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You are here: Home / Music / Willie Mitchell RIP

Willie Mitchell RIP

by DougJ|  January 8, 20107:33 pm| 49 Comments

This post is in: Music

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Soul music just lost one of its all-time greats, Willie Mitchell, who produced all the great Al Green records:

If Al Green’s voice made him the most accomplished and commercially successful soul singer of the 1970s, it was the thrilling production and sensuous arrangements of Willie Mitchell that fashioned his hit sound.

A trumpeter and bandleader in his own right who began recording for the Memphis-based Hi Records in the 1960s, Mitchell achieved his greatest success after he took over the label in 1970 and began guiding the careers of other artists.

Foremost among them was Green, and Mitchell — known as Papa Willie to his artists — formed an unbeatable partnership with the singer.

Together they created some of the most sublime soul music ever made, Mitchell’s gliding horn and string arrangements, and sparse, slinky grooves brilliantly emphasised the carnal and spiritual dichotomy that lay at the heart of Green’s appeal.

I can’t explain this, but to me, the thing in the world that is most distinctly American is music like Al Green’s stuff from the 70s.

I always liked this passage from Nick Hornby about Al Green and Willie Mitchell.

Update. Here’s a Fresh Air interview with Willie Mitchell and Al Green.

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49Comments

  1. 1.

    Jager

    January 8, 2010 at 7:39 pm

    When i heard about Willie Mitchell passing, I was in the car and just happened to have Al Green’s greatest hits in the CD player! Listened to them all-twice!

  2. 2.

    DougJ

    January 8, 2010 at 7:41 pm

    You know what sucks about the Al Green greatest hits CD? No “For The Good Times”! What the hell?

  3. 3.

    Svensker

    January 8, 2010 at 7:46 pm

    Nick Hornby seems to be talking about himself a lot more than Green or Mitchell. But what the hell. Al Green is the best and thank you Mr. Mitchell for your gift.

  4. 4.

    Brachiator

    January 8, 2010 at 7:47 pm

    Mitchell passed away on January 5. The public radio program Fresh Air, with Terry Gross, has a good pair of interviews with Mitchell and Al Green.

    Love and Happiness, Willie

  5. 5.

    DougJ

    January 8, 2010 at 7:48 pm

    Nick Hornby seems to be talking about himself a lot more than Green or Mitchell.

    Fair enough, but I like the passage anyway.

  6. 6.

    SiubhanDuinne

    January 8, 2010 at 7:48 pm

    Fresh Air did a memorial tribute to Willie Mitchell a couple of days ago (might have been yesterday, can’t remember) which had old interview clips that Terry Gross did with both Mitchell and Al Green. Good stuff. If you missed it on NPR, it’s probably up on the Fresh Air website.

  7. 7.

    kth

    January 8, 2010 at 8:00 pm

    In that Terri Gross interview, we find out that Mitchell discovered Green in Midland, TX, which is just freaking bizarre. I.e., not exactly my idea of a soul music incubator.

  8. 8.

    Keith G

    January 8, 2010 at 8:02 pm

    This Ohio farm boy associates that Al Green sound with coming of age in the early 70s. Well I was a farm boy *then* and that music was a taste of something different, something bigger beyond the fields.

    Glad to learn about the guy that helped make that great music. Sorry he has left us.

    RIP Mr. Mitchell and thank you.

  9. 9.

    Kris

    January 8, 2010 at 8:14 pm

    Admit it DougJ, you are a black man…

  10. 10.

    Jager

    January 8, 2010 at 8:15 pm

    No “For the Good Times” but it does have “Funny, How Time Slips Away” and “Take Me to the River”

  11. 11.

    SIA

    January 8, 2010 at 8:38 pm

    Love love love Al Green. RIP Willie.

  12. 12.

    SIA

    January 8, 2010 at 8:39 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Did Sonny let you stay home from school??? :)

  13. 13.

    WereBear

    January 8, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    It goes to show that even though his name was not as well known as Al Green, he was a vital contributor to the “Al Green” experience.

    I’m grateful.

  14. 14.

    SIA

    January 8, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    Ah, Mama Biden died too. I have a wonderful photo of her looking up at Obama in amazement. What a little trooper she was.
    http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/bidens-mother-dies/

  15. 15.

    SiubhanDuinne

    January 8, 2010 at 8:47 pm

    @SIA: LOL, yes he did — or at least my own employer said don’t come in, so I didn’t. Who am I to disregard my bosses’ instructions?

    Hope you’re staying warm. Was it icy where you are?

  16. 16.

    SIA

    January 8, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Oh good, glad you got to stay home! Yes we had enough ice to make driving inadvisable; I rescheduled dinner plans for tonight. But then I’m an old lady anyway. :)

  17. 17.

    Thadeus Horne

    January 8, 2010 at 9:20 pm

    RIP, Willie. I’ll remember you always.

  18. 18.

    DougJ

    January 8, 2010 at 9:26 pm

    In that Terri Gross interview, we find out that Mitchell discovered Green in Midland, TX, which is just freaking bizarre. I.e., not exactly my idea of a soul music incubator.

    Yeah, you’re right. I totally missed that when I was reading. Amazing.

  19. 19.

    Corner Stone

    January 8, 2010 at 9:33 pm

    I love Melissa Harris-Lacewell, and I don’t care who knows it.

    That “got a cold and have a little husky voice” is totally doin’ it for me.

  20. 20.

    LanceThruster

    January 8, 2010 at 9:39 pm

    Was listening to The Talkings Heads version of “Take Me To The River” the other day and was thinking how timeless the original was. This was not a sendup of an older classic the way Sid Vicious’ “My Way” was, but a true tribute done to the material in their reworking of it.

  21. 21.

    Bob In Pacifica

    January 8, 2010 at 9:41 pm

    A real treat for anyone who hasn’t heard it, go to You Tube and listen to Al Green sing, “I Want To Hold Your Hand”. You get the distinct feeling he’s not talking about hands.

    And at the beginning of the song he’s shouting, “I got the feeling now!” and he sounds ecstatic in both a spiritual and sexual way.

    And listen to the slinky guitar.

    +++

    And since it’s Friday night, look up Junior Walker and the All-Stars and concentrate on the guitarist’s play on “Road Runner”.

    American music indeed!

  22. 22.

    Jager

    January 8, 2010 at 9:45 pm

    Take a listen to Al’s “Can’t Get Next to You”…Willie out did himself on the arrangement plus it has a really nasty lttle guitar break in it!

  23. 23.

    DougJ

    January 8, 2010 at 9:52 pm

    Was listening to The Talkings Heads version of “Take Me To The River” the other day and was thinking how timeless the original was. This was not a sendup of an older classic the way Sid Vicious’ “My Way” was, but a true tribute done to the material in their reworking of it.

    It’s a great cover, IMHO.

  24. 24.

    mikefromtexas

    January 8, 2010 at 9:56 pm

    Anyone remember Al Green on The Daily Show a few years ago? Totally surreal.

  25. 25.

    Corner Stone

    January 8, 2010 at 9:56 pm

    Speaking of music – The Fray. Layers on layers. Just gets better with every listen.

  26. 26.

    Craig

    January 8, 2010 at 10:10 pm

    @LanceThruster:

    Green’s original is crazy funky, but I actually prefer the Talking Heads’ version, which is (ironically enough) more soulful. It’s one of those rare covers, like All Along the Watchtower, that I can actually picture the originator doing on tour. I don’t know if Al ever does (or did) the Heads’ version, but I bet if he did it would totally own.

  27. 27.

    Cat Lady

    January 8, 2010 at 11:00 pm

    My friends call pot Al Green. You can actually yell across the street to somebody “hey, bring some Al Green”, and it’s a great idea on either level.

    +3

  28. 28.

    The Republic of Stupidity

    January 8, 2010 at 11:00 pm

    @Craig:

    It’s one of those rare covers, like All Along the Watchtower, that I can actually picture the originator doing on tour.

    If I’m not mistaken, and on matters like this I’m usually not, Dylan once said that Hendrix’s version was definitively better than his…

    @DougJ:

    … we find out that Mitchell discovered Green in Midland, TX, which is just freaking bizarre. I.e., not exactly my idea of a soul music incubator.

    Here’s an equally good one for you… musicians from Tulsa…

    Roy Clark, J.J. Cale, Bob Wills, Eldon Shamblin, David Gates, Leon Russell, Patti Page, Jim Keltner, Elvin Bishop…

  29. 29.

    Phoebe

    January 8, 2010 at 11:46 pm

    I loved that interview, and Nick Hornby’s point about “the only thing that really matters” I took at first to mean “Al Green songs”, not love. Love is too abstract sometimes. But those songs, just the sound of them, there it is.

  30. 30.

    2th&nayle

    January 9, 2010 at 12:01 am

    @Cat Lady:

    My friends call pot Al Green

    That is such a hoot! I don’t inbibe much anymore, but if I ever change my vices I’ll remember this little bit of ‘below the radar’ nomenclature.
    Semi O/T: One of my favorite Willie Mitchell songs is the cover Boz Scaggs did of “Come on Home”, from the album of the same name. Stunningly beautiful.

  31. 31.

    Phoebe

    January 9, 2010 at 12:04 am

    I very much recommend the lp/cd “Love Ritual” by Al Green. It is 100% great. Also.

  32. 32.

    hoosierspud

    January 9, 2010 at 12:46 am

    Al Green’s big singles came out when I was in college, and I didn’t really like them then. Now I appreciate how great they were and part of that is Willie Mitchell’s arrangements. What was I thinking?

  33. 33.

    Andy K

    January 9, 2010 at 12:56 am

    I can’t explain this, but to me, the thing in the world that is most distinctly American is music like Al Green’s stuff from the 70s.

    Doug, Doug, Doug….Way to cop out on that. “I can’t explain…”. What would make the Rev any more “distinctly American” than, say, this:

    James Brown- Lost Someone

    ?

    That’s just the first thing off the top of my head…Armstrong, Basie, Ellington, Louis Jordan, Stevie Wonder…..

  34. 34.

    asdf

    January 9, 2010 at 4:54 am

    Andy K, there is an error in your logic. You are equally guilty.

    I say The 1910 Fruitgum Company and The Archies are more distinctly American.

  35. 35.

    Comrade Baron Elmo

    January 9, 2010 at 7:53 am

    As a lifelong connoisseur of vintage soul, I can recognize a Willie Mitchell production within five seconds. His brooding string arrangements are one of a kind, and he utilized a slightly countryish guitar sound to great effect — which might explain why Al could cover Hank Williams, Willie Nelson and Ray Price so superbly.

    Willie and Al cut a lot of great ones, but the cold crushers for this devotee are 1973’s Call Me and 1971’s Al Green Gets Next to You. Don’t just settle for the hits collections, friends… there is buried treasure galore on every one of the Green/Mitchell albums.

    (For any wannabe completist who has the balls: there are three import budget-priced double CD sets that contain four Al Green albums apiece, plus non lp singles and B-sides… twelve albums total, not one dipping below B-plus quality.)

  36. 36.

    wobbly

    January 9, 2010 at 8:30 am

    Liam Clancy died a few weeks ago and none of you kids even noticed.

  37. 37.

    Will

    January 9, 2010 at 8:49 am

    If Al Green’s voice made him the most accomplished and commercially successful soul singer of the 1970s, it was the thrilling production and sensuous arrangements of Willie Mitchell that fashioned his hit sound.

    I love Al Green. I did not realize he was the most successful soul singer of the 1970’s. I guess it’s all in how you define “soul”.

  38. 38.

    Montysano

    January 9, 2010 at 9:21 am

    @Will:

    Willie and Al cut a lot of great ones, but the cold crushers for this devotee are 1973’s Call Me and 1971’s Al Green Gets Next to You. Don’t just settle for the hits collections, friends… there is buried treasure galore on every one of the Green/Mitchell albums.

    There’s a lot of good advice in those two sentences. Never, never settle for greatest hits collections…. by anyone. And yeah: “Al Green Gets Next To You” is a killer. “I’m a ram, yes I am”……. music-for-fucking, without a doubt. Awesome album cover. Also. The Hi Rhythm Section was one of the greatest house bands ever.

    Don’t forget Mitchell’s work with Ann Peebles. “Tear Your Playhouse Down” is one of the great soul singles of the ’70s.

  39. 39.

    tjproudamerican

    January 9, 2010 at 10:13 am

    you rote:

    ‘I can’t explain this, but to me, the thing in the world that is most distinctly American is music like Al Green’s stuff from the 70s.

    yes!!!!!! well said. That ‘I cannot explain’ is the area where artists, especially novelists and filmmakers, should explore for us.

    thanks Willie Mitchell and salute DougJ!!!

  40. 40.

    King Quaker

    January 9, 2010 at 11:10 am

    For anyone who would like to get a taste of the full stable of artists and music that came out on the “Hi” label I would recommend a 3 disc set called “Hi Times – The Hi Records R&B Years”.
    In addition to all of Brother Al’s hits it has great songs by Ann Peebles; Syl Johnson; Otis Clay; O.V. Wright; George Jackson; many instrumentals by Willie and his band, plus many others.
    It is amazing that at the same time and place (Memphis 1960’s and 70’s) you could find 2 rhythm sections so good. At Stax you had Booker T (organ), Al Jackson (drums), Steve Cropper (guitar), Donald (Duck) Dunn (bass). At Hi you had Howard Grimes (drums), Leroy (Flick) Hodges (bass), Charles Hodges (organ), Mabon (Teenie) Hodges (guitar). The Hodges’ were brothers. Teenie was so called because he joined the band as a teenager. He gets co-writing credit on many of Al Green’s hits and sits in occasionally with Paul Schaefer’s outfit on the Letterman show.

    Thank you Willie.

  41. 41.

    OriGuy

    January 9, 2010 at 2:17 pm

    @wobbly: It was mentioned here. I think Anne Laurie talked about it.

  42. 42.

    SB Jules

    January 9, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    Thanks for reminding me–spent last evening listening to Al Green’s greatest hits.

  43. 43.

    Death Panel Truck

    January 9, 2010 at 5:05 pm

    I can’t explain this, but to me, the thing in the world that is most distinctly American is music like Al Green’s stuff from the 70s.

    Yeah, because that whole genre of music they call jazz, that originated in Iceland.

  44. 44.

    Comrade Baron Elmo

    January 9, 2010 at 5:26 pm

    For anyone who would like to get a taste of the full stable of artists and music that came out on the “Hi” label I would recommend a 3 disc set called “Hi Times – The Hi Records R&B Years”.

    KIng Quaker speaks wisdom here. An excellent choice.

    Don’t forget Mitchell’s work with Ann Peebles. “Tear Your Playhouse Down” is one of the great soul singles of the ‘70s.

    Montysano articulates the truth. Ann Peebles rules.

  45. 45.

    Comrade Baron Elmo

    January 9, 2010 at 5:32 pm

    I love Al Green. I did not realize he was the most successful soul singer of the 1970’s. I guess it’s all in how you define “soul”.

    Stevie Wonder definitely outsold him, but I’d say that Al bested Stevie in terms of quality. Some of the Wonder 70’s catalog sounds kinda dated and, dare I say it, a bit overbaked all these years later… though Talking Book remains a soul masterpiece. Er, Innervisions too.

  46. 46.

    Thoughtcrime

    January 9, 2010 at 6:45 pm

    @LanceThruster:

    I always felt the Talking Heads arrangement for their cover of “Take Me To The River” sounded quite like another cut from “Al Green Explores Your Mind”, the song “One Night Stand”. Check it out.

  47. 47.

    Comrade Baron Elmo

    January 9, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    Al Green liked the Heads’ version of “Take Me to the River” so much that he vowed to cover one of their songs in return, but never did… a pity, because the tune “Happy Day,” from the first Talking Heads album, sounds as if it were written expressly for him.

  48. 48.

    LanceThruster

    January 10, 2010 at 6:56 pm

    Will check out all your suggestions. Covers are an interesting aspect of the recording industry. I grew up thinking that all early Stones and Beatles were originals (as many kids nowadays still do). I also used to think that only the original artists could do justice to the music until I bought greatest hits packages advertising “Original Artists” that had some really shitty new arrangements because they didn’t have the rights to their original recording and had to redo them to make a buck off it. It’s tragic that the creators of some of the greatest music ever stolen quite often lived like paupers because they signed away the rights cheap, while savvy one-hit wonders now can live off the royalties of a single hit record.

    I also now enjoy multiple interpretations of great songs, even when dramtically different in style. Devo/Stones “Satisfaction”, Ronettes/Ramones (but not f*ckin’ Andy Kim’s) “Baby I Love You”, Beatles/Cocker “Came in Through the Bathroom Window”, “Last Kiss” by that guy and those other guys….etc. Plus I like the Stones “Country Honk” better than I ever liked “Honky Tonk Women”

    A particularly sweet find in my collection is a Stones tribute by various blues artists called “Paint it Blue” put out by the House of Blues. Check out their versions of “Satisfaction” and “Tumbling Dice” (reminds me that I also left out the good Linda Rondstadt covers).

    Finally, I also enjoy when the artists rework their own material (usually only for live shows thoug occasioally rereleased). Bryan Ferry blew me away with a kind of up-tempo rumba version to “Slave to Love” that makes me smile just to think about it. Many other examples in that regard, particularly how thin and “unmenacing” the studio version of “Midnight Rambler” is compared to the the live version it became.

    Obviously, musical tastes are as personal as food tastes, but I always appreciate the recomendations by other people sharing their favorites and rarities.

  49. 49.

    Stevie G

    January 12, 2010 at 3:11 pm

    http://djstevieg.podomatic.com/entry…11_00_38-08_00

    The legend that is Willie Mitchell passed away last Tuesday. He was an amazing musician and producer for over 50 years and even recently he was making great records. Al Green, Ann Peebles, O.V. Wright, Syl Johnson and many more benefited from his unique southern soul sound, and I love his music so much that I’ve gathered some of my favourites together in a mix that I broadcast on my Black on Red show last Saturday, paying homage to a musical legend. If you like this please go and investigate further his amazing catalogue and delve deeper into the work of these great singers. Some of this music is well known, while much of it is under-rated and under-recognised, despite heavy sampling from the likes of the RZA. It deserves a wider audience. Willie Mitchell R.I.P.

    Love And Happiness Al Green
    Call me Al Green
    Tired Of Being Alone Al Green
    i’m still in love with you Al Green
    Let’s Stay Together Al Green
    I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down Ann Peebles
    Anyone But You Syl Johnson
    All Because Al Green
    Come To Mama Ann Peebles
    Get Back Baby Al Green
    Trying to Live My Life Without You O.V. Wright
    You Say It Al Green
    you ought to be with me Al Green
    I Want to Hold Your Hand Al Green
    Let It Shine Al Green
    L.o.v.e. Al Green
    If I Could Reach Out Otis Clay
    I Only Have Love Syl Johnson
    Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy) Al Green
    Gotta Find a New World Al Green
    lets get married Al Green
    full of fire Al Green
    Take Me to the River Syl Johnson
    take me to the river Al Green
    Back For A Taste Of Your Love Syl Johnson
    Keep Me Cryin’ Al Green
    Young People Willie Mitchell
    Slipped, Tripped And Fell In Love Ann Peebles
    That Ain’t Right Woman Don Bryant
    The Champion Willie Mitchell
    That Driving Beat Willie Mitchell/Various
    My Babe Willie Mitchell
    Groovin’ Willie Mitchell
    Soul Serenade Willie Mitchell
    True Love Al Green
    Star Bright Star Lite Syl Johnson
    Here I Am (Come And Take Me) Al Green
    I’ve Never Found A Girl Al Green
    look what you done for me Al Green
    Don’t Do It Syl Johnson
    Keepin’ Down Confusion Syl Johnson
    livin for you Al Green
    So Good to Be Here Al Green
    Nickle And A Nail O.V. Wright
    A Long Road O.V. Wright
    For The Good Times Al Green
    Let’s Straighten It Out O.V. Wright
    Trouble, Heartaches & Sadness Ann Peebles
    I Can’t Stand The Rain Ann Peebles
    I’m Glad You’re Mine Al Green
    Strong As Death (Sweet As Love) Al Green
    Could I Be Fallin’ In Love Syl Johnson
    I Can’t Get Next to You Al Green
    A Little More Time O.V. Wright
    How can you mend a broken heart? Al Green

    also free download of my Stevie Wonder documentary too

    http://djstevieg.podomatic.com/entry…11_27_29-08_00

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