Here is a very recent addition to my collection: Al Greene using his real surname on a very early release of his - his third 45 to be precise. The label Hot Line Music Journal was based in Grand Rapids, Michigan where Al Greene lived for most of his teens. It was during this time that, according to his Wikipedia entry, Al was kicked out of the family home while in his teens, after his devoutly religious father caught him listening to Jackie Wilson!
The label HLMJ only released five singles as far as I can tell, two very obscure soul releases that I think preceded Al Greene's first three singles (the first of these - Back Up Train – was a hit and was credited to Al Greene and the Soulmates). These singles were released about a year before he met Willie Mitchell and joined the Hi Records roster. Willie dropped the e from the end of his name and, as we say, the rest is history.
I really like both sides of this 45.
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