LEDYARD, Conn. — The eternal dichotomy of soul music — red clay vs. sequins — was on display Sunday nightat the MGM Grand Theatre at the Foxwoods Casino as Al Green and Gladys Knight put some of the classics of ‘70s soul on stage.

Knight described the show as “a musical journey,” and she covered her days with The Pips, going back to the doo-wop-influenced “In Every Beat of My Heart,” The Pips’ first single, from 1961. Her latest album, this year’s Before Me, is a tribute to the great women singers of classic jazz, and it was represented by a samba version of “The Man I Love” and a simmering “Stormy Monday.”

Knight also included plenty of biographical information in the show, and lots of no-nonsense, deadpan humor, including in the traditional comedy-relief cameo appearance from big brother Bubba Knight, handling Marvin Gaye’s version of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” in a face-off with the Pips’ version.

Of course, what you want to hear from Knight is the Pips’ hits such as “You’re the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me,” “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)” and the immortal “Midnight Train to Georgia,” all of which Knight handled at least impeccably, with an extra shot of diva-esque vocal power during “Neither One of Us” that the years have cost her nothing.

Sadly, while her band was once again tight and skilled, the arrangements were busy, often too busy; hyperactive drumming was a constant problem. The band didn’t stand back for Knight’s explorations of “Neither One of Us,” for example, and the whole effect was simply chaotic in spots.

Green was lean and mean, with a small band, a tight-as-a-drum horn section, particularly evident on “Here I Am (Come and Take Me),” and the man himself, showing as much energy as ever. From the first song, “Just Can’t Stop,” Green careened around the stage, howling, pleading and later on preaching, during “He’s Coming Back” and a blues-influenced “Amazing Grace.” There was nothing from this year’s excellent comeback album, Lay It Down.

The Green formula is equal parts secular and divine, and the two mingle together easily, as even his most romantic hits (“Let’s Get Married,” “Still in Love With You,” “Let’s Stay Together”) are paeans to fidelity, and his religious material hits just as hard — “even the preacher’s human,” he said during “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?” (which had a few excellent moments but meandered to the point where Green cut it off).

He lost momentum, however, with a medley of snatches of soul covers midway through the set, and spent a lot of time directing audience sing-alongs, though he pulled it together for the final few songs. His voice is still a gravelly wonder, though, and his falsetto, all the more unexpected from such a sandpaper speaking voice, still cuts glass, with as much richness to it as ever.

A note on the venue: The MGM Grand Theatre has been open less than a month, and while there might be a few logistical bugs to be ironed out, the sight lines and sound are outstanding. Every instrument of even Knight’s large band and orchestra was clearly audible — yes, even the bass, which traditionally gets swallowed up in large venues. It’s a first-class listening room that feels a lot smaller than it is.

rmassimo@projo.com