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Soul Survivor: A Biography of Al Green Hardcover – August 29, 2017

by Jimmy McDonough (Author)

4.4 114 ratings

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The bestselling author of Shakey: Neil Young's Biography presents the first in-depth biography of the legendary soul singer Al Green.

Al Green has blessed listeners with some of the biggest hits of the past fifty years. "Love and Happiness," "I'm Still in Love with You," "Let's Get Married," and "I'm Tired of Being Alone" are but a sampling of the iconic songs that led a generation to embrace love in perhaps the most tumultuous period in this country's history, an unparalleled body of work that has many calling Green one of the greatest soul singers of all time. The music legend has sold over 20 million albums and been sampled by numerous rappers, and even President Obama has been known to sing a chorus or two. The now-Bishop Green is without a doubt one of the most beloved yet inscrutable figures ever to grace the popular music stage, and he has managed to magically sidestep being successfully scrutinized in print. Until now.

Acclaimed journalist and author Jimmy McDonough expertly tackles this most elusive of subjects and aims to present readers with the definitive portrait of a man everyone knows but few understand. McDonough manages to break through Green's joyous veneer to reveal the contrary, tortured, and solitary individual beneath, a man who spent decades dancing an uneasy tightrope between the sacred and the profane. From his childhood in the backwaters of Arkansas to commanding the stage in front of throngs of lusting fans to addressing a very different audience from the pulpit of his own church, readers will bear witness to the creation of some of the most electrifying soul music ever recorded; learn the hitherto untold real story behind Green's colorful down-home Memphis label, Hi Records; and--by way of countless in-depth interviews with major players in the story, some speaking for the very first time -- unravel one of the last great mysteries in popular music: Al Green.

Print length

432 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Da Capo Press
Publication date

August 29, 2017
Dimensions

6.38 x 1.25 x 9.63 inches
ISBN-10

0306822679
ISBN-13

978-0306822674
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Making the complexities of past subjects like Neil Young seem quaint by comparison, Jimmy McDonough has taken on the challenge of a lifetime: explaining the enduring mystery of Al Green. A compulsively readable and often disquieting tale, Soul Survivor helps us understand the mass of contradictions that comprise the Reverend's life story, as well as the warring factions that continue to battle within his heart and mind. A truly remarkable look at Al Green's soul--the music and the man."--Bob Mehr, author of Trouble Boys: The True Story of the Replacements

"Deacon McDonough scrutinizes the inscrutable and finds many Al Greens. The man revealed may not be as beautiful as his voice, but he's every bit as astonishing. McDonough dives deep, bringing us the songs, the players, the loves, and the tragedies. This is a book where the surprises never end."--Robert Gordon, author of Respect Yourself: Stax Records and the Soul Explosion

"Incisive."
―Kirkus

"In great detail, journalist McDonough traces Green's career...[His] sharp critical insights into Green's albums and songs energize the book."
―Publishers Weekly

"A gripping read."
―Memphis Flyer

"McDonough's riveting, richly detailed book dives into the deep, complex, tangled, tortured history of the man considered by many as one of the towering soul artists of the 20th century."―Parade

"Soul Survivor is masterful and exhaustively researched, and will be as close as a reader gets to knowing a practically unknowable artist."
―Houston Press

"Soul Survivor covers every twist and turn in the life and times of [Al Green]....a compelling and exhaustively detailed account."
―Pop Matters

"Wildly entertaining."―Wall Street Journal

"This thrilling biography not only takes you to the river, it'll wash you in the water as well."

―The Morton Report

"Readers who love the music (and who doesn't?) will enjoy the book."―Library Journal

"Strap yourself in for a jolting ride of love, happiness, betrayal, cruelty, musical enrichment, and ultimately, loneliness."―Soul Tracks

"[Soul Survivor] does an admirable job reconciling Green's complicated nature with his untouchable, influential catalog."―Salon.com, ?The 30 must-read music books of Fall 2017?

"By combining wildly imaginative prose with thorough research and musical and historical expertise, the scribe-and his compelling subject-hold one's attention happily hostage."―MOJO

"McDonough's career has been defined by not only a string of inscrutable subjects, but an ability to kick up a fuss wherever he goes...It feels as if Soul Survivor could be his defining work...[it] is about the most comprehensive and rewarding account of an endlessly intriguing life imaginable."
―Record Collector

"McDonough, a tireless journalist, explores this enigmatic and at times unlikable genius in greater depth than ever before."―Chicago Tribune

"Soul Survivor's primary virtue is McDonough's tough-minded but ultimately compassionate portrait of one of the giants of 20th century popular music in all his unfathomable complexity."―Living Blues

About the Author

Jimmy McDonough is a journalist and biographer best known for his biographies of Tammy Wynette, Neil Young, Russ Meyer, and Andy Milligan. McDonough lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Da Capo Press; First ed; First Printing edition (August 29, 2017)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0306822679
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0306822674
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.43 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.38 x 1.25 x 9.63 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #681,018 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #131 in R&B & Soul
- #242 in R&B & Soul Artist Biographies
- #6,076 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies

Customer Reviews:
4.4 114 ratings

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Jimmy McDonough

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Jimmy McDonough's biography of Neil Young, Shakey, was critically acclaimed The New York Times bestseller. He has also written biographies of Russ Meyer and Andy Milligan, and has written for publications including The Village Voice and Variety.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5

114 global ratings

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Steven Hugh Wilson

Jimmy McDonough is quickly becoming my favorite author. He wrote the best book written about ...

Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2018

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Jimmy McDonough is quickly becoming my favorite author. He wrote the best book written about Neil Young & the best piece ever written about Link Wray. Like those works "Soul Survivor" is well-written, well-researched and a pleasure to read. I appreciated his research into HI Records & Willie Mitchell as it was very relevant to defining Al Green as a recording artist.
This was not an easy endeavor for McDonough since Green is loath to give interviews and did not cooperate at all in the writing of this book.
McDonough lifts all rocks and looks underneath. He does his homework and puts together a very cohesive and serious journalistic effort.
It's well worth the read.

8 people found this helpful

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Erika

Throughly enjoyed

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2017

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A beautifully written and well researched biography that had me revisiting a lot of great old songs. Filled with wonderful detail and anecdotes that add a lot of color to the story. As a whole this biography is not the typical what a great guy music biography that we've all read a million times. I find a more nuanced approach such as this one to be so much more satisfying. This is the REAL story of Al Green and boy is it chilling!

9 people found this helpful

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tikcuf

still can't get next to you

Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2017

This is a biography of Al Green, considered by many to be one of the greatest singers and songwriters in American pop music history. The book thoroughly covers the early days of the Memphis music scene as well as Al Green's pop and gospel careers, and his background and personal life.

Unfortunately, Mr. Green did not cooperate with the the author of this book, Jimmy McDonough, who therefore had to rely on secondary sources. Fortunately, Mr. McDonough is an excellent writer and the book is exceptionally well researched. Mr. McDonough is obviously a fan, and the book was clearly a labor of love. The author also has an understanding of music theory which allows him to explain in more technical terms some of the nuances of Al Green's sound.

Prospective readers of this book should be forewarned that a substantial proportion of the book deals somewhat peripherally with Al Green. specifically much of the book - particularly in the early chapters - digresses extensively into the history of "the memphis sound", of which Al Green was probably its most famous proponent, as well as with other individuals, bands, and events that were in Al Green's orbit. These include, in particular, his ingenious producer, Willie Mitchell who, it could be said, did for Al Green what George Martin did for the Beatles, and his back-up band "Hi Rhythm", especially his guitarist and songwriting collaborator Teeny Hodges.

Al Green is apparently a reclusive individual and - at least as portrayed in the book - a rather odd, and at times bizarre and anti-social one at that, who had a very unstable and, in some respects, tragic personal life. As prodigious as his talents were, he is not portrayed as an otherwise particularly interesting or deep individual, just a perplexing one. Readers may be left feeling unsatisfied with their understanding of Al Green after reading this book but this may be more the result of the inscrutable nature of its subject, rather than any shortcomings of its author. Despite the difficulties of Al Green as the subject of a biographical study, I suspect this book will stand as the definitive biography of him.

10 people found this helpful

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CoachDaveK

Richly detailed, wildly entertaining

Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2017

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Jimmy McDonough's biography of Al Green is thoroughly researched, richly detailed and wildly entertaining. It portrays a gifted, if deeply flawed, singer who catapulted to stardom in the 1970s. The author captures the depths of Green's immaturity while explaining his once-in-a-lifetime talent.

7 people found this helpful

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D.F. Shuo

McDonough’s Al Green

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2018

Verified Purchase

Al Green's biography is encoded in his recordings, the sound(s) of his voice(s), and in his live performances and church activities. Jimmy McDonough provides raw facts, doctored by the needs, projections, and fantasies of author himself and those he interviewed. McDonough's analysis of Green's music, though not without passion and intelligence, pales in comparison to Robert Christgau's.

2 people found this helpful

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Gina

If only half this book is true...big huge sigh

Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2018

Verified Purchase

I was once his biggest fan until I read this....so sad. I almost do not want to hear his music anymore

5 people found this helpful

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Eddie Brown Jr

Buck

Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2019

Good book

In-depth tell all book

Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2018

Verified Purchase

Very telling and interesting. I couldn't put it down.

3 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Well-researched!

Reviewed in Canada on April 22, 2018

Verified Purchase

Well-researched book. Really liked the Hi studios stuff. I might like Al a little bit less after reading, this, but he's still a brilliant singer and performer.

Mario Gibellini

Una splendida biografia di Al Green!

Reviewed in Italy on August 26, 2019

Verified Purchase

Leggo da molti anni biografie (e autobiografie) di musicisti rock, rock'n'roll, R&B e country, ma questa biografia del Reverendo (dal '77) Al Green è una delle migliori che abbia mei letto.
L'autore, Jimmy McDonough, americano, ha già pubblicato la vita di Tammy Wynette - Tragic country queen, che mi accingo a leggere, e 2 anni fa questa nuova opera, 300 pagine, su questo grande della soul / R&B music.
La dote in più rispetto ad opere analoghe è lo spazio dedicato alla musica: inizi, tutti gli album, studi di registrazione, Memphis e la Hi Records, i concerti, il gospel, ecc., il tutto basato su racconti dello stesso Al Green e dei suoi musicisti.
L'inglese è più che comprensibile, e leggerlo ascoltando man mano i CD in ordine è una doppia soddisfazione.
Credo che considererò la sua biografia di Neil Young.

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Mr. Alan J. Shellard

Superb body of work

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 24, 2017

Verified Purchase

This is not just a book about Al Green it's also about Hi records, Hi Rhythm and Willie Mitchell. It's a long book but it needed to be as it covers it's subjects in great detail. I loved the book I can say no more than that. Fantastic!

Ramon in Toronto.

Soulful Demon

Reviewed in Canada on March 15, 2018

Verified Purchase

Insightful synopsis of the duality inherent in the brilliance of a divinely gifted and pioneering artist combined with an absolute, perhaps necessary, scourge of a human being.
Truth be told, in the end the Reverend is still loved for his art if not for his character.

Mr John

Great - Buy it.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 25, 2018

Verified Purchase

Great book and excellent service from The Book Depository.

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