rhythm will flow right through you so well you'll be as much involved in the whole musical experience as Al is. True this album is not about making hits but rather presenting Al Green as a person with a distinctive "sweet funk" sound rather than a formula. Does he stick to it like glue the way. . (hey sorry I like him too) Van Morrison does now and again?Not on your LIFE! But Al,?uestlove,The Dap Kings,John Legend,Anthony Hamilton and everyone involved in this album bring out it's best qualities on all fronts.

In a soulful groove Laying It Down...Bravo Al!!!
Right off the top with "Lay It Down" it is clear Al Green found his groove in this new collection of soulful songs sung with passion & depth that is his trademark! "You've Got The Love I Need" flourishes with strings, choir and great guitar licks surrounding a smooth & prime vocal from the legendary singer blending fine with an inspired vocal from guest Anthony Hamilton and this winner has that hit sound but today radio only plays wannabes & not the real thing but great this stunner won a well-deserved Grammy Award anyway. . too bad though for the talent starved radio audience! Sublime love is celebrated in another new Green classic "No On Like You" and quality of this great voice is timeless & in addition to that great rangy voice, Al Green co-wrote most songs in this great set and continues to be prolific in this area as with writing credits for "I Can't Stop" and "Everything's OK" which were filled with great new songs that would have scored highly in better musical times than this bleek and musically bankrupt time zone! Bluesy and soulful duet "Take Your Time" with Corinne Bailey Rae is fine & engaging while the super-fine "Too Much" is smooth & soulful. "Stay With Me (By The Sea)" featuring John Legend is another soulful gem in a program where all songs are winners! Al Green is a timeless legendary giant who continues turning out sublime classic sets for all to savor and enjoy who love and embrace the finest music has to offer. . . Bravo Al Green!!! .

One of Green's best efforts
This is a solid album, reflective of some of Green's best early career work. It's a bit amusing to read that this is a "comeback" for Al Green, as if his past few secular albums have not existed. It is much better than the CD which preceded it, I Can't Stop, but it is not as good as his best album, 1995's Your Heart's In Good Hands. I can live without the guest artists, but at least they don't detract from Al's artistry.

Lay It Down, Let It Go, Fall In Love...With Al Green

In my opinion, he never left the stage. It's strange to hear people talk about Al's "come Back" with this compilation. This group of recordings is vintage
Al: smooth, seamless, timeless. He's the Master of Soul, and if you love the
Reverand's previous works, you'll not regret adding this one to your collection.
I simply can't take this disc out of my player. I'm purchasing it for two friends
who I know will be thrilled with it. Bravo Al! Keep Standing in the Rain!.

You can see a complete list of all Al Green discography, or go back to the Al Green tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.