I still have Memphis music on my mind. We’ve talked about Sun and Stax, let’s move on to Hi Records as personified in the featured image by Al Green and Willie Mitchell. They were the dynamic duo of Seventies soul.

We need a palate cleanser after all the talk of the tawdry exploits of Trump and his icky ilk. There’s no better palate cleanser than sweet Memphis soul.

Let’s Stay Together was written in 1971 by Al Green, Al Jackson Jr. and Willie Mitchell. It was a number one hit on both the pop and R&B charts the next year.

We begin with the songwriter himself:

If Reverend Al’s version isn’t mellow enough for you, here’s Roberta Flack.

Let’s Stay Together was Tina Turner’s 1983 comeback single. Mission accomplished. It was a hit.

Next up, two of my favorite singers, Aaron Neville and Chaka Khan. His name is *almost* as fun to say as hers. Almost.

Finally, Seal makes his FCH debut with a faithful version of the Green-Jackson-Mitchell classic.

What would the Friday Cocktail Hour be without instrumental versions of the week’s tune? This time, Hammond B-3 wizard Jimmy Smith followed by the fabulous flautist Herbie Mann.

Flautist is *almost* as fun to say as Chaka Khan. Almost.

That’s it for this week. Let’s toast Jack Smith for doing the right thing. It’s what the Reverend Al and Tina would want. Never argue with them.