Live Review
Al Green with Debbie Duncan
Guthrie Theatre
March 29, 2004
by Rich Benson
Photography © 2004 by Rich Benson, all rights reserved.
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"Keeping the Blues Alive Award" Achievement for Blues on the Internet Presented by The Blues Foundation
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I confess that as a music fan, writer and photographer I have seen many great shows, countless good shows, and not a few bad shows over the years I have been attending live music events. But the Reverend Al Green’s performance at the Guthrie has to be one of the best I have ever seen, and doubtless one that I and everyone else there that night will never forget.
Debbie Duncan opened up, backed only by piano, bass, and a percussionist. Looking outstanding in a stylish long white coat and outfit, she served up some great jazz stylings, holding, bending, and wringing every bit of emotion out of her vocals she could. Her songs about love, life, and living connected with the enthusiastic crowd. At one point she urged the crowd to hope for peace and love, then serving up wonderfully passionate vocals on “Sack Full of Dreams” from her last CD. While only performing for 40 minutes, she gave everything she had, her long held high notes earning cheers and ovations from the crowd. Showing her sense of humor, she struggled a bit all night with her outfit, where the coats and pants were just a bit too long. Finally admitting defeat, she kicked off her shoes and pulled up her pant legs a bit to move around. Debbie is a strong, talented vocalist who performs regularly in clubs around the Twin Cities. If you want a night of smooth jazz and great vocals from a veteran performer, be sure to check her out.
The Reverend Al Green strode out to the stage in a white tuxedo jacket, black tuxedo pants, and white patent leather shoes to an enthusiastic, standing ovation before he sang a note. He kicked off his show with the title cut from his first secular music CD in 25 years, “I Can’t Stop.” And that was true all night. He peeled away the years with his great soulful vocals, energy, enthusiasm, dancing, and class. He had nearly 4 dozen roses on the grand piano, which he handed to women in the crowd or threw higher up into the crowd as he performed. He had the crowd on their feet at least half of his show as he brought back the sweet sound of his 70’s soul hits with “Let’s Stay Together,” “Take Me to the River,” and “Lay Your Head Down on the Pillow.” At one point he said “You know the words, you don’t need me!” He’d point at a section of the crowd and they would sing along. The good Reverend spoke briefly about what is the most important to him, his faith, and he added a few lines to some of his songs to change the feel from seduction to staying together with his wife.
The Reverend frequently pointed skyward, and talked about “reading the book” as being important to his life. He served up a version of the old hymn, “Amazing Grace” that was, for want of a better description, simply amazing. His tight, talented, veteran band, 13 strong, played seamlessly behind him. At different points, with his strong vocals and the Guthrie’s great acoustics, he stood six feet back from the mike as he sang. The energy and passion of Al Green energized the crowd, who could never seem to stop moving. We all knew we were seeing a masterful artist at the top of his art. The Reverend served up the song that is going to be the next single off the new CD, “Raining in My Heart.” Based on the great sound of his new CD, it seems clear he will be the odds-on favorite for the Grammy Awards next year. All night long he danced, moved, got down on his knees to sing, and showed that he still has the moves as well as the great voice. The crowd loved every second of it. The Reverend closed things out with a rousing rendition of “Love an Happiness.” The crowd stood on their feet for 15 minutes after he left the stage, roaring, clapping, cheering, and hoping for more. But the good Reverend had given everything he had to give, and did not return. If he should ever return, run, don’t walk, to get tickets. You won’t be disappointed.
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