Al Green: More Greatest Hits

Al Green's 1975 Greatest Hits has, over the years, gone on to become one of those rare things: a best-of album that's a classic in its own right. Of course, as possibly the finest single disc of 1970s soul ever assembled, it deserves the distinction. Unlike many soul artists of the '70s, however, Green was about more than singles. While you really can't go wrong picking up any of his albums from that decade, the new More Greatest Hits provides another fine overview of some of his best work. Pulling from all but Green's gospel period, the album concentrates on a good selection of also-rans from the early- to mid-'70s prime covered on the first volume. Highlights include a longer version of "Let's Stay Together," the much-covered "Take Me To The River," and a reworking The Bee Gees' "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart." Just as compelling are highlights from Green's late-'70s post-conversion—but more or less secular—material, including "I Feel Good" (which is not a remake of the more famous song of the same name) and "To Sir With Love" (which, oddly enough, is). More Greatest Hits wisely provides only a few samples from the latter portion of Green's career. Aside from a nice duet with Lyle Lovett, this material is relatively unimpressive. A mechanical collaboration with Al B. Sure! from 1989 illustrates why R&B almost seemed not to matter for a while, and 1995's "Your Heart's In Good Hands" only proves that nobody, least of all Al Green, should touch the material of unforgivable songwriter Diane Warren. Those two tracks aside, there's not a misstep on this fine collection.