Al Green – Livin' For You

LIVIN' FOR YOU is a strong follow-up to CALL ME, considered by many to be Al Green's best album. Highlights include "Let's Get Married", "Home Again", "Unchained Melody" and the remarkable closing track, "Beware". This pressing sounds good, with plenty of oomph to the percussion and horns, and a vivid soundstage. My copy plays nice and clean, there's a skip at some point on side one, but otherwise there's just some light surface noise at times.

I have the Shelley pressing, however, my runout is etched for A: SLH664 -XSHELLEY MHC; for B: SLH665 -XSHELLEY MHC. Anyone else?

Exemplified by 1973's "Livin' For You", Al Green's string of classic mid-1970s releases constitutes a simply staggering accomplishment. With the possible exception of Stevie Wonder its hard to think of another artist who managed to churn out such a volume of quality material in such a compressed timeframe.  Again produced by Willie Mitchell, exemplified by originals like the title track, 'Home Again' and the slinky 'So Good To be Here' this time out Green seemed in a more relaxed mood, turning in some of his most beguiling ballads. Some critics have slammed the LP for sinking into 'sound alike' realm, but I'd heartily disagree. Sure Green's parented sound was instantly recognizable, but the man continued to surprise with subtle changes and occasional slice of funk, including the mesmerizing 'Free At Last' and 'Sweet Sixteen'. The other highlight was an extended live take off 'Beware'. Simply killer. The album wasn't perfect. Green's doubled tracked cover of the chestnut 'Unchained Melody' was interesting - better than 99% of the covers, but still couldn't match his original material. Perhaps not his creative zenith, but I'll tell you this one has slowly grown into one my favorite Green albums.

"Al Green Liviin' For You" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Livin' For You (Al Green - Willie Mitchell) - 3:09 rating: **** stars
Majestic horns, some of Green's most forlorn vocals (double tracked in places), and a refrain that was infections, made the title track a classic Green effort. Shame it wasn't longer. He was performing with one arm in a cast, but YouTube has a stunning, extended, 1974 Soul Train performance at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=235pwiLnMs0 The song was tapped as the album's leadoff single:
- 1973's 'Living' For You' b/w 'It AIi't No Fun for Me' (Hi catalog number 45-2257) # 19 pop
2.) Home Again (Al Green) - 3:56 rating: **** stars
Amazing, how even Green's "also-ran" tunes were so good. In this case, what started out as a wistful ballad slowly but steadily transitioned into a pounding soul number. Again, the tune would have been even better if an extended version has been included on the album.
3.) Free At Last (Al Green) - 3:26 rating: **** stars
Not sure what else there is to say about this slinky ballad other than it constituted CLASSIC AL GREEN. Always loved the gritty edge Green brought to his performance on this one and Tennie Hodges' guitar was too-die-for good. Should have been released as a single. Not sure when, or where it was recorded, but YouTube has a clip of the Reverend Al Green giving the song a distinctive Gospel edge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x41Ar9aIK6o 
4.) Let's Get Married (Al Green) - 5:28 rating: **** stars
Geez, how many classic tunes can you pack on an album? Loved Tennie Hodges' little guitar figure on this one. Always wondered how autobiographical this one was ... Another single:
- 1973's 'Let's Get Married' b/w 'So Good To Be Here' (Hi catalog number 45-2262) Taken by someone in the audience, this August 2010 video clip isn't the greatest in of quality, but it's good enough and interesting to see Green still includes the tune in his touring repertoire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq6by5OiWlM 
5.) So Good To Be Here (Al Green - M. Allen) - 2:40  rating: *** stars
How did the man come up with so many world class tunes with such an easy-going, sweet groove ?

(side 2)
1.) Sweet Sixteen (Al Green - Willie Mitchell) - 3:26 rating: **** stars
The opening strings were a bit of an irritation, but then the horns kicked in, followed by one of Green's slinkiest vocals. Geez, this one was so sexy, he could have been arrested for singing it live. Doubt that comment ? Check out this 1974 performance on Soul Train: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONATlJ0pvUg  
2.) Unchained Melody (A. North - H. Zaret) - 5:33 rating: *** stars
Slowing it down and giving it the patented Hi arrangement yielded a nice enough cover of this classic, but, as good as it was, I'm not sure why you would want to hear this one over the Righteous Brothers classic version. I will it the double tracked vocals were mesmerizing.
3.) My God Is Real (K. Morris) - 2:43 rating: *** stars
While it's never been a favorite, 'My Good Is Real' was an interesting precursor of the directions Green would take in his personal and professional life.  
4.) Beware (Al Green) - 8:12
One of Green's sweetest performances. And as good as 'Beware' was, the stars on this were The Hodges - Charles on organ, Leroy on bass (check out his solo), and Tennie on guitar