Who's your personal favorite between these two great singers?



The question is almost insulting, since both men did so much for soul and really are incomparable. But personally, I like Al Green's music just a little bit more.

Al gets props for getting a pot of grits thrown on his back, as well as still being alive (in addition to all the music he's responsible for) - but you can't deny all the awesome music Marvin made. From his classic What's Going On to his duets with Tammi and Diana, the guy's responsible for some of the greatest soul music ever. That's not to say that Al wasn't, but you asked for a choice, right?

If I had a loaded gun to my head and I had to choose one, it'd be Marvin.

Hmmm. Toughie.

I love Al's catalogue a lot more than Marvin's, but Marvin was a much better performer. I guess I'll go with quantity this time around.

Al.

Definitely love both, but it's easily Marvin for me. I like his catalogue more and the highs are waaaay up there.

gaye

Very tough choice, but Gaye's catalog is much more consistant, even though I think Green was capable of "higher highs." But Gaye's What's Going On, socially concious period puts this one to rest. Both brilliant artists. Now Gaye vs Sam Cooke, that would be a tough one.

Marvin Gaye by a mile and dam shame kids today never saw the master at work back in the day.

I have to go with Al Green. He was much more soulful than Marvin Gaye and has a much greater vocal range. He hits those high notes with a raspy softness that drives the emotion home.

"I'm still in love with you" is an amazing song.

Marvin is definitely the more important and groundbreaking artist of the two, but for personal preference, there is not a bad song on Al's Greatest Hits album IMO

Marvin, and it's not even close. Although I feel Marvin's best work was already years behind him, by that I mean pretty much everybody who was anybody from the 50's and 60's weren't really producing their best work during 1980's.

Both are great, but Marvin gets my vote.

when you think about it, Marvin had a much longer career. Al really only had a few great years before he found religion in the mid-70's and moved towards religious music and didn't really do anything secular for almost 20 years.

Though I don't think it would be considered exclusively religious, "Belle" is just one of those songs you can't help but adore. And you get to tell everyone "it's about God". Al for me.

It's not even close, and I love Al Green.

Otis Redding.

Interesting because you were born in the 70s and you missed out on his work, especially What's Going On loool

Some of us were actually old enough (teens)

Back in 2008, I voted for Al Green in the poll.

And I still love Al Green.

But then...

A few years ago, during some tumultuous times in the world that I won't go into because this isn't the Politics forum, I heard a worship band in an ecumenical setting play "What's Going On?" by Mavin Gaye. This was a giant, cathedral-style building, with people from across the nation all together for a conference focused on faith and justice. I witnessed people singing along, as well as some tears shed, including from yours truly. When it was over, we all just took a silent moment before we continued. It was a holy moment.

And while I love Al Green, since that moment, I have come to appreciate and listen to Marvin Gaye than I ever had before. We are blessed by the musical gifts and caring heart that he gave freely.

First person I thought of when I saw this poll was Sam Cooke.

Same Cooke beats pretty much every male singer ever, in my opinion.

Same.

Agreed.

Reverend Al was great, but I really don't see how this is a contest. My answer is Marvin.