The Post and Courier interview with rhythm and blues crooner Al Green

The soulful, distinctive voice of rhythm and blues crooner Al Green will grace the environs of the Charleston Music Hall on Saturday night in a highly anticipated concert that's causing quite a buzz around the Lowcountry.

Green has a new record out, "Lay It Down," his third on Blue Note Records, and it's billed as a return to the classic Al Green sound with innovations. It was released May 27, and July 22 it was No. 21 on Billboard's rhythm and blues chart.

A Southern blues belter from way back, Green helped define the soul-music genre when he started out in 1970 with his first release, "Green Is Blues." His sound has become legendary. Music writer Stephen Erlewine describes Green's approach as "a sinewy, sexy groove highlighted by horn punctuations and string beds that let Green showcase his remarkable falsetto."

Green and his 15-piece band are on tour and will come to Charleston after a stop in Atlantic City, N.J.

Purpose party

The concert Saturday is a benefit for the Medical University of South Carolina's Children's Hospital Fund. Ear For Music, a local production company, and Scott Key of The Charlestonian are staging the event for Baker Motor Company, the event's sponsor. All proceeds will benefit the fund.

"I think having Al in such an intimate setting will certainly be a very special evening for everyone and hopefully draw a nice audience for the charity and Al," said Rob Lamble of Ear For Music.

Sponsor Tommy Baker said, "We thought that since Al Green has a new album out he would be a hot ticket. We're pleased with sales so far." Baker is into Green's art as well. "I like his music because it reaches all segments. He does the religious music and he does soul. He can reach any audience. That's what I like about him."

Lamble reported that since tickets went on sale June 18, a $75 ticket has been added to the admission schedule.

In a telephone interview from Memphis, Tenn., on Tuesday, Green was rarin' to go when asked about performing in Charleston. He was high spirited, full of energy and quick to answer any question thrown at him. He commiserated, a bit, about the grind of a tour, but returned to being the optimist, saying that over the years he's gotten used to it and can still deal with it.

Been here before

Green headlined ChazzFest, a local popular music festival held at Family Circle Cup Stadium on Daniel Island in September 2006, and played to rave reviews. He drew a large, diverse crowd and, by all accounts, gave them all they came to get.

Green said he had a blast in Charleston. "It was the bomb. I wouldn't be coming back if it wasn't the bomb. I know how to pick cities to perform in."

Green also was here in the 1980s, playing a gospel show at the old Charleston County Hall, now an apartment complex on King Street that once housed the King Street Palace. Two radio professionals and veterans of the pop-music business remember "Rev." Al's visit. It was the mid-1980s, shortly after Green gave up secular music for sacred. He had become a preacher in 1979.

Frankie "The Big Bopper" Green said in a recent interview he spent a bit of time with Green around that show. The Big Bopper has a popular R&B show on WMGL-FM on Saturdays. "You can't do the kind of show I do and not play Al Green," The Big Bopper said in admiration of Green's talent.

Theron Snype, Minority Business Enterprise manager for the city of Charleston, was a prominent DJ and radio station manager in the 1970s. He also has met Green and remembers him to be full of life and not missing too many opportunities to perform.

'Magical singer'

His plaintive, seductive voice was in fine form at ChazzFest and a listen to "Lay It Down' reveals he still has it today.

Like good performers do, Green remains true to the traditions he has always followed, but he works at giving his material a fresh feel.

On "Lay It Down," he invited British singer/songwriter Corrine Bailey Rae, R&B standout John Legend and crooner Anthony Hamilton, youngsters all, to sing with him. If that's not "fresh" enough, consider the addition to the recording team of co-producers from the hip-hop world, drummer Ahmir ?uestlove Thompson from the Roots band and keyboardist James Poyser, known for his work with Erykha Badu and Common.

Press material quotes ?uestlove as saying, "The reason why we are doing this is we all love Al Green. Even today, nobody has range like him."

Also on the record are the Dap-King Horns (Amy Winehouse), guitarist Chalmers "Spanky" Alford (Mighty Clouds of Joy, Joss Stone) and bassist Adam Blackstone (Jill Scott, DJ Jazzy Jeff).

Legend said, "It's an honor to be able to work with Al Green, who I have always loved and respected. He has been an important part of black-music history, and pop music for that matter. Al really is a magical singer."

Tour and other schedule conflicts have prevented Legend and the others on the record to join Green here, Green said. "I'm still going to lay it down. I've been telling folks, 'John isn't here so I'm going to sing his part, too.' "

Green met ?uestlove in Trinidad. "I saw him perform on television one night while there. I met him and we traded numbers and I said we should do some work in the studio sometime.

He met Legend at the Blue Note club in New York City. A staffer there suggested to Legend he work with Green at some point. "He was ready then," Green said.