By SDCN Editor
Los Angeles, CA –Eleven-time Grammy award-winning soul icon and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Al Green returns with his first new single in five years.
A simmering and soulful cover of Lou Reed’s 1972 classic “Perfect Day”—originally produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson. Now, it heralds the dawn of Green’s next chapter.
“I loved Lou’s original ‘Perfect Day.’ The song immediately puts you in a good mood. We wanted to preserve that spirit, while adding our own sauce and style,” Al Green commented.
During February 2023, Al Green recorded “Perfect Day” at Sam Phillips Recording in Memphis, TN. The track is produced by Matthew Johnson and Bruce Watson. Green notably reunited with members of the classic Hi Rhythm Section who powered up some of his most seminal hits from the seventies. The track finds him back with Reverend Charles Hodges [organ], Leroy Hodges [bass], and Archie “Hubbie” Turner [piano] for the first time since 2005, while Steve Potts [drums] and Will Sexton [guitar] also return. Adding new blood to the mix, the single also features U.K. alternative R&B artist Raye on background vocals. Over a backdrop of lush cinematic strings, swooning organ, and eloquent guitar, Green’s instantly recognizable voice simply soars, ringing out on the final crescendo as he promises, “You’re gonna reap just what you sow,” in a call-and-response with Raye.
“I’ll be looking for everybody that has heard “Love and Happiness” and “Let’s Stay Together” at the concert tours,” Green said.
“Perfect Day” notably follows his 2018 cover of Freddy Fender’s “Before The Next Teardrop Falls.” Billboard hailed it as “a cover that put a rejuvenating spin on the country classic while still managing to maintain its original and vulnerable beauty,” and NPR proclaimed, “The Reverend Al Green has long shown music lovers what it means to be blessed by the presence of a great voice.”
Al Green recently played two packed shows in July with a first-time performance at the Yaamava’ Theater in Highland, CA on September 30.
