Not so lonesome

After all these years, legendary soul performer Al Green isn’t resting on his laurels. His passionate international fanbase wouldn’t even let him if he tried.

Green is the charismatic singer-songwriter who made his name with sensual hits like “Tired of Being Alone” and “Let’s Stay Together” in the 1970s and went on to become an important name in gospel recordings of the ’80s.

And with all of that, he is still touring the world, making new music and presiding over his congregation at the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Memphis, Tenn., in his role as an ordained reverend.

Green makes a stop in Washington this weekend to make up for his snow-canceled February dates. He’ll be at D.A.R. Constitution Hall  today and tomorrow.

“I think that’s the home crowd,” Green said about performing in Washington. “I grew up singing to Washington, Baltimore.”

Green has been singing for so long, he can’t quite remember exactly when he started.

“When did I first start singing?” Green asked himself. “I have no idea. I started hollerin’ a long time ago. I’ve been hollerin’ ever since. I think somebody stepped on my toe.”

When The Diamondback talked with Green in February, he had just returned home from performing in New Zealand to what he described as a very Al-hungry crowd.

“The people in New Zealand wouldn’t leave the theater!” Green said. “They had to start blinking the lights so the people would go home. They were waiting on Al to come back!

“‘He ain’t done, man, he gotta sing “Call Me” yet! And “You Ought To Be With Me”! Where do he think he going?’” Green added, imitating the New Zealand crowd. “I just played for an hour [and] 40 minutes, man, I’m [tired]! The folks wouldn’t leave, so they start turning the lights out!”

When asked about his involvement in the church, Green started exclaiming with shock, “I’m a preacher! I’m a preacher!”

“What you is writing about is a preacher coming to Washington, D.C. to the Constitution Hall for two nights,” Green said, steadfast on how very much involved in the church he is.

“That’s what you writin’ about! And I’m willing to lay it down, let it go, fall in love, love and happiness, good times. How can you mend a broken heart? That’s what I’m gonna do!”

As for gospel music, Green said he was currently writing the framework for an album with “a timpani type of backbeat” but with an R&B feel. He predicts the album will be released this summer.

Not surprisingly, being a reverend has affected Green’s songwriting.

“[My role as a pastor is bound] to have a profound work because I don’t have anything else to write about,” Green said. “It’s like when the big man say what he’s got to say, ain’t nobody else got nothing else to say. So I can’t say nothing else but what the big man has already said, you see? I ain’t got no new stories for you, baby. I’ve just got love and happiness.”

Even with all of his religious duties, Green is still very much a music man. But when asked what type of music he was currently listening to, his answers allowed for the frightening image of Green rocking out to Miley Cyrus and Ke$ha.

“I have to listen to everything,” Green said. “Whether I like it or not. I’m in the business.

And I’m too far in the business to have my head out of the business — I’m too far into everything to have my head out of it. So my head is in the business and I have to listen to the rappers and the singers, and the this and the that, and this group and this new group and all the rest of it. I have to hear it all. Because I’m a participant, and so, therefore I have to listen. I have to hear it.

“I don’t have a single favorite of anything. I just like whatever the man play on the radio. It doesn’t matter to me.”

So whether you’re a pop devotee or a gospel fanatic, Green has you covered.

If you’re ready to lay it down, let it go and fall in love this weekend, you know where Green will be.

Al Green will perform at D.A.R. Constitution Hall tonight and tomorrow. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $70 for tonight and $75 for tomorrow.

rhiggins@umdbk.com