Full of Fire

by Jason EliasFull of Fire is the second to last '70s effort that Al Green co-produced with Willie Mitchell. While much of Green's previous work (I'm Still in Love With You, Call Me, Al Green Explores Your Mind) spotlighted Green's skill at doing songs filled with romance and longing, on Full of Fire he's more concerned with his burgeoning religious nature. Although that may seem slightly boring, the album is better structured and, as a whole, comes off even better than Al Green Is Love. The first track, "Glory, Glory," sneaks in religion so deftly that even Willie Mitchell probably didn't even get it until the track was done. One of the few romantic tracks, the sweet and old-fashioned "Always," has him coming in soft with much charm. "I'd Fly Away" and "Soon as I Get Home" both have Green fantasizing about heaven, but they're both spacey rather than morbid. The last track, the hard-edged "Let It Shine" is enlivened by Howard Grimes' patently surprising drumming. Although Green isn't always all there on Full of Fire, his co-production with Mitchell and the playing of Hi Rhythm makes this an essential offering.