Let's Stay Together (album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Let's Stay Together
Type = studio
Artist = Al Green


Released = January 31, 1972
Recorded = 1971
Royal Recording Studios
(Memphis, Tennessee)
Genre = Soul
Length = 33:53
Label = Hi
SH-32070
Producer = Willie Mitchell
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jm7zefikhgf2 link]
*Robert Christgau (A-) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=al+green link]
*"Rolling Stone" (favorable) [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/algreen/albums/album/265190/review/6068224/lets_stay_together 3/30/72]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|5|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/232120/review/6212583/letsstaytogether 2/11/03]
Last album = "Al Green Gets Next to You"
(1971)
This album = "Let's Stay Together"
(1972)
Next album = "I'm Still in Love With You"
(1972)
Misc = Singles
Name =
Let's Stay Together
Type = studio
single 1 = Let's Stay Together
single 1 date = December 1971

"Let's Stay Together" is a 1972 album by soul singer Al Green, and is the follow-up to his moderate success "Al Green Gets Next to You". It was recorded at Royal Recording Studio, 1320 S. Lauderdale, in Memphis and was a success, peaking at number eight on the pop albums chart and number-one on the soul album chart. It is most well-known for the title track, which became Green's signature song and only number-one pop hit single. The album was the third Willie Mitchell produced Al Green album and marked the beginning of Green's classic period of critically-acclaimed albums. "Let's Stay Together" was reissued in 2003 by The Right Stuff.

Critical reaction

The album's appeal was widespread among critics. At the time, "Rolling Stone" noted "Green's voice is something to marvel at. He can croon, shout, scat, rise to the smoothest falsetto, and throw in the funkiest growls..."Let's Stay Together" is, like its predecessor, an indispensable treat." ["Rolling Stone" (3/30/72, p.50)] In 1999, "Q" magazine wrote that the album "shows him as the authentic voice of love's pain and purity on such wonders as 'How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?'" ["Q" (10/99, p.150)] and that " [H] is cover of the Bee Gees' 'How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?' took the soul ballad to new levels of artistry and refinement." ["Q" (p.121)]

List rankings

*Included in Q Magazine's "Best Soul Albums of All Time" (Q, 10/99, p.150)
*Ranked #335 in the Virgin All-Time top 1000 album list, from the 1998 book by Colin Larkin [http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/virgin_1000.htm top 1000 album list]
*Ranked #608 in the Guiness top 1000 album poll (1994) and #25 in the Top 50 Soul Albums list [http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/larkin1000_94.htm Guinness Top 50 Soul Albums]

Track listing

All songs written by Al Green, except where noted

ide One

# "Let's Stay Together" (Green, Jackson, Mitchell) – 3:18
# "La-La for You" (Green, Mitchell) – 3:31
# "So You're Leaving" – 2:57
# "What Is This Feeling?" – 3:42
# "Old Time Lovin'" – 3:19

ide Two

# "I've Never Found a Girl (Who Loves Me Like You Do)" (Floyd, Isbell, Jones) – 3:41
# "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?" (Gibb, Gibb) – 6:22
# "Judy" – 3:47
# "It Ain't No Fun to Me" – 3:23

Reissue Tracks

Bonus tracks featured on 2003 reissue
* "Eli's Game" - 4:55
* "Listen" (Traditional) - 2:30

Personnel

Rhythm Section

*Howard Grimes - drums
*Al Jackson, Jr. - drums
*Leroy Hodges - bass
*Charles Hodges - organ, piano
*Teenie Hodges - guitar

Horn Section

*Wayne Jackson - trumpet
*Andrew Love - horn, tenor saxophone
*Ed Logan - horn, tenor saxophone
*James Mitchell - bass, baritone saxophone, arrangements
*Jack Hale - trombone

Vocals

*Al Green - vocals
*Rhodes, Chalmers & Rhodes - background vocals, arrangements

Additional personnel

*Willie Mitchell - producer, engineer
*Peter Rynston - mastering engineer
*Jools DeVere - artwork

References

*cite book| title = Let's Stay Together album liner notes by Colin Escott | publisher = Cream / Hi Records, Inc.