Those who watched Al Green perform on the 2009 Grammy Awards telecast saw that even at 62, the man can still bring it—or at least enough of it to put young whippersnappers like Justin Timberlake in their place. But that was nothing compared to Al Green during his 1970s and ‘80s heyday, when his palpable charisma and oozing sexuality made droves of women quite literally swoon. This 25th anniversary reissue of the 1984 documentary by filmmaker Robert Mugge (whose dozens of top notch music films include Sonny Rollins: Saxophone Colossus, also reviewed in this issue) captures Green roughly a decade after a self-described conflict between the sensual and the spiritual led to his renouncement of popular music (although not for good; a recording studio interview finds him singing “Tired of Being Alone” solo and “Let's Stay Together” with a group). While the Rev. Green's account of the infamous incident during which a crazed former girlfriend doused him with boiling grits before shooting herself to death is naturally fascinating, the best moments here come from a gig at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., where Green invests his gospel music—including versions of “People Get Ready” and “Amazing Grace”—with even more febrile, funky, rocking grooves than he brought to the pop stuff. And when he serves up that relentless, rhythmic, chanted testifying favored by gospel preachers, the result is extraordinarily powerful. Presented in stereo, DVD extras include a 90-minute audio interview with Green, recollections by Mugge, additional concert excerpts, and more. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Graham)[Blu-ray/DVD Review—July 25, 2017—MVD Visual, 96 min., not rated, DVD or Blu-ray: $19.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1984's Gospel According to Al Green features a good transfer and a LPCM 2.0 stereo soundtrack on the Blu-ray release. Extras include an audio interview with subject Al Green (93 min.), a “Climax of Church Service” audio recording (66 min.), a “Soul and Spirit” featurette with director Robert Mugge (17 min.), an extended song (5 min.), bonus concert audio (4 min.), and a brief answering machine message. Bottom line: a fine extras package for this classic music documentary.]
Gospel According to Al Green
(1984) 96 min. DVD: $24.99. Acorn Media (avail. from most distributors). Volume 24, Issue 3
Gospel According to Al Green
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