Starting in 1971 with Al Green Gets Next to You, Al Green albums became
necessities. Livin' for You is Green's sixth album, and the fourth to
be certified gold. (Its predecessor, the classic Call Me, was still on
the charts when this was released.) Each of Green's albums with Willie
Mitchell are singular, with their own distinct style, and Livin' for You
is no exception. It takes a more relaxed approach and offers some of his
best ballads; the title track is Green at his most engaging, even when
he sang potentially mood-interrupting lines like "I'm tired of your
bright ideas about leaving me." "Home Again" and "So
Good to Be Here" are romantic if not hypnotic, offering subtle drumming,
economical keyboards, and gentle vocals. The biggest track here, the proficient
and smooth "Let's Get Married," has Green being a little wishy-washy
as he sings, "I didn't mean to say all the things I said/The way
I felt in my heart it came out that way." Although the originals
here rank with his best, Green also did good cover work too. The often
useless "Unchained Melody" shows up and benefits from Green's
methodical delivery. In many ways, Livin' for You is the perfect, intimate
album for his fans.
(by Jason Elias , All
Music Guide)
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