The distinction of being regarded as the last of the great Southern soul singers is a source of pride for Reverend Al Green.  Still young and vital at 58 years old, he has avoided the heavy toll half a century of performing can take.  Speaking from his home in Memphis before heading back on the road, he acknowledges the departure of his original peers.  “The problem is people like to burn the candle too bright.  The brighter the candle, the shorter its life.  If you trim the wick and have it burn just a little bit, then it lasts longer.  So that’s we did, we trimmed the wick real good.”  Unleashing the first of many fits of laughter, it’s apparent the Reverend has long since figured out the recipe for longevity.

            After spending the early part of his career with pop and R&B groups, Green took the 70s by storm as a solo artist.  Thanks to the help of producer and collaborator, Willie Mitchell, he pioneered a unique style combining the gritty sensibility of the down home Memphis sound with the sweeter delivery of Motown.  Playing his first gig after returning home from 28 days in London, Green was taken aback when he found himself on the receiving end of mass adoration.  This was 1972 and somehow he was oblivious to the fact that his single, “Let’s Stay Together,” had hit #1 on the pop charts.  He recalls, “Girls were running up onstage; man they was like rubbing on you, hugging you, trying to kiss you.  It was frightening.” 

            Riding high on a string of hits including “Tired of Being Alone,” “I Can’t Get Next to You,” and “Call Me,” it was only a few years before Green had the ammunition to compile his legendary Greatest Hits album.  Recently acknowledged by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the finest recordings of all time, it has been the soundtrack for countless romantic evenings around the world.  The following year in 1976 the singer made a dramatic change in response to a horrifying incident.  He was severely burned by a boiling pot of grits thrown on him by an ex-girlfriend who subsequently committed suicide.  Seeking refuge in the Baptist church, he began a new life as Reverend Al Green.  Since 1979, he has led the congregation at the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Memphis. 

After 25 years of playing strictly gospel, Rev. Green returned to secular music with 2002’s I Can’t Stop.  This also marked the revival of his relationship with Mr. Mitchell.  Last year’s follow-up, Everything’s OK has been lauded as the artist’s true return to his funky, soulful roots.  Just hearing the title track’s syncopated horn intro is enough to make anyone hit the dancefloor.

            Speaking about next Thursday’s concert at the Chumash Casino (which will be opened by local sensation Crosby Loggins & The Leadbirds), Reverend Green gets excited, “Man, I’ve played Santa Barbara twice and I just loved it.”  Not realizing the venue’s valley locale, he adds, “This time I want to come and spend some time because the houses are real pretty and they’re tucked back behind the foliage and I want to get in there and peek.  I’m a peeker, you know what I mean?”  Then for good measure he lets off one final burst of laughter.