Search - Al Green :: I Can't Stop

I Can't Stop
Al Green
I Can't Stop
Genres: Blues, Pop, R&B
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1

The highlight of I Can?t Stop, Al Green?s reunion with producer-arranger Willie Mitchell, the architect of his deathless ?70s hits, is "My Problem is You." Over six and a half minutes, Green roars, wails, and rambles throu...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Al Green
Title: I Can't Stop
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Blue Note Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/2003
Re-Release Date: 11/18/2003
Genres: Blues, Pop, R&B
Styles: Classic R&B, Soul
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 724359355627

Synopsis

Amazon.com
The highlight of I Can?t Stop, Al Green?s reunion with producer-arranger Willie Mitchell, the architect of his deathless ?70s hits, is "My Problem is You." Over six and a half minutes, Green roars, wails, and rambles through a midtempo exploration of a seemingly unsolvable riddle--the love of a woman and its hold on him. In great voice, his high-end barely touched by time, he makes every moment count over these dozen originals; often lacking the layer of eccentricity that colored tracks as diverse as "I Can?t Get Next to You" and "Belle," the songs still ring with the Reverend?s authority. Mitchell?s grooves add to the ecstatic mood, especially when the thumping bottom-end syncopation of a track like "Million to One" suggests that of, oh, "Look What You Done for Me." The first time this pair has worked together since a 1985 gospel album, I Can?t Stop blows away the dust and finds more life and gutbucket flash in a seemingly inexhaustible vein. --Rickey Wright

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CD Reviews

Pretty good, but don't expect the magic of the 70s stuff
Michael Kydonieus | San Francisco, CA United States | 03/15/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is not only a reunion of Green and his arranger--quite a few of the original session players and singers are on hand, too. And let's face it--30 years have had an effect on Al Green's voice. It doesn't have quite the same velvet quality as before, but it's astonishing how much range and dexterity Green's voice has retained, particularly in the upper register. Similarly, his background singers sound a little grittier, not as silky smooth as before. What's a little disappointing to me are the songwriting and arrangements. Gone are the subtlety and gently insinuating quality of hits like "Let's Stay Together." The new songs and arrangements have a more aggressive, in-your-face quality, much more in sync with the new millenium's R&B. Sigh. On the other hand, there is more variety to the songs and arrangements than on Al Green's old albums. Actually, maybe it was wise to avoid slavish adherence to the old style. Why mess with perfection? Green's voice, as it stands, is better suited to the new material. Besides, why shouldn't musicians try new things? I guess it's too much to expect the pure magic of the synchronicity between Green, the arranger, background singers, material, and session musicians 30 years later. But hey, it beats the hell out of most R&B these days and it's pretty decent by any standard. Listen to the samples. If you like what you hear, go ahead and buy. Chances are won't be disappointed. Update 3/24/2005: After listening to I Can't Stop a few times, I feel a bit churlish giving it only three stars. On reflection, I'd give it four stars. Really, this cd is better than it has any right to be. Excellent work by all concerned, it's a pleasure in every way and only suffers in comparison to Green's immortal 70s work, which isn't a fair comparison at all."
The Rev. has healed me!
Michael D. Waters | Franklin, TN | 04/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Rev. Al Green is back!! Whether you liked his tunes in the 70s or heard/saw him when Ally McBeal was on FOX, Al Green is back and doing what he does best. Great R&B...true to its style. It's like a trip to Memphis, without the sweltering heat. This one is classic soul music (some call it booty music), put together by the masters of the trade. Put the kids to bed and put this CD in the player, who knows what will happen?"
Okay to Listen To
F. Wells | Baton Rouge, LA | 10/09/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)

"I Can't Stop is okay to listen to. I wanted to give five stars just because it is Al Green, but I gave four. My reasons are: Al doesn't sound relaxed and laid back enough, and those background singers sound kind of tacky. Al's voice still sounds great, but he sounds like he is just not putting enough of his soul into his singing. Maybe he'll sound better if he records another gospel album."