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Al Green

Al Green

Hear Al Green's First New Recording In Nearly A Decade

Al Green in studio recording "Until the Next Teardrop Falls" Erika Goldring hide caption

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Erika Goldring

All Songs Considered

Hear Al Green's First New Recording In Nearly A Decade

The legendary singer returns with a version of the Freddy Fender country weeper "Before the Next Teardrop Falls."

01Before The Next Teardrop Falls

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Royal Studio On World Cafe

The late Willie Mitchell of Royal Studio in Memphis. Courtesy of Royal Studio hide caption

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Courtesy of Royal Studio

World Cafe

Royal Studio On World Cafe

XPN

Some of the best soul music of the 1970s was recorded at Royal Studio in Memphis. Hear interviews with Al Green, Cody ChesnuTT and the son of Royal producer Willie Mitchell.

Royal Studio On World Cafe

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Review

Music Reviews

Can Al Green Lay It Down Again?

For Lay It Down, Al Green collaborated with hip-hop artists such as The Roots drummer ?uestlove. The album may be closer to the retro-soul Green helped inspire than to the originator's best work, but that's not entirely bad.

Can Al Green Lay It Down Again?

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Music Interviews

Soul Singer Al Green's Still Got It

After all of his hits, Al Green is taking his six-decade career in new directions. NPR's Tony Cox talks with the R&B legend about his new album, Lay It Down. This time, he worked with artists like Questlove, the drummer for the hip hop band The Roots.

Soul Singer Al Green's Still Got It

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Review

Music Reviews

In a Soulful Return, Al Green Lays It Down

Lizzy Goodman from Blender magazine discusses the week's new album releases, including a spectacular soul record from Al Green. Also discussed: new discs from Usher, Spiritualized, Cyndi Lauper and more.

In a Soulful Return, Al Green Lays It Down

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Music

Musical Legend Al Green

Fresh Air

The R&B star has a new album of secular songs called I Can't Stop. In the '70s, Green was born again. His 2000 biography called Down by the River detailed the trip from R&B stardom to reverend. Green's hits include "Let's Stay Together," "Tired of Being Alone" and "Here I am (Come and Take Me)."

Musical Legend Al Green

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Music Interviews

Al Green Returns to Secular Music Roots

For decades, the Rev. Al Green has been singing gospel songs and preaching in Memphis, Tenn. Now, he's returned to the soul sound that made him a household name in the 1970s. The singer has just released his first secular album in more than 20 years. Music journalist Ashley Kahn reports.

Al Green Returns to Secular Music Roots

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Review

Music Reviews

Music Review: 'I Can't Stop' from Al Green

Singer Al Green has a new album of songs out, called I Can't Stop. The material is Green's return to his soulful sound of the 1970s, after spending more than two decades concentrating on gospel music. Critic Tom Moon has a review.

Music Review: 'I Can't Stop' from Al Green

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World Cafe Looks Back: The Sound Of Memphis

Al Green performs during the 2009 Essence Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

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Sean Gardner/Getty Images

World Cafe

World Cafe Looks Back: The Sound Of Memphis

XPN

Celebrate the Tennessee swagger with sessions by Booker T, Al Green, Isaac Hayes and Steve Cropper.

World Cafe Looks Back: The Sound Of Memphis

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World Cafe

Al Green's Return

XPN

Al Green is one of the world's greatest singers. Stopping by the World Cafe, he talks about his life and music, together with the story of how he met the legendary producer Willie Mitchell. And of course, Green sings — even a capella.

Al Green's Return

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Music

The Reverend Al Green

Guest: The Reverend Al Green Pastor, Full Gospel Tabernacle, Memphis, Tennessee Author Take Me To the River (Harper Collins, 2000) Singer, songwriter and 9 time Grammy Award winner Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, 1995 Al Green is unquestionably a success story. He started as the son of an Arkansas sharecropper and went on to become one of the greatest soul singers in American music. Al Green has sold more than 40 million records and won nine Grammy Awards and in 1995, he was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame. He's also the author of a new autobiography Take Me To the River. Join Juan Williams for a conversation with the Reverend Al Green.

The Reverend Al Green

Only Available in Archive Formats.
'Let's Stay Together'

Al Green, from the cover of his Greatest Hits album, first released in 1975. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

The NPR 100

'Let's Stay Together'

Al Green showed a different side of soul on his 1971 hit. Hear the story of the legendary song.

'Let's Stay Together'

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