Customer Reviews

Tokyo Live

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

to any serious fan of al green, LIVE- IN TOKYO is a must for the collection. it incorperates many of his greatest and most popular hits with extended versions of lesser known songs into one compact album, producing a "live" album that reflects al green at his very best. i own every al green cd, including the anthology, and LIVE- IN TOKYO is the one i find myself listening to over and over and over. if you are looking to expand your collection, i insist you seriously consider this one. if you are new to al green, LIVE- IN TOKYO is the only choice for you. you will NOT be let down!

If you want to hear someone with a great soulful voice then Mr. Green is your man. I have to admit that the sound was not that good but it is worth your money. If you are a true Al Green fan then this needs to be in your collection. His voice is amazing a must buy.

I have been an Al Green fan for a few years now and this one of my favorite albums of all time. When you hear this album you will understand why the music of Al Green is so beautiful. Each song is over flowing with such passion and tenderness. It is obvious why he was the winner of the Tokyo music festival. This album is a definite must for anyone that remotly considers themself an Al Green fan.

"Tokyo...Live!" is a consummate performance from an artist whose flawless execution is easy to take for granted. Your favorite handful of quotidian associations with Green's career all apply here: warm, effortless, effusive yet controlled, tasteful in ways we've long since forgone expecting from a vocalist, and, above all things and at all times, generous. This little-heard double-LP set touches upon a wide swath of Green's career up to 1978; the set opens with a string of hits ("Tired of Being Alone," "Let's Stay Together," "Belle") leading into a characteristically commanding mini-medley of two of the Righteous Brothers' best ("God Blessed Our Love," "Unchained Melody") to open the second half of the performance. As might be expected in `78, Green closes out his sets in Tokyo with some disco jams--"I Feel Good" clips along with the high-hat as Green's tenor bristles against the horn section.

While this is a recommended live document for anyone in the market for an account of Green's magnanimous on-stage personality, the set doesn't always hit its mark. The interaction between Green and the crowd is strained, and at worst, almost mawkish. Green evinces a strange habit of introducing a song stating "...and this is what it says"--he's most natural when singing the expected appreciative banter between songs. It also seems as if the crowd's applause is only being picked up by the stage microphones--the restraint is more polite than reverent (inappropriate!). There's a certain lack of spontaneity that doesn't vibe; one fan alone claps stridently when Green hits the first chorus of "God Blessed Our Love," accounting for the lion's share of Tokyo's enthusiasm that picked up on the boards that night. On a related note, Green's backup singers are undermixed, and the drummer's kit is miked cymbal and hi-hat heavy. The horns sit on top of the mix wonderfully, but I was anxious to hear one of the two guitarists cut through the brass and really contribute--call and response or some tasteful melodic leads. The mix might owe itself to the disco moment, but come on, Tokyo! This is Al Green in the flesh. Great live LPs bespeak of audience reception, and concert hall etiquette just ain't right for the Reverend.

Don't approach "Tokyo... Live!" with caution so much as DO consider what Green collection you're looking to build. I find myself accumulating armloads of studio LPs by force of Green's personality and charisma alone. If you find yourself with 76 minutes at a time to join this punctilious Japanese audience on occasion, you can't miss, but don't fool yourself into thinking this is heaven-sent. I, for one, need more than Green's steadfast brilliance to spur me to return to a live album when there are so many studio albums from this era to sink my teeth into.

If there is one Al Green album one must own THIS is it!

This was the first Al Green Album I ever bought, and though I have fallen in love with Al's singing, none of his albums have come close to this one! From the opening soul buster song "L.O.V.E." to the sweat stained screaming of the ballad "Belle" to the high smiles of "Love and Happiness"; this is the album to own.

I am a fan of all music from Heavy Metal to Gospel Blues, but if you are one who wants to laugh AND cry while listening to an album you MUST hear this album! If you are a singer, then you must hear this in order learn how to put soul in your voice. If you are a writer, then you must hear it to learn how to steal the emotions of an audience. If you are a musician then you must hear it in order to learn how to hit the groove during a performance.

CLASSIC!!

Great show, but in my opinion the Sound Engineering was bad. Al Green's voice is very low and the audience and the metal wind instruments are too loud.

The performance of "Belle" on this CD will make you start going to church again. Absolutely one of the most extraordinary vocal performances I have ever heard. Gives me goosebumps every time I hear the man proclaim his Love for the Lord as he explains it to his love, Belle.

The rest of the CD is fine as well. L-O-V-E (Love), Tired of Being Alone, Let's Stay Together, For the Good Times, all very fine. The sound is excellent throughout. I hesitate to give it 5-stars because some of the jams drag on a bit too long. Still, this is essential Al Green at a pivotal time in his career when he was transitioning from secular to gospel music. Highly recommended.

Al Green is magical. He draws you in on this CD but unfortunaly does not deliver. I kept waiting for the ride to start, it never did. This CD was like a day at the office for Al. It was just OK.

This album was very good, but I was looking for an Al Green album that have very long versions of "How do you mend a broken heart" & "For the good times" on it. Can anyone help me find that album.

If you could only have one album from the man that mends broken hearts this is the joint to have it incorperates many of his greatest and most popular hits with extended versions of lesser known songs into one compact album, producing a "live" album that reflects al green at his very best. As a child growing up my mom would play Al from sun up too sun down I couldn't stand the man lol. It just took me awhile to understand his messages of love in his songs. Al thank you for being their when my mom needed you!