Everything's OK

by Al Green

Product Description:

Personnel include: Al Green (vocals); Buddy Manuel (guitar); New Memphis Strings (strings); Bobby Rush (harmonica); Lester Snell (piano); Robert Clayborne (organ); Leroy Hodges (bass instrument); Steve Potts (drums, percussion); Sandra Rhodes, Donna Rhodes, Charlie Chalmers (background vocals).

Recording information: Willie Mitchell'sRoyal Studios, Memphis, TN (2004).

When R&B kingpin Al Green abandoned the secular world for gospel music, it seemed he'd left his old world behind forever. Indeed, Green became Reverend of his own church and recorded nothing but spiritual material for decades. However, the 21st century saw a turnaround in his career, and EVERYTHING'S OK marked the second installment in Green's return to form, creating a pair of records where Green was reunited with Willie Mitchell, producer of his classic 1970s albums, on strictly secular material.

Like its predecessor, EVERYTHING'S OK is virtually indistinguishable from the essential records Green made for the Hi label some 30 years prior. Indeed, some of the same session musicians even returned to the fold. The punchy horns, syncopated rhythms, lush organ, cooing harmony vocals, and terse guitar lines are all present and accounted for. Most impressive, of course, is the fact that Green himself is still capable of going from a feline purr to a feral growl at the drop of a hat, his one-of-a-kind voice sounding as strong as ever, and ultimately delivering on the promise of the album's title.