By Timothy Cox
For Soul Tracks
BALTIMORE, MD — The Rev. Al Green’s suburban Baltimore concert was about a half-hour shorter than his scheduled 90-minute show. But during impromptu surveys, after the show – nearly 100 percent of the attendees were more than satisfied, and offered no angst about the Rev. Al’s brief performance.
On Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, the Betheas of Baltimore, were part of the 4,000-capacity crowd who filled the seats at the HALL at Live Casino & Hotel in Hanover, Maryland to witness the Al Green show, billed as the ‘Let’s Stay Together’ tour. Cathy “Dinah” Bethea, who attended the show with her husband of 43 years, Michael Bethea, was one of the lucky ladies given a traditional red rose, as Green has delivered since the early 1970s. “Afterall, he didn’t have to come here,” said Mrs. Bethea. “We were just happy to see him,” she said.
Brief show or not, the Forest City, Arkansas native delivered what the people came for – extraordinarily soulful vocals that’s garnered him Rock and Roll Hall of Fame status (1995). His setlist included “Take Me To The River,” “Let’s Stay Together,” the Bee Gees-penned “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart,” “Still In Love With You,” and his breakthrough 1971 debut hit, “Tired of Being Alone.”
He sprinkled conversation with audience members in between tunes. And during a mid-point of the show, he sang odes to Motown with “I Can’t Help Myself” and “My Girl;” an ode to Thom Bell and Philly Soul via “You Are Everything,” and an ode to his Memphis mentor, Otis Redding, via “I Been Loving You Too Long.” The odes were short snippets, but oh so sweet and immediately evoked fun-filled crowd response and sing-alongs. The Kris Kristofferson-composed ballad, “For The Good Times,” was also a crowd-favorite on this Friday evening.
Backed by a full-sound rhythm section, the players included a three-piece horn section and a melodic three-member backing vocals – a la Rhodes Chalmers & Rhodes, Green’s session backup vocalists at HI Records in Memphis.
One observer named Cheryl the Pearl of southeast Washington, DC, said she thought the Rev. appeared to have experienced some discomfort at one point in the show. “He looked out of breath, and grimaced in pain,” she said. At one point he told the audience, he was experiencing sore knees. After all, the man is no spring chicken and it’s just amazing that he’s still doing his “old music thing,” a la Anthony Hamilton. Green completed the gig with his signature tune, “Let’s Stay Together,” waved to his audience – and without fanfare, slowly walked off the stage – with not one request for an encore.
It was as if the audience sensed that the man had given his all and showtime was over. Plus, given the general age group of the audience, they were probably ready to go home too!
A Columbia, Maryland couple known as Brother Rodney Moore, 67 and longtime wife, Diona aka “Mary Elizabeth,” said they loved the show, but were unhappy with security treatment. “We were two-stepping in the aisle and some tall security guy made us stop,” said Mr. Moore. “We weren’t blocking anyone’s view because we were in the aisle. I spent 500 dollars for these two tickets,” Mr. Moore said. “Still, to me, the show was spiritual,” said Mr. Moore, referring to Green’s 1983 gospel-crossover hit, “Jesus is Coming Back.”“We love Al Green,” he added. “He’s a living legend.”
One hilarious moment occurred when the singer delivered roses to audience members on three occasions during his show. One gentleman approached the stage all three times, but Rev. Al ignored him every time. You’d have to assume the guy was probably trying to secure a rose for his wife or significant other, but Rev. Al wasn’t feeling it. So therefore: No visible woman, no rose gift.
Overall, the performance was one of a kind. But based on his obvious weight gain, the legend was forced to sit on a stool for a good bit of his show. Of course, he’s no longer the svelte sex symbol of the mid-’70s – but, then again, who is? And his senior-citizen audience could relate, and obviously approved of his effort – especially for someone born on April 13, 1946, making him 79 years old.
Therefore, keep on rockin’ and rollin’ Reverend Al, whose birth name happens to be Albert Leornes Greene. He omitted the final “e” in his surname for professional reasons.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: According to his schedule, the Rev. Al Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together’ tour continues on Oct. 2 at Yaamava Resort and Casino in San Manuel, California; Oct. 4 with special guests, The War & Treaty, at YouTube Theater, Hollywood Park, California; Nov. 7-9, at Arizona Jazz Festival (Phoenix) with Babyface, Charlie Wilson, 112, Robin Thicke and more.
(ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Timothy Cox is a veteran journalist and professional musician having played gospel and secular gigs in Baltimore, Knoxville, Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Augusta, GA. He can be reached at [email protected]. He is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists {NABJ}.)
