Explores Your Mind

by Al Green

Overview

By the time of 1974's Al Green Explores Your Mind, this version of the Memphis sound was the production style for only a handful of artists. Producer Willie Mitchell used a lighter touch for his most famous artist, and it's all but crafted into the Al Green sound. Despite his skills, Green never falls into mannerism here and gives heartfelt and cogent vocals rooted in intelligence and technique. "Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)," although lyrically slight, has the artist's charisma and Mitchell's pop chops. "Take Me to the River," with perfect backing from Hi Rhythm and a horn and string arrangement, finds Green at his most persuasive. The last track, "School Days," has Green longing for a school girlfriend and despite the potentially sappy sentiment, it works like a charm. The greatness of Al Green Explores Your Mind comes from a collective effort, including James Mitchell's dreamlike string arrangements and the always skilled backing vocals of Rhodes, Chalmers & Rhodes. But the biggest draw here is Green's phrasing and intimate vocals, making the record an extremely strong effort. ~ Jason Elias

Product Details

Release Date:	03/31/2023
Label:	Fat Possum Records
UPC:	0767981114514
Rank:	47461

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Al Green   Primary Artist,Vocals
The Memphis Horns   Guest Artist
Andrew Love   Sax (Tenor),Horn (Tenor),Horn Section
Rhodes, Chalmers & Rhodes   Vocals (Background)
Howard Grimes   Drums,Bongos,Congas
Jack Hale   Trombone,Horn Section
James Mitchell   Sax (Baritone)
Charles Hodges   Organ,Piano
Mabon "Teenie" Hodges   Guitar
Wayne Jackson   Trumpet,Horn Section
Archie Turner   Piano
Ed Logan   Sax (Tenor),Horn (Tenor),Horn Section
The Memphis Strings   Strings,String Section
Leroy Hodges   Bass
Charles Chalmers   Vocals (Background)
Michael Allen   Piano
Sandra Chalmers   Vocals (Background)
Charles E. Jr. Hodges   Organ,Piano
Michael J. Allen   Piano
James J. Mitchell   Sax (Baritone)

Technical Credits

Al Green   Audio Production,Composer,Producer
Willie Mitchell   Audio Engineer,Audio Production,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Remixing
Bill Dahl   Liner Notes
Ira Allen   Composer
Chris Clough   Mastering Supervisor
Howard Grimes   Rhythm Section
Earl Randle   Composer
Charles Hodges   Composer
M. Hodges   Composer
M. Allen   Composer
Mabon "Teenie" Hodges   Composer,Rhythm Section
Alan Robinson   Liner Notes
C. Hodges   Composer
A. Sanders   Composer
Archie Turner   Rhythm Section
Alma Sanders   Composer
Bob Norberg   Remastering
Colin Escott   Liner Notes,Reissue Producer
Leroy Hodges   Rhythm Section
Charles Chalmers   String Arrangements
Michael Allen   Composer,Rhythm Section
Howard Craft   Mastering
Glenn Ross   Design,Art Direction
Richard Kriegler   Design,Art Direction
Eric Randle   Composer
James J. Mitchell   String Arrangements
Bob Levy   Photography