Definitive Greatest Hits

Al Green | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 16, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000KP62H0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,570 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #7 in Music > R&B > Soul > Memphis Soul
  • #93 in Music > R&B > Soul > General AAS

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

One of the must-own soul albums, Greatest Hits is fattened with extra tracks in this reissue for a total of 21 songs. Al Green brought the Memphis Sound into the '70s by slightly softening it, melding smooth funkiness with his miraculous voice and innate sensitivity: his love songs, while perfect for the bedroom, are as conversational as they are blatantly seductive. By adding the likes of "Belle," a 1977 single that's a near-goodbye to the pop life, to the original lineup of "Let's Stay Together," "Look What You Done for Me," "Call Me," and the others, this edition of Greatest Hits also intriguingly fills out the story. --Rickey Wright

Al Green Photos

More Al Green

Let's Stay Together

I'm Still in Love With You

Call Me

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Romantic Ballads Abound., October 25, 2007

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SUPPORT THE ASPCA. "PILUM THROWER!" (?????) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Definitive Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

Mr. Green has a sensual style that seems to be sadly missing in much of todays music. His voice blends well with romantic ballads. "Lets Stay Together," was one of the best songs of the 1970's. "Take Me By The Hand, & Lay Your Head On My Pillow," also have their own distinctive appeal depending on ones mood. These songs have a smooth pleasant feel of a less hurried era, when you need a lift stop here & listen.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long overdue anthology of one of the great artists of the 1970's., February 19, 2007

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Paul Tognetti "The real world is so much more... (Cranston, RI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Definitive Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

As decades go the 1970's was never among my favorites. I have always felt that save for a handful of artists the music of that decade left an awful lot to be desired. For about three and a half years in the early part of that decade, Al Green and his producer Willie Mitchell collaborated on some of the finest and most memorable soul records ever made. Finally, Capitol records has seen fit to do justice to the music of this extremely important American artist. "Al Green: The Definitive Greatest Hits" features 21 of the finest recordings spanning Al Green's entire career. By any standard this disc truly should be considered essential to any serious collection of American popular music.

What seperates "Al Green: The Definite Greatest Hits" from previous anthologies is that it offers selections spanning the entire length and breadth of Al Green's remarkable recording career. Of course this disc includes all 7 of Al's Top Ten tunes from the early 70's including "Look What You Done For Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", the #1 smash "Let's Stay Together" as well as my personal favorite "You Ought To Be With Me" from 1972. Add to these other great hits like "L-O-V-E (Love)", "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)" and Al's first big Hi records hit "Tired of Being Alone" and you will quickly understand why Al Green is such an important American recording artist. One of the things that really impressed me about this collection is that Capitol chose to include Al Green's very first chart record from 1967. At that time, his name was Al Greene. His backup group was the Soul Mates. Al released "Back Up Train" on his own label and you can clearly hear why Al Green was destined to become a major star. In 1976, Al Green decided he wanted to pursue a career in gospel music. This change in musical direction would cause Al and his long-time producer Willie Mitchell to part company. His final charted record at Hi would be a tune called "Belle". The gospel influence on this tune is quite apparent. I had never heard it before and I must tell you that I absolutely loved it. Shortly thereafter, Al Green would leave the music business altogether to become a full-time minister in Memphis. In 2002, Al Green and Willie Mitchell decided that they wanted to make music together again. They would record in the very same studio in Memphis where they had made magic and history in the early 1970's. As an added treat, Capitol has chosen to add a pair of these new tunes to this collection. As you will see, Al Green has not lost it one little bit!

"Al Green: The Definitive Greatest Hits" includes a thoughtful 12 page booket that features some marvelous photos and very informative biographical information. I had completely forgotten that Al Green had a hand in writing virtually all of his hit singles! His was Southern Soul at it's absolute best! It is also worth mentioning that the remastering job is first rate. As I recall, the fidelity on those old Hi 45's was never the best. So whether you are a life-long fan or a younger person just interested in sampling this music then "The Definitive Greatest Hits" would certainly be a great choice. Highly recommended!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even more Al than last time!, February 3, 2007

By 

kevin m antonio (rumford, ri United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Definitive Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

Let's see... when last we left off in 1995, 'Al Green's Greatest Hits' had the original album plus 5 extra tracks for a total of 15. Apparently that wasn't enough... and it wasn't! No "Take Me to the River".
Well this time round they got it right. Now we get that song plus 5 MORE songs for good measure.
So, if you're like me, you need the upgrade. If this is your first exposure to Al Green, this has everything you'd ever want or need by the man.
Now the only thing I have to get used to is a different track order...