Al Green News

Some of the world's biggest music stars reveal the records that changed their life

"I never understood guitar music until 'Girls & Boys' by Blur – and that led into a love for Oasis – though I did not get bands at all when I was growing up (my first record was Glenn Miller's Greatest Hits). I was into electro music, so I was cool at one point. And that was the point. And then my sister bought me Adam & the Ants' 'Prince Charming' but I have never listened to it. I could not understand it. It all changed with Oasis."

The world's biggest music stars reveal the records that changed their life

"I never understood guitar music until 'Girls & Boys' by Blur – and that led into a love for Oasis – though I did not get bands at all when I was growing up (my first record was Glenn Miller's Greatest Hits). I was into electro music, so I was cool at one point. And that was the point. And then my sister bought me Adam & the Ants' 'Prince Charming' but I have never listened to it. I could not understand it. It all changed with Oasis."

PURE X takeover: Al Green – “For the Good Times” (live on Soul Train)

Something Else! Interview: Toto’s David Paich

Toto has begun rehearsing for its 2013 tour , which begins on May 30 in Europe.

Marques Toliver - Land Of CanAan

In a world where most people struggle to make one lifelong target come true, he's capably frolicking with many: he's a magazine editor (for Love Is The Law), a model, a producer and a burgeoning soul legend.

Cover Me Q&A: What’s your favorite cover song?

Welcome to Cover Me Q&A, where we take your questions about cover songs and answer them to the best of our ability.

MY CANONBALL PICK: AL GREEN’S I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU

First of all…sorry for being gone for so long.

President Obama: Justin Timberlake, Sam Moore, Mavis Staples & More Help Celebrate Memphis Soul (VIDEO)

Memphis, Tenn., was segregated in the 1960s, but blacks and whites came together despite the institutional racism to create a soulful blend of gospel and rhythmic blues music that sought to "bridge those divides, to create a little harmony with harmony," Obama said.

President Obama: I'm an Al Green impersonator

Reverend Al Green had been scheduled to perform at the White House but, unfortunately, the 66-year-old had to pull out because of a back injury.

James Blake – Overgrown

It's hard to fathom James Blake 's meteoric rise.

‘Face Time: Babyface, “Whip Appeal”

Sure, the Man Who Would Be Babyface — Kenneth Edmonds — was born in 1959, but the singer, songwriter, producer, and all-around hit maker extraordinaire began taking baby steps up the Billboard charts the year Michael Jackson's Thriller dominated every chart.

Charles Bradley :: Victim Of Love

Look up soul in any dictionary: it means "strong positive feeling, as of intense sensitivity and emotional fervor."

Album Review: Charles Bradley – Victim of Love

If it's true that sophomore slumps happen because of the pressure produced by musicians getting their whole lives to write their first album and just one or two to put together the second, Victim of Love should have been a disaster.

The Popdose Guide to Chicago

After the cynical misfire of 1991's Twenty 1 and stillbirth of its intended followup, the lost and lamented Stone of Sisyphus , Chicago dove full-bore into the casinos-and-state-fairs circuit, and though they still pay lip service to the bona fide creativity that bought their homes and pays their alimonies, it evaporated long ago.

INTERVIEW: Cody ChesnuTT

In these end-of-album-days, the commodification of music has, if anything, drawn more attention to full-length releases than would have recently been bestowed upon them, an extra significance lent to them aside the knowledge that an album is a considerable commitment for a label and an artist to spend time upon.

Alicia Keys Spreads Love, Brings Kendrick Lamar Onstage in L.A.

"Are you in love tonight?" asked Alicia Keys of her sold-out Staples Center audience last night in Los Angeles, the fourth stop on her North American arena tour.

Something Else! Interview: Boz Scaggs on Memphis, the Dukes of September, and singing vs. playing

Since his career went supernova with Silk Degrees, Boz Scaggs has continued to hone his craft, digging deeper into the blues, employing broader jazz brushstrokes — and nowhere is that fine tuning more obvious than on his terrific new album.

Steely Dan Sunday, “Pearl Of The Quarter” by Boz Scaggs (2013)

Last week Boz Scaggs issued his first album since 2008′s Speak Low , another covers-dominant record, but as the name makes clear, Memphis is not a jazz crooner record like his prior two, but rather, a soul crooner record. (

Gary Clark Jr - Blak And Blu (Album Review)

Let's get one thing clear; Gary Clark Jr is not the saviour of the blues.

Boz Scaggs – Memphis (2013)

Boz Scaggs references some of the most distinctive, timeless R&B recordings of the 1970s, even as he continues exploring outward from that tradition on Memphis.

Live Video: Orgone

Ten-year old, eight-piece L.A. based soul/funk band Orgone has that perfect combination of tight refinement raw gut-punching power that is needed to become known, as they have, as one of the baddest funk bands around today.

STARTING A COLLECTION: PART 1

First off, I don't know why this never occurred to me sooner but I created a Tumblr-like "Ask Us Anything" page.

20 Love Songs We Never Want to Hear Again

It's kind of fitting that this song was a hit in 1986, the height of the greed-is-good, conspicuous consumption Eighties; it's the ultimate trophy-wife ballad (barely edging out Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight").

Where's Your Grammy? Henry Rollins, OK Go & More on Where Their Statues Are

Anyone with " Grammy -winning artist" in their bio is bound to have an edge.

Mike Ragogna: Conversations with José James, Otis Taylor, Erin Boheme and Renaiszance's Radha & Ravé Mehta, Plus an Unknown Component Video

José James, tell us a little something about yourself.

Al Green – ‘Love And Happiness’

Al Green is a man renowned for being sweet.

“A hedonistic, paeanistic night owl kind of thing”: Best Fit speaks to Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Two years or so is a long time in music, isn't it?

Soul Disciple Gedeon Luke Makes His Move

Gedeon Luke's debut EP, Perfect Ain't Perfect , strutted onto my " Best of 2012 " list after only a few spins — ironically enough sharing the bill with the original Disciples of Soul.

Al Green Turned Down Inauguration Gig

Al Green says if things had worked out, it would have been him serenading President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle at the inaugural ball.

The Summarily Dismissed – To Each (2012)

The legacy of Laura Nyro deserves more than to rely on original recordings or innumerable covers; a member of a newer generation to make new music in that old spirit is needed to keep her eccentric, intelligent brand of pop vital and alive.

Matthew E White – Big Inner

In the world of Virginian Matthew E White it's permanently the mid-1970s.

Elvis & Rock Royalty: Strange Stories of the King's Famous Fans Meeting Their Idol

After a 1976 gig in Memphis, Bruce Springsteen hopped a Graceland gate at 3AM, hoping to meet his idol, Elvis Presley.

Something Else! sneak peek: Darondo featuring The Park, “2012″ (2012)

William Pulliam, aka Darondo, was a soul and funk singer from the San Francisco Bay area who cut several sides in the early 70s, but only three singles were released.

Cody ChesnuTT Announces 2013 UK Live Dates & Tickets

Following his September show at Londons Jazz Café, soul troubadour Cody ChesnuTT has announced further UK live dates for Spring 2013.