Al Green is a rare kind of genius: how many other musicians have had four great decades of music by doing basically the same thing? In the last few years, we've heard some pretty surprising experiments from other 60+ icons such as Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, and so on. Not Al though. He knows his sound is distinctive, perfect, and miles above anything R&B has done in the past 30 years (80s Prince albums notwithstanding).
His new album sticks to the formula, and the result is a beautiful, mostly unsurprising listen. The title track is a smooth, building gospel hymn where the trademark horns augment the last minute. The album ends with a pop clap-along gem called "Stand N The Rain" - ending the album this way makes you think he has another decade left in him.
Not a lot of surprises here, but a pleasing, feel-good summer record. If you don't have any Al Green, start with his two early 70s masterpieces Call Me and I'm Still In Love With You. This album won't shock you, but it doesn't disappoint. It's just Al being Al.
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