Al Green "Take Me to the River"

[daddyo]

Is it me or is this just a great funky song by a great singer?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tgm7...eature=related
Let's pretend the Talking Heads version never happened.

[scottlr]

Love me some Al Green!

[Craftmatic]

Originally Posted by daddyo

Is it me or is this just a great funky song by a great singer?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tgm7...eature=related
Let's pretend the Talking Heads version never happened.

Oh man do I. What a crime that an anemic cover got to be the known version of such a smokin' song. THE man is burning in that video! And so is his band. I have nothing against the Talking Heads - love their artsy, fartsy stuff (I went to art school with them and played in a lot of Chris Frantz' bands) but this is one of the most dynamic soul songs of all time and the original version is unbeatable. I remember in the 80's I put it on a dance tape for a huge loft party I helped throw and the place went wild. Lots of white folks (including me) getting funky. Anyway, thanks for turning me own to this video. I miss the original Soul Train too!

[DanR]

I had (and still have) the album, "Al Green Explores Your Mind" on vinyl. I think I bought it in '75. I bought it specifically because I had heard "Take Me to the River" on the radio. When the Talking Heads remade it, it was old hat for me. I think they did a real cool version, but the original is certainly a gem, as well.

[Smakutus]

Al Green's Greatest hits is a great album and this song isn't on it... What kind of drums is that guy playing there? Was it designed by the guy that did the L'eggs pantyhose eggs?

Jeff

[Gris]

We patterned out version of 'TMTTR' after Al's... :-)

[playon]

I like both versions, but Al Green rules.

[Mark Ray]

Don't forget Foghat's version! It's on the Night Shift album, and it smokes.

Mark

[GDking]

I like the talking heads version much better.

[ghost]

BROTHER, THANKS FOR POSTING THAT...I FORGOT HOW SMOKIN THE ORIGINAL IS...LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!




so just for grins....what other covers (good or bad) are people aware of?

so far;

Talking heads

Foghat

i'll add one: Annie Lennox


Any more out there that you know of ? ....

[DrewB]

I've heard Gov't Mule do it in concert, but they haven't put it on an album.

[HeyMrTeleMan]

The Rev. Al tears it up in a FUNKY version of Take Me to the River at the '96 Olympic closing ceremony (right here in Atlanta, GA). BB's first and then Al comes out (around 1:52 of the vid), with BB backing on Lucille! Wish I'd had tickets to THAT!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3a7Z...eature=related

Enjoy!

[Paul Conway]

Teenie Hodges, Al Jackson Jr....how could it be any less than awesome?

[Lance]

Originally Posted by ghost

BROTHER, THANKS FOR POSTING THAT...I FORGOT HOW SMOKIN THE ORIGINAL IS...LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!




so just for grins....what other covers (good or bad) are people aware of?

so far;

Talking heads

Foghat

i'll add one: Annie Lennox


Any more out there that you know of ? ....

I once saw the Grateful Dead play it at the Pyramid in Memphis on April Fools 1995. Pretty solid show....for '95. Yeah, they played Candyman & Tennessee Jed too!

[Ryguy]

There is another GREAT version by Syl Johnson from Stax across town in Memphis that smokes!