Singers come and go, but then there are those like Al Green with a voice that resonates through time. Arriving on the R&B scene in the late 1960s with his group Al Greene & the Soul Mates, at the dawn of the new decade, Green (dropping the e from his last name) was well on the way to being a star. Teaming with Producer Willie Mitchell, Green signed with Hi Records and swiftly released the album Green Is Blue in 1969, which is often considered a landmark in developing a smoother Soul style that stood out in the 1970s.
From here, following up with Al Green Gets Next To You in 1971, which included unique covers of well-known songs like The Doors’ 1967 classic “Light My Fire,” but also Green’s first big hit, and one he wrote himself, “Tired of Being Alone.” The song that launched him into the spotlight, “Tired of Being Alone,” peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a prelude to wider success with the number one hit “Let’s Stay Together” from later in 1971. By this point, a superstar, Green had six more consecutive Top 10 singles on the Billboard Charts, a platinum-selling album with 1972’s I’m Still in Love with You, and a number-one Soul album with 1973’s Call Me.
A magical period for the talented singer-songwriter, Green would continue to grow in the 1980s as he turned his attention to Gospel, winning eight Grammy Awards for Best Soul Gospel Performance between 1981 and 1989. Showing diversity and that music comes from a deeper place, Green still engaged the Pop charts amidst his pivot in the 1980s, achieving a massive hit in 1988, teaming with Annie Lennox for the song “Put a Little Love in Your Heart.”
In total, all factors that make Al Green a bona fide legend with a voice of gold, he has won 11 Grammy Awards, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002, has sold more than 20 million albums, and has been a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 1995. However, Green is more than just a legacy artist; he has remained active in modern times, touring in 2019, again in 2025, but also putting out some new music, such as the single “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” in 2018, and a striking take on Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” in 2023. Following this with a very unique reimagining of R.E.M.’s 1992 hit “Everybody Hurts” in late 2024, it is clear that Green still has a fire burning inside.
Speaking of which, to the pleasant surprise of many, Al Green released a new EP on January 15, 2026, called To Love Somebody. Announced a mere 24 hours prior via his social media channels, To Love Somebody is a 4-track EP put out via Fat Possum Records and offers a lot in a very brief period of time.
What is Green’s first collection of new recordings in nearly twenty years (the last being his 2008 album Lay It Down), To Love Somebody was inspired by Green’s connection with The Bee Gees’ 1967 favorite “To Love Somebody” and The Velvet Underground’s 1970 track “I Found A Reason.” Feeling he had something to bring to each song, he opted to record his own take, and let us just say they are quite beautiful. Featuring Green’s signature emotional yet smooth delivery, he emotes the authentic feel of each track flawlessly. Complimented by rich instrumentation, joining him in the studio was the Hi Rhythm Section: Reverend Charles Hodges (organ), Leroy Hodges (bass), Archie “Hubbie” Turner (piano), Will Sexton (guitar), Booker T & The MG’s Steve Potts (drums), as well as string section arrangements from Lester Snell.
Making for a perfect and classic Soul recording session, joining these two songs is a newly recorded rendition of “Perfect Day,” this time with British Singer Raye, coupled with the 2024 recording of “Everybody Hurts.”
Overall, this Al Green EP is a very welcome release. Clearly put together by Green spontaneously, we can only hope that future recordings follow. A voice that carries immense humanity, the world could use more Al Green right now. That is why Cryptic Rock gives To Love Somebody 5 out of 5 stars.
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