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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > April > 30
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Al Green working again with producer Willie Mitchell
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Since Al Green even uses the title on the cover of his latest album, “It’s OK,” the singer’s second critically acclaimed secular project with old Royal Studios producer Willie Mitchell, it’s only logical to address him as “reverend” when you ring his cellphone.
“It’s Al,” he gently corrects. He’ll appeared Friday night at Chastain Park Amphitheatre with Atlanta singer Francine Reed.
It’s clear that the soul singer is enjoying his reunion with Mitchell, who with Green created the performer’s biggest hits like “Let’s Stay Together” and “Love and Happiness.”
“Working with Willie at Royal is like going home,” Green says. “You just go in and do your thing. It’s familiar and it’s comfortable.”
When we inform the singer that Mitchell once told us the secret to getting an inspired performance out of Green in the vocal booth was shouting obscenities at him, the singer lets loose one of his multi-octave laughs. “Now, Willie’s just getting old, and he’s senile,” Green says. “I wouldn’t believe a word that man tells you!”
The vocalist has described his recent work with his old mentor as the continuation of “a beautiful painting.” So with the release of 2004’s “I Can’t Stop” and last year’s “It’s OK,” is that 40-year-old mural of sounds now complete?
“That’s the thing with painting,” he explains. “You never know when a painting is done until it’s done. And it’s tougher when you’re painting with your heart. No piece of art is ever finished until you put your signature on it. And Willie and me? Neither one of us is even close to signing our work just yet.”
The singer has been cutting tracks at Jimi Hendrix’s old Electric Lady Studios in New York City’s Greenwich Village.
“We’re keeping it Al, but we are adding a hip-hop flavor. The stuff we’re laying down is gonna knock your socks off.” Green pauses and adds: “It’ll knock your socks and your shoes off!”
While Green still logs 130 to 140 dates a year gigging, he tries not to leave his flock unattended too many Sundays at his Full Gospel Tabernacle church in Memphis, just down the road from Graceland.
“You know what they say,” he says, laughing. “If the bishop’s not there, your congregation might not stick around either! Rev. Al’s got to be there, or folks might not be putting that $20 in the [collection] plate. I only miss four or five Sundays a year.”
And according to the singer, tonight’s Chastain audience can expect Green’s multi-decade long ministry of love to continue.
“Whether I’m up there singing, ‘Love and Happiness” or ‘Take Me To the River’ or ‘Let’s Stay Together’ or ‘Amazing Grace,’ it’s all about the love, baby. And there’s no way to whup that either.”
A sneak peek at ‘Niki’
Heeding the dark pin-hued invitations to “Come Play!” Atlanta Botanical Garden patrons, social elite and well, us, dressed the part at Thursday night’s private preview of “Niki in the Garden” in Midtown. Feather boas and bright primary colors were the cocktail party attire of choice.
The whimsical outdoor art exhibition collecting 41 pieces of Niki de Saint Phalle’s colorful sculptures went perfectly with the crisp humidity-free (and seemingly pollen-free) spring evening.
Guests sipped champagne and made mental notes to bring their children and grandchildren to the family-friendly exhibition this summer.
Welcoming the crowd, ABG executive director Mary Pat Matheson talked about the facility’s ambitious $45 million fund-raising campaign. Thus far, the garden has raised $28 million.
Matheson and her staff are hoping the Niki exhibit will drive visitors during its stay in Atlanta through Halloween.
“Niki in the Garden” opens to the public today. For info: atlantabotanicalgarden.org.
Celebrity docket
Rapper Snoop Dogg flew from Britain on Friday following his arrest over a fracas at Heathrow Airport in which seven police officers were injured. The 34-year-old boarded a Virgin Atlantic flight for Johannesburg, South Africa, late Friday. He was due to perform in Durban today.
Snoop and five other men were arrested Wednesday on charges of violent disorder and affray — or in non-English English terms, starting a brawl — and spent the night in jail, the Metropolitan police said.
Police said Snoop, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, and the other men, all U.S. citizens in their 30s, were released Thursday but must return to London next month for further questioning.
Trouble began late Wednesday when members of Snoop’s entourage were denied entry to British Airways’ first-class lounge. A disturbance involving 30 people followed, police said.
When officers told the group that they would not be allowed to board their flight, “a number of the group became abusive and pushed officers,” a police spokeswoman said.
She said seven officers received cuts, bruises and other minor injuries.
Celebrity birthdays
Today: Bluesman Otis Rush is 72. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld is 52. Actress Kate Mulgrew (“Star Trek: Voyager”) is 51. Actress Michelle Pfeiffer is 48. Actress Uma Thurman is 36. Rapper Master P is 36.
Sunday: Actress Cloris Leachman is 80. Singer Willie Nelson is 73. Rapper Lloyd Banks is 24. Actress Kirsten Dunst is 24.
Contributing: news services. If you have a tip, 404-526-2749. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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