Scorp’s Favorite Albums of the 2000’s – Part 3
Al Green – Lay It Down (2008)
Rest In Peace Willie Mitchell.
When a legend attempts a comeback long after their heyday, the emotions are mixed. We hope that they turn in an album that hangs with their best work. But knowing what usually happens when a legend attempts a comeback long after their heyday, deep in our hearts we know that that it isnt gonna go down like that. At best, they will turn in an album that is respectable. At worst, they will turn in an album that should be stricken from the record. Lay It Down is the ONLY album that I know of by a legend made long after their heyday that stands eye to eye with their best work.
In 2003, it was announced that Al Green would reunite with the producer of his best work, Willie Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell is credited for the success of Al Green as much as the artist himself is. Willie Mitchell is known for creating the legendary Hi Records sound–a folksy, bluesy, swampy Southern stew that is instantly recognizable as the essence of Soul music.
The reunion of Al and Willie yielded the album I Can’t Stop (2003). Expectations were high, but the album itself did not conjure the magic of those 70’s Hi Records hits. Al and Willie gave it another shot with Everything’s OK (2005). The magic still was not there.
At some point, Reverend Al crossed paths with two men who know the deepest secrets of Soul. Ahmir Thompson is best known as ?uestlove, drummer and leader of the hip-hop band The Roots. James Poyser is a gospel keyboardist turned music producer out of the same Philadelphia camp as ?uestlove. The two men refer to their production team as The Randy Watson Experience. ?uestlove is a music nerd, bar none. Obsessively learned about the smallest detail of the classic Black music of the last 40 years, he can accurately mimic any classic artist’s sound. Though he has done so sparingly throughout his career, it would be with Rev. Al that he would get to go all out.
Strangely enough, most legendary artists adamantly refuse to revisit the sound that built their legend. ?uestlove once related a story of putting together a track for Earth, Wind, and Fire. He meticulously re-created their classic sound. Upon hearing what he had come up with, EWF leader Maurice White was disgusted. He bitterly exclaimed, “THIS AINT 1975!” before handing ?uestlove his walking papers. Mostly because of age, and being reared in the era of true artists where competition was fierce, these legends fear being relics. They want to be included in what is going on right now. Worst of all, and understandably so, they want to capture the ear “of the kids”. They tend to ignore the fact that reaching “the kids” after you reach a certain age is almost an impossibility. They dont realize that it would be best to appeal to their existent fan base and do what they do best instead of trying to fit uncomfortably in a mode where they dont belong. A prime example: listen to Prince’s attempts at emceeing.
Who knows how Thompson and Poyser convinced Rev. Al to go back to the essence and stay true to the Al Green sound. The result is Lay It Down. Listening to the album is like stepping into a time warp. Everything you remember from Al Green classics is there. You could easily slip the vinyl for Lay It Down into the jacket of any 70’s Al Green album an confuse an old head. For commercial reasons, Rev. Al is forced to share the spotlight with some contemporary artists guesting on the album. Anthony Hamilton, John Legend, and Corrine Bailey Rae show up and distract us from Al’s show. The only worthy guest is Hamilton. Hamilton’s voice is mined from the classic soul tradition, so when he and the Rev trade verses it sounds natural instead of forced. Hamilton knows that he’s in the presence of greatness and approaches his guest spots knowing that he must justify sharing a track with a legend. Even on Green’s classic albums, songwriting could be a problem spot. Thompson and Poyser remedy that by writing songs with the Rev. that are fully formed and stand on their own outside of the context of the album. The standouts are the aching title track Lay It Down, You Got The Love I Need, and Stay With Me (By The Sea). Luckily, the public and the music press were hip enough to appreciate a true return to form by a living master. Lay It Down debuted in the top 10 of the pop charts and has become the Reverend’s most successful album since his days of dominance in the 70’s. No matter what age you are, if you love soul music, this album is must-have. Hopefully, the Rev. has the good sense to not block the blessings and continues to lay it down.
Sy Smith – One Like Me (2002)
Sy Smith is an underground musical journeywoman. TV, film, commercials, stage, records, etc., she’s been there, done that. She is the only artist on this list whose catalogue I am not familiar with. This EP is the only work of hers that I’ve heard all the way through. Sy wrote, produced, and released this EP on her own with help from long forgotten 90’s producers Somethin’ For The People and Bay Area jazz/soul group Soulive.
Each of the 5 songs are winners. They show her versatility and talent for writing. Smith crafts a proud and playful persona on the EP. Backed by live instruments, Smith resists the temptation to go retro, it all sounds current. She gives up on love and becomes a female mack in the opening cut, Lover’s Crime. She teases a reluctant lover (without being vulgar or trying too hard hard to sound sexy) on the strutting groove Bad On You (featuring tastefully restrained backing vox by Anthony Hamilton). The title track is a clever mediation on embracing one’s individuality without the smarminess that female artists tend to indulge in on these type of songs. Love and Peace is a flowery ballad that showcases a more traditional vocal approach. The closing track, Found A Place, alternately floats and thumps over gorgeous chord progressions.
Again, this EP was self-released and little heard so I dont know where you would cop this from if you wanted it. But its definitely worth the effort to find. It’s an easy accessible listen that you’ll be glad you found. Maybe if you hit her on Twitter she’ll hook you up.
