14 Comments

Before you got to Marc Cohn, l was going to say that the closest I've been to Memphis or Al Green was seeing Cohn in a Manhattan club in 1991 sing "Reverend Green / be glad to see ya / when you haven't got a prayer." So this was a huge treat. I'm glad to hear that the Bishop's vocals are strong. Your treatment of the sermon put me in stitches in the most reverent and respectful way. (I think I sound like that to my students. I know I sound like that to my kids.) I can only say, "God bless us, every one" and "There are more things in heaven and Earth, Horatio, / Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." Thank you for sharing your good - what, luck? grace? - of a close-up with the man in his beloved place. Mmm-mmm.

Expand full comment

I know the Cohn song is cheesy but I tear up every time I hear it, like the big sap I am.

Expand full comment

Oh my goodness, me too! Cheese is marvelous, on a plate or in a microphone. A few olives, some crackers. Delicious.

Expand full comment

Apologies to that fine man Ricky Ross and my journo colleague Jane Hamilton whose kind comments on this piece ended up on another Jaggy Thistle thread entirely, because I am an idiot and put in a wonky hyperlink. Like I say, an idiot.

Expand full comment

Lovely piece again. The usual combination of rich knowledge, I really did not know that moments and warm humanity. Rev Green was pure class. Off to listen to him and I’ll chuck in some Sam and Dave as well. This sub just gets better.

Expand full comment

Too kind! Many thanks, Niall. Much appreciated.

Expand full comment

No accurate! Something to look forward to in an Inbox full of the 21 Century. Makes a v nice change Kenny.

Expand full comment

I hope Al sees this, just a lovely tribute

When I eventually get to America, despite being an atheist a Black Church has always been high on my list

Expand full comment

Another great piece, Kenny. Thoroughly enjoyable to read and listen to. And yes, I confess (quietly) to being a sucker for Marc Cohn’s first album too. Thanks so much for sharing this experience.

P.S. What did you use to capture the video and audio in the church? Was it the Fujifilm X100V?

Expand full comment

Cohn is a guilty pleasure! No, the video was just on my iPhone SE!

Expand full comment

I’m a big Al Green fan and found this a great piece but about the same time as it landed in my in box I was listening to Walking in Memphis in a Cardiff pub! How spooky is that?

Expand full comment

Now that is weird..

Expand full comment

Wonderful piece Kenny

Expand full comment

Cheers, Ally!

Expand full comment