Customer Rating:      Summary: al green lay it down Comment: if you are a fan this is essential the voice of an angel it seems either better or as i get older i appreciate a true classic soul voice buy this cd at any price
Customer Rating:      Summary: Still in the Groove Comment: Enjoyed this CD so much. His collaberation with different artists such as Corinne Bailey Ray, is wonderful. His mentoring of young artists like this is heartwarming. Al comes across throughout the whole CD as a joyful spirit. May he record many more.
Customer Rating:      Summary: The Great Comeback Comment: Al Green is back! If you are a true Green fan this cd will be a favorite. Buy this cd new, support brotha Al... You will not be dissapointed. This cd features 11 tracks, and all 11 tracks are classic... That's it and that's all..
Customer Rating:      Summary: Inspired and inspiring. Comment: For "Lay It Down", Green chose to work with The Roots' ?uestlove instead of longtime producer Willie Mitchell (who has worked with Green since 1970's "Green Is Blues") in an openly recognised bid to direct his classic soul sound towards the tastes of today's youth. But fear not - his collaborations with John Legend, Corrine Bailey Rae, and Anthony Hamilton do not dilute any of Green's majesty. In addition to these well-known collaborators, The Dap-Kings, currently known for their work with talented soul singer Sharon Jones, provide a wonderful backing for Green's impassioned singing
These days, 62-year-old Al Green combines his gospel preaching with recording, writing and touring his secular music.
Praise the Lord, soul's sweetest voice is on imperious form here, either on his own or alongside young bucks John Legend, Corinne Bailey Rae and Anthony Hamilton, the finest vocalist of the current soul crop.
The album's title track kicks off 11 songs of rich sounding contemporary soul. Smooth strings interject in a call-and-response styled chorus and Green sweet-talks his way through the verses: "Really, I just love you for yourself - I don't want nobody, no, no, no, nobody else!" When you get through close to five minutes of preaching on the song, you're convinced that the king of soul is telling the truth.
Yet this is no tribute album, no attempt to drag a 20th-century icon into the 21st century. Instead, the guests - especially The Roots, who provide most of the musical backdrop - let Green soar.
And soar he does, be it on the sumptuous title track, the funky "What More Do You Want From Me?" and "Take Your Time", where Bailey Rae turns in the most sultry, slow-burning performance of her career.
The horns start to play a more important role on "Just For Me", as they replace supporting lines with more ear-catching riffs. And although all the songs on "Lay It Down" flaunt a mid-tempo soul structure, there are interesting differences in the timbers present in the different tracks.
A muscular rhythm section takes hold of "You've Got The Luv I Need" and "I'm Wild About U", while guitars dominate "No One Like You" and a piano features prominently in "Too Much".
Much of the lyrical style here is simple and direct. It works perfectly for Green, as you can sense his emotions through his vocal intonations, which is, of course, a main pillar of classic soul music. Combined with ?uestlove's attentive production work and the variety provided from his collaborators, Green's latest work flourishes.
Though it adds no innovation to the genre, "Lay It Down's tried-and-true approach should appease longtime soul fans. And hopefully the album will reveal Al Green's majesty to a whole new generation of fans in the way he intended through his collaborations with contemporary artists.
Customer Rating:      Summary: Vintage and Amazing Al Green!! Comment: This album is outstanding because it is vintage Al Green in 2008. What a treat. I call it triple S--spiritual, soulful and sexy. The music, singing, appearances by guests such as Anthony Hamilton, Corinne Bailey Rae, and John Legend make the album even more special. This is truly one of a kind from a musical giant and legend and definitely should be added to one's collection. We are humbled.
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