What does Soul Survivor sound like?

A rich blend of gospel-infused soul and rhythm and blues, underscored by Al Green's timeless falsetto. Rooted in R&B and soul. Start with "Everything’s Gonna Be Alright".

Is Soul Survivor a good place to start with Al Green?

Yes, Soul Survivor is recommended as a starting point for new Al Green listeners. A rich blend of gospel-infused soul and rhythm and blues, underscored by Al Green's timeless falsetto. Released in 1987, Soul Survivor marked Al Green's return to recording after a decade-long hiatus from original material. Following his breakthrough during the early 1970s with hits like "Let's Stay Together," this album represents a significant moment of re-establishing his artistic identity, showcasing his evolution into a more spiritual and introspective songwriter.

Who is Soul Survivor for?

Soul Survivor works well if you're into uplifting themes of resilience, steady flow with spiritual warmth and for reflective moments.

How many songs are on Soul Survivor?

Soul Survivor has 9 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

Soul Survivor

Al Green · 1987

34 min · 9 tracks · rhythm and blues

A rich blend of gospel-infused soul and rhythm and blues, underscored by Al Green's timeless falsetto.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Everything’s Gonna Be Alright Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its uplifting message and Green's passionate delivery, embodying the hopeful spirit that permeates the record.
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Jesus Will Fix It — A heartfelt declaration of faith, this song showcases Green's ability to merge personal conviction with universal themes, drawing listeners into its comforting embrace.
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Soul Survivor — The title track reflects Green's journey through adversity and resilience, offering an introspective look at his life while maintaining an infectious groove that resonates deeply.
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He Ain’t Heavy... He’s My Brother — Green's rendition transforms this classic into a soulful testament of brotherhood and support, highlighting his emotional depth and vocal prowess.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album blends gospel and soul effectively but lacks some cohesion in pacing and variety.

What we noticed

Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal arrangements, emphasizing the gospel influence in Green's delivery.
The final track is an instrumental recitation of the 23rd Psalm, which contrasts with the preceding vocal-heavy pieces.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

uplifting themes of resilience
steady flow with spiritual warmth
for reflective moments
short tracks for quick listens

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy excitement
prefer standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Marks a return to original material after a long hiatus, showcasing continued artistic vitality.
Career context: Released in 1987, Soul Survivor marked Al Green's return to recording after a decade-long hiatus from original material. Following his breakthrough during the early 1970s with hits like "Let's Stay Together," this album represents a significant moment of re-establishing his artistic identity, showcasing his evolution into a more spiritual and introspective songwriter.
Stylistic neighbors: Marvin Gaye· Otis Redding· Sam Cooke