(March 29, 2021) Brothers Al and Ty Chestnut, known professionally as The Chestnut Brothers, are two musicians with a mission. That mission is to use their music to spread love. Sometimes that mission leads them to make romantic tunes like the ballad “Come To Me.” Other times the brothers feel compelled to write songs like “Traveling On,” a spirit filled number where they declare their faith that God’s love will allow them to overcome all challenges as they make their way through life. Then there is “Stop the Violence,” a cut that has become The Chestnut Brothers’ theme song. On that song, their love for the community and their people compels them to write a song about the violence that they see and announce their desire to make a change.
Those are all original numbers, but the brothers give their take on a soul music standard for their latest release. The Rev. Al Green released the classic “Let’s Stay Together” back in 1972. The original, with its tight horns, and Green’s voice straddling the line between Saturday night and Sunday morning, is the definitive of the Memphis sound as produced by Hi Records. “Let’s Stay Together” is one of those tracks that conjures up good times. Backyard picnics on summer weekends or a bunch of friends having a good time at a card party.
That’s the spirit that Al and Ty Chestnut want to capture on this upbeat version that has the sound of 1980s keyboard driving funk fused with a little 1970s blues guitar work. While the song is about two people trying to hang in there through all the ups and downs that come with a relationship, it perhaps carries a deeper meaning during this time of national unrest and reckoning. Still Al and Ty Chestnut think “Let’s Stay Together” is the musical balm that people need.
They tell us, “In light of the prevailing climate of social, political and racial unrest, there has been so much division amongst the masses. So, the objective for releasing our rendition of this all-time classic is to conjure happy feelings & togetherness. In essence, the Chestnut Brothers are back and we’re all about love.” Check the tune out here.
By Howard Dukes
The Chestnut Brothers – “Let’s Stay Together”
