One of the absolutely most astonishing church services I ever attended was at the Rev. Al Green’s Full Gospel Tabernacle, just down the road from Graceland in Memphis. And yes, that’s the same Al Green -- the soul superstar who released “Let’s Stay Together,” “Tired of Being Alone,” “Call Me,” “Take Me to the River” and so many other soul music classics.
After a long career in pop music, Green switched to contemporary gospel music for a time, beginning with the Grammy-winning The Lord Will Make a Way. Still recording with members of the wonderful house band at HI Records in Memphis, Green would record several more fine gospel albums before returning to pop music.
One of my favorites is his version of “People Get Ready” with R&B legend Laura Lee. The band simmers and cooks in a slow burn for six and a half minutes as the Rev. Al conjures up a smooth and slinky groove.
MUSIC: “People Get Ready,” Rev. Al Green, Higher Plane, LP, Side 1, Track 2
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU, the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries and is funded by generous support from the Prichard Foundation.