Al Green

From steamy secular classics ("Love and Happiness," "Let's Stay Together") to no-foolin' praise songs ("Jesus Is Waiting"), the Reverend Al Green's devotion to matters of the heart is unparalleled in pop music. At 63, the genre-defining soul singer still draws fans young and old to his shows. They come to hear his hits from his '70s heyday, tight new R&B titles from his recent Blue Note albums, and the occasional deep gospel shout-out. It's a rare balancing act that works because Green is the real deal. And while it's true that his molasses-sweet falsetto sounds less nuanced than in days past, there's no denying the power of his gift for positive vibrations.