Al Green Releases First New Song in 10 Years: Listen
Al Green’s last album was the 2008 Questlove-produced album Lay It Down. Today, the Reverend has returned with his first new song in a decade. It’s a cover of “Before the Next Teardrop Falls,” and it’s being released as the latest installment of Amazon Music’s “Produced By” series. Listen below.
Green’s cover was produced by Memphis’ Matt Ross-Spang at Sam Phillips Recording Service. Ross-Spang’s series also included collaborations with Margo Price and John Prine. The producer said in a statement:
As a lifelong Memphian, I’ve always been a massive fan of Al Green and his producer Willie Mitchell. Together they created some of the most enduring soul music. Sonically speaking, Willie and Al also really invented a distinct sound that separated them from Stax or Motown. Growing up in a such a rich musical heritage I became captivated by these records and long dreamed of working with Al Green. I’ve always loved the Linda Martell version of “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” and kept it back pocket as a great cover idea for him. It follows in the footsteps of Willie and Al reinterpreting country songs like “For the Good Times” and “Funny How Time Slips Away.” I still can’t believe we actually got to do it!
