Personnel includes: Al Green (vocals); Teenie Hodges (guitar); James Mitchell (saxophone); Wayne Jackson (trumpet); Jack Hale (trombone); Archie Turner, Charles Hodges (keyboards); Leroy Hodges (bass); Al Jackson (drums); Charlie Chalmers, Sandy Rhodes (background vocals).

Recorded in Memphis, Tennesee. Originally released on Hi (32055). Includes liner notes by Colin Escott.

GREEN IS BLUES is Al Green's debut and was the opening shot of a career that included million-selling records, a run of hits and the unofficial passing of the soul mantle from Otis Redding to Green. Although almost half of BLUES consists of covers, all are tattooed by Al Green's unique singing style. Smokey Robinson's "My Girl" and The Beatles' "Get Back" both benefit from Green's impassioned phrasing and producer Willie Mitchell's solid horn arrangements. The novice vocalist even manages to inject a degree of desperation into the Box Tops' "The Letter" not found in the original.

Green Gospel's influence found its way onto this record in the shape of a testimonial reading of Jerry Butler's "I Stand Accused" and the fascinating introspection of "Gotta Find A New World." The two songs Green had a hand in composing, "Tomorrow's Dream" (co-written with Mitchell) and "Get Back Baby" point the way towards later songwriting successes such as "Tired Of Being Alone." The former is a tight pop number with a percolating bassline whereas the latter is funkier, a la James Brown.

Rolling Stone (3/6/03, p.72) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...It has killer moments..."