line-up 1 ()

- Jeanie Greene (aka Mary Elizabeth Lee, aka Jeanie Fortune, 

  aka  Jeanie Johnson) (RIP 2018) -- vocals, keyboards

  backing musicians: (1971)

- Barry Beckett --  keyboards

- Chris Ethridge -- bass

- Marline Greene -- bass
- Roger Hawkins -- drums, percussion

- David Hood -- bass
- Jimmy Johnson -- guitar

- Leo LeBlanc -- steel guitar
- Claudia Lennear -- backing vocals
- Larry Nicholson -- guitar

- Mary Pederson -- backing vocals
- Wayne Perkins -- guitar
- Tim Smith -- backing vocals

- The Alabama State Troupers

- Jeanie Fortune 

- Marlin Greene (husband)

- Jeanie Johnson

- Southern Comfort

Genre: soul

Rating: 2 stars **

Title:  Mary Called Jeanie Greene

Company: Elektra

Catalog: EKS-74103
Year: 1971

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): NM/NM

Comments: die cut cover; original lyric inner sleeve; sealed copy

Available:  1 

Catalog ID:  5456

Price: $30.00

In the early 1970s Jac Holzman and Elektra Records became interested in Southern rock.  That interest saw the label sign a host of Southern acts including The Alabama State Troupers, Lonnie Mack, Mickey Newbury, Don Nix and Jeanie Greene (who'd also been a member of The Alabama State Troupers).  Though she only released one album and a couple of singles for the label, Greene was easily one of the more interesting acts signed by the company.  

In Holzman's book Follow the Music, Ron Miller provided an interesting description of Greene: " ... she was white, but she sang black, she heard voices and truly believed she was the reincarnation of Mary Magdalene."

I'll be the first to admit that Greene's discography is a twisted mess; made even more complicated by the fact she recorded under various names.  Born Mary Elizabeth Lee, billed as Jeanie Johnson in the late-'50s she caught the attention of country star Chet Atkins who helped her score a contract with RCA Victor and produced her first three instantly obscure country singles:

- 1958's "My Jimmy" b/w "Next Thing To Paradise" (RCA Victor catalog number 47-7163)

- 1958's "Listen To the Wind" b/w "Go Away" (RCA Victor catalog number 47-7271)

- 1960's "Johnnie My Love" b/w "Wishing Well" (RCA Victor catalog number 47-7782)

As Jeanie Greene 1964 found her recording a series of one-off singles for the small California based Kangeroo label and the West Virginia Beck label.

- 1964's "Land ot the Living (The License Plat Song)" b/w "The Doggone Machine" (Kangeroo catalog number 45-K-28-A/B)

- 1964's"What'll I Do" b/w "Halfway Loved" (Beck catalog number 45-106)

Starting in 1965 she released a pair of singles using the stage name Jeanie Fortune:

- 1965's "Once More with Feeling" b/w "Occasional Tears" (RCA Victor catalog number 47-8704)

- 1966's "Angry Eyes" b/w "Keep Me" (RCA Victor catalog number 47-8914)

Co-written by Dan Penn and Marlin Greene, the first single apparently introduced her to future husband Greene and found her starting to work as a sessions backup singer at Chips Moman's American Studios.  One of the acts she supported was Elvis Presley.  The resulting publicity saw her taking another stab at a solo career.  Signed by Atlantic's ATCO subsidiary, as Jeanie Greene she released:

- 1968's 'Sure As Sin' b/w I've Been a Long Time Loving You'' (ATCO catalog number 45-6619)

Written and produced by husband Marlin Greene, two years later Greene and fellow back-up vocalists Mary Holliday, Ginger Holliday and Donna Thatcher (later Donna Jean Godchaux of Grateful Dead fame) recorded a one-shot 45 credited to Southern Comfort.  

- 1970's 'Milk and Honey' b/w 'Don't Take Your Sweet Love Away' (Cotillion catalog number 45-44043)

Signed by Elektra, Greene's first (and only) album "Mary Called Jeanie Greene"  found her teamed with producer Don Nix (who also wrote several of the tracks) and the cream of Muscle Shoals studio players (keyboardist Barry Beckett, bassist Roger Hawkins, guitarist Wayne Perkins, husband Marlin Greene, etc.).  As quoted above, Ron Miller's description was right on the mark.  Blessed with a deep and gritty voice, Greene sure didn't sound like the small redheaded white woman shown on the inner sleeve and on the back cover.  Musically tracks like "Put Your Good On The Line", "Mighty Time" and "Pre-Recognition" offered up a mixture of Gospel, Southern soul and rock moves.  Also worth mentioning was a strange, African-influenced effort - "Swaziland Remembered African Folk Chant'" and the atypical pop song "Only the Children Know".  Perhaps not a perfect comparison, but imagine Bonnie and Delaney at a Southern tent revival and you'd be in the right musical neighborhood.  Over the years I've listened to the album dozens of times and while I really like Greene's voice, there are at least two characteristics that kept the set from being a classic.  Like Joplin and lots of other blues-based singers, Greene had a tendency to go screechy when she tried to kick into high gear (check out "Thank God He Came" and "Peter Put Away Your Sword'" where she actually sounded quite a bit like a non-secular Joplin).  Not that there's anything wrong in being reverent, but the collection had a rather blatant religious quotient that probably won't appeal to a lot of folks.  In all honesty you could probably classify this as a Christian rock set.  Not exactly Elektra's most commercial release, but the set had its moments.  

"Mary Called Jeanie Greene" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Yes, I Do Understand (Jeanie Greene - Marlin Greene) - 3:10 rating: ** stars

Opening with some "churchy" organ and piano, "Yes, I Do Understand" served as a nice introduction to Greene's vocal strengths and weaknesses.  When she wasn't pushing her voice, she displayed a warm, soulful voice.  When the song hit the refrain you got to hear her loud, shrieky delivery.  The song also served to showcase the album's non-secular leanings.
2.) You Know Who You Are (Jeanie Greene) - 0:58
3.) Put Your Good On The Line (Marlin Greene) - 4:19 rating: ** stars

I've never been to one, but I imagine the keyboard powered, preachy "Put Your Good On The Line" sounds like something you'd hear at a Southern Baptist Sunday service.  Hammond B-3, female backing chorus and "spread-the-good-word" lyrics are all here.
4.) Thank God He Came (Donnie Fritts - Arthur Alexander) - 2:42 rating: ** stars

Well, the vocal was nice, but the lyrics were over-the-top non-secular.
5.) Like A Road Leading Home (Don Nix - Dan Penn) - 3:41
6.) Swaziland Remembered African Folk Chant (traditional arranged by Jeanie Greene) - 0:52 rating: *** stars

What in the world?  Just totally out of left field.

(side 2)
1.) Joa-Bim (Tippy Armstrong) - 3:04 rating: *** stars

Written by the late Muscle Shoals guitarist Tippy Armstrong, Greene had previously recorded a live version of "Joa-Bim" for The Alabama State Trouper's ""The Alabama State Troopers Road Show" LP.  A pretty, blues ballad with Greene on piano, she seemingly turned the song into a non-secular dedication to her savior. 
2.) Mighty Time (Don Nix) - 2:36 rating: ** stars

Another Alabama State Troupers remake, "Mighty Time" plunged you right back into "tent revival" territory.
3.) Magdalene's Medley (traditional arranged by Jeanie Greene) - 4:44 rating: ** stars

"Magdalene's Medley" stitched together three traditional hymns - "Oh How I Love Jesus", "In The Garden" and "Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem".  The performance was nice, but very Gospel-ish so it won't appeal to everyone.  The medley also appeared as the "B" side on her " Only the Children Know'' 45/
4.) Pre-Recognition (Jeanie Greene) - 1:08
5.) Only The Children Know (Don Nix) - 2:26 rating: *** stars

Another Don Nix compositions, "Only The Children Know" was easily the album's most commercial and radio-friendly performance.  That also made it very atypical compared to the rest of the album.  The heavy strings didn't help the tune, but I like the performance as it's one that's 100% secular and Greene makes no effort to "power" her way through the tune. Elektra tapped it as a 45:

- 1971's "Only the Children Know'' b/w "Magdalene's Medley" (Elektra catalog number EKS-45742)

6.) Peter Put Away Your Sword (Jeanie Greene) - 1:28 rating: ** stars

Exhibited by tracks like "Peter Put Away Your Sword" you clearly couldn't deny Greene's dedication to her faith.  That didn't necessarily make for a good rock album.  This one was quite brief.
7.) Going Home (traditional arranged by Jeanie Greene) - 3:15

Greene continued to work as a backup singer through the 1970s and 1980s, but as far as I can tell hasn't released any more solo material.  Anyone know if she recorded any other material and what she's up to these days?

Ask and you'll get an answer ...

I'm a cousin of Jeannie Greene (Mary Elizabeth Johnson Lee). She lives in her hometown of Corinth, Mississippi in northeast Mississippi not far from Huntsville, Alabama. She moved back after the death of her second husband. She is in bad health and lives in a retirement complex. She loves to play her baby grand and talked about her recording and touring days. She is a smoker and has a great raspy voices when she sings. It was great to know that her work is still out in circulation. I enjoyed reading your review of her work. Her phone number is listed and I'm sure she would be honored to share her life experiences with you! 

Sincerely, DeLane Steen

January, 2011

75 years old, Greene died in August, 2018.  Prior to her death a guy by the name of D.R. Storm conducted a series of interviews with Greene.  They can be found on YouTube at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAelgeuZ9QI&t=413s  (part 1)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDEZdtn8O18 (part 2)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP81Ow-NZIs  (part 3)

© Scott R. Blackerby January 2011