Acclaimed music producer, performer, and musician Willie Mitchell passed away yesterday at the age of 82.
He created a singular soul sound at Hi Records, with a superb group of house musicians, that propelled Al Green to stardom and produced some of the finest soul music of the 70’s from artists like Ann Peebles, O. V. Wright, Syl Johnson, Otis Clay, and others.
Here is a small sample of his legacy:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiOIFHSFp9w[/youtube]
Ann Peebles- “I Can’t Stand the Rain”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edN7zL54RCc[/youtube]
Ann Peebles- “I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2MsF3sTftg[/youtube]
O. V. Wright- “A Nickel & a Nail”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-6YmhHnLI4[/youtube]
O. V. Wright- “Ace of Spade”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hQ37rocXf8[/youtube]
Otis Clay- “Tryin’ to Live My Life Without You”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy6OVlXriR8[/youtube]
Syl Johnson- “Could I Be Falling In Love With You?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjBChRG-nok[/youtube]
Al Green- “Sha La La”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tgm7v284JI&feature=related[/youtube]
Al Green- “Take Me to the River”
and, just in case you haven’t had your coffee yet…
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lus8OTnLo7w&feature=related[/youtube]
Al Green- “Let’s Stay Together”-Live at the Apollo Theatre
Rest in peace, Willie. Your legacy is always with us. Thank you for it.