Look What You Done For Me

Song written by Al Green and Willie Mitchell; performed by Al Green

The way that I remember it, Al Green just did not come up in conversation. I started noticing his name in some of the music journalism that I was reading, but nobody mentioned him before that. Or, if they did, the name didn’t stick. I didn’t notice him being played on the radio. But then I must have hit critical mass on hearing about the man and so I decided to find out what I had been missing.

I wandered down to the basement location of Haffa’s records. Ron owned the place and he became something of an older brother who watched over me. He went so far as to let me run the place every now and then. Of course, he had a copy of Al Green’s greatest.

I clutched my purchase all the way up the street to the first floor apartment, knowing my roommate was probably out- the perfect time to see if I had made a mistake. We lived in a former funeral parlor, so we had a certain ambiance. (My bed fit in this perfect little alcove, too.)

I would like to claim that I knew immediately that I had stumbled upon greatness. I probably expected the muscle of Atlantic stars like Aretha and Sam & Dave or the drive of Motown. This was something else. That voice… that incredible voice. And the songs grooved.

I have written elsewhere (maybe too many times) about the joy of feeling a pride in loving an artist that just hasn’t caught on yet. There is that joy in early discovery that grants a certain sense of pride in your position. “I knew the Beatles when they played in Hamburg and Love Me Do was still called Love Me Sue.” (They never did as far as I know, so just stop right there.)

On long car rides and slow week nights,

I have always been known to turn on guests and inflict something I want them to hear and love. Not everyone agrees with me, but usually someone in the group gets that lovely look on their face that indicates recognition. Usually, I want to dust off my hands and retire from the room, announcing, “My work is done here.” This has worked for Jonathan Richman and The Raspberries, Berlioz and Roland Kirk. I’m saying that it works within a few minutes.

That has never been the case with Al Green, I am sorry to say. Absolutely, the look arrives, but it takes about a half hour- six or eight songs. On the other hand, I could be walking around with someone a week later. A lull happens in the conversation. I notice that they are ever so softly singing Call Me or Love and Happiness.

Of course, there is also this, which is just… well… words fail me.

Lastly, let’s be clear that this is the original version by the guy that co-wrote the song with Mabon Hodges.

What’s it all about?

You’ve Got to Check This Out is a blog series about music, words, and all sorts of artistic matters. It started with an explanation. 77 more to go.

New additions to You’ve Got to Check This Out release regularly. Also, free humor, short works, and poetry post irregularly. Receive notifications on Facebook by friending or following Craig.

Images may be subject to copyright.