Lay It Down : Al Green : Review : Rolling Stone

Al Green surrounds himself on his new album with younger stars, including John Legend, Corinne Bailey Rae and the Roots' ?uestlove. It's retribution in action: For years, the neosoul brigade has been copping the Rev. Al's sound — the plush, subtly psychedelic Memphis soul that Green perfected three decades ago on his sparkling Hi Records albums — so a little payback is only fair. Of course, there's no replicating Green's heaven-sent voice. On slow-jams like "Too Much," Green's instrument is in remarkable fettle, gliding from burly lower-register growls to an ethereal falsetto. Lay It Down sticks to the classic Seventies template: slow-boiling ballads, awash in strings and brass, with Green cooing oaths of fidelity and hinting at more immediate satisfactions. (The Green-Rae duet "Take Your Time" is the album's supreme booty-call-music moment.) The supporting cast replicates the vintage stylings a touch too meticulously, and Green's singing lacks the turbulence that animated his old masterpieces. But it's hard to find fault with songs like the electrifying title track, where Green whoops, "I want to love you more and more and more!" — a prayer equally fit for the altar or the boudoir.

JODY ROSEN

(Posted: May 29, 2008)

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5of 5 Stars

OK I won't beat around the bush. Lay It Down is one of the most authentic R&B Soul CD's to come out in 30 years. Now before you argue, I need to say that I grew up playing trumpet in R&B bands all around the Chitllin Circuit in Georgia, Alabama, and the deep south in the late 60's and 70's. I know authentic R&B even when played by young folks like ?uest Love and friends. This is the real deal. The title cut is a classic, "Just for me" is a classic... "All I need" is a REAL classic. This whole album is a classic. Now if you're younger than 40 and never been in a Southern Chittlin joint with smoke, beer, brown baggin and hot women hollering "Yeah Baby" take it from me BUY THIS CD, put it on, close your eyes and go back in time to the REAL R&B/SOUL era. I would say get a bottle of Bourbon or Scotch and go there. (I don't drink anymore.. but when I did... this music and a bottle of booze would be it) I emailed most of my friends the first time I listened to the CD "LAY IT DOWN" all the way through. I told them that "This is the music of my youth." The break down in "No One Like You" at the end... man it's real. I opened for AL GREEN in 1971 in Atlanta, I've shared the stage with Tyrone Davis, Jerry Butler, Gorgeous George, Johnnie Taylor, Candi Staton, The Moments, and many many more... this is the stuff I learned to play music on... If you tell people you like SOUL music then this CD is as real as any Aretha Franklin or James Brown.
Now I want to say again that I feel uniquely qualified to call this CD authentic. I'm in my mid-fifties. I have a degree in music and several Gold records. I first recorded as a horn player in 1970 and have made R&B records, had hit Funk records, Disco records, Hip Hop records and now Jazz records.
So when I read the publicity on this CD and purchased via download.. the first note took me back to 1969 when I played my first professional gig as a backup horn man in Georgia playing this kind of R&B... I will share that I'm probably excited because I thought the music of this era was lost for good. ?uest Love of the Roots has earned my respect for life. I've always been a fan of the Roots but man this is unbelievable... it's so true to the 60's with 2008 technology. Oh by the way AL GREEN is singing his butt off... I could write a review on how he brings it home but it's the entire production that knocked me out.. the guitars, the horns, the background vocals, the classic Al Green / Willie Mitchell Organ Sound - the whole CD is the REAL DEAL..... PERIOD! If you were ever going to buy a SOUL CD or R&B CD this is the one...

Jul 21, 2008 12:50:43

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