November 11 2009
Al Green to Play NZ for Very First Time
posted by Steven Shaw at 10:43 am
Just look at that grin. That beautiful smile is big enough to fill a theatre with love. Yes ladies and gentlemen, soul legend Al Green is coming to NZ. He will perform with his 12-piece band at the Civic Theatre in Auckland, January 21, 2010. So let me hear you say “Yeah!”
It’s the first time 63 year old Green has been to Australasia. He will be performing his secular hits, so the set will include songs like “Let’s Stay Together”, “Take Me To The River”, “Love and Happiness” and “Tired of Being Alone”.
Green has enjoyed a long career dating back to the late 1960s when he emerged as a solo artist influenced by artists like Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Sam Cooke. After landing big hits — “Let’s Stay Together” being the biggest of them in 1972 — he had a wake up call courtesy of an angry lover and some scalding hot grits. During his recovery he turned to religion and became ordained as a pastor. He stayed away from secular music for several years, instead turning out gospel albums. They were successful too — eight of his 11 Grammys were for his gospel albums.
After releasing collaborations with his old hit making producer Willie MitchellI Can’t Stop (2003) and Everything’s OK (2005), in 2008 he released Lay It Down. Produced by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of the The Roots and James Poyser (producer for Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Common, The Roots, Jill Scott and heaps more), it debuted on billboard’s pop chart at number 9 and garnered critical acclaim Go download it now if you haven’t already got it, it’s a classic.
Al Green still puts on an energetic show, playing it like the preacher that he is. To say he still has the chops is a total understatement, his live performance will be outstanding. Reviews from his recent tours through Europe and the USA are overflowing with accolades. So three words: Don’t. Miss. Out.
Al Green at the Civic Theatre, Auckland, January 21 2010. Tickets go on sale 18 November.
Video: Al Green sings “Let’s Stay Together” at the Apollo Theatre, 1993:
Video: Classic 1975 Soul Train clip of Al Green singing “L.O.V.E.”