Al Green Proves He's Still Got It at California Gig

Posted on Sep 4th 2009 11:30AM by Pat Pemberton
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While non-religious music recently brought Al Green back to the Top 10 chart, his most emotional moment at the Chumash Casino Thursday was delivered through a gospel song. Members of his Memphis church have seen the Reverend Green perform 'Amazing Grace/Nearer My God to Thee' before, but in Santa Ynez, Calif., the man who once abandoned secular music paired pleading gospel with sweaty soul, tearing off his jacket and asking, "Can I get a witness in the crowd?"

Amid fawning applause, he feigned modesty as his 13-piece band maintained a tight groove and his three daughters -- he called them "my Destiny's Child" -- provided lifting harmonies. "I'm only just one little man ," he teased. "There's too much loooove coming up here."

Later, Green jokingly acted like a man with doubters, despite his 11 Grammys. "Some wonder if the reverend's still got it," he said during 'I'm So Tired of Being Alone.' "We want to prove it to the unbelievers." He then unleashed a searing falsetto "heeeey, baby" that walloped those who bore witness.

At 63, Green's vocal power and range defies the erosion of time, as proven by his first screech halfway through 1'L-O-V-E (Love).' Meanwhile, his laughing, smiling persona came off fresh, even when repeating jokes from years past. The show also featured two songs from 'Lay It Down,' his first Top 10 debut. That 2008 album, featuring John Legend, Anthony Hamilton and Corinne Bailey Rae, didn't use young acts to be hip -- it allowed them to experience Green's craft, as if being groomed.

But they'll have to wait before they can come anywhere near his accomplishments. Whether he's got the Lord on his side or simply good luck, he proved Thursday that he still owns the best voice in soul.