SEXTUPLE EXTRA FIG JAM

Al Green - Unchained Melody

The seventh track from the 1973 album Livin‘ for You, Mr. Green’s “Unchained Melody” resists the emotional bombast of the Righteous Brothers‘ Phil Spector-produced version - here Willie Mitchell uses his previous template of “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” (guitar, strings, female back-up singers against metronymic backbeat), except here Mr. Green curbs his vocal to a near recitation of the lyrics. Milky, but not cutting. The Hi Records rhythm section plays with the utmost discipline and zero panache. Precision that almost calls attention to itself. I would have loved to play drums in that band..

1,254 stars out of 1,300 stars.

Al Hibbler - Danny Boy

An exquisite come on lifted from the old Irish traditional by a jazz singer with a dripping baritone. “Oh Danny boy, I love you so,” Mr. Hibbler sings, and puts it across so mellifluously and convincingly you almost think he’s making fun, until the second verse when his lungs infuse the vocal with sincerity. Sad in the best way, reminding you that once you, too, loved.

3,567,385,874 stars out of 4,332,223,786 stars.

Al Martino - Spanish Eyes

They don’t make them like they used to. And for good reason. Mind-boggling old lady bait (since when are Spanish eyes in old Mexico blue?) with show-offy vocal that soars less like a proud eagle than a mylar balloon let go purposefully. It seems the producer was trying to get at some kind of “Mexicany” type arrangement, but the whole works is completely white bread. Except the electric guitar buried way deep in the mix, flashing brilliant-like in sneaky passages - ultimately, it sacrifices itself for a lost cause.

0 stars out of 1,000,000.