I Get Joy Explained

I Get Joy
Type:	studio
Artist:	Al Green
Border:	yes
Released:	May 1989
Studio:	Royal Studios, Ardent Studios and Colton Row (Memphis, Tennessee); Cheshire Studios (Atlanta, Georgia).
Genre:	Soul, gospel
Label:	A&M
Producer:	Al Green, Paul Zaleski, Eban Kelly, John Randolph
Prev Title:	Soul Survivor
Prev Year:	1987
Next Title:	Love Is Reality
Next Year:	1992

I Get Joy is a studio album by Al Green, released in 1989 on A&M Records.^[1] Green included many secular songs on the album, the first time he had done so since the 1970s.

Production

Green wrote the majority of the songs.^[2] "As Long As We're Together" features Al B. Sure! singing backup.^[3] Former Tempree Jasper "Jabbo" Phillips sings backup on "Tryin' to Do the Best I Can" and "Tryin' to Get Over You".

Critical reception

Robert Christgau wrote: "What distinguishes this exercise is unflinching formal exposition--no Supremes or James Taylor ringers. Even the electrofunk belongs." The Deseret News thought that Green "has a knack for writing songs that are subtle enough to work on both romantic and religious levels."^[2] The Los Angeles Times opined that "Green should stick to what he does best, which, these days, is religious music."^[4] The New York Times called Green's voice "the sound of a lone supplicant, gently testifying to the comforts of faith."^[5]

Track listing

1. "You're Everything to Me" (Al Green, Denise Flippen) - 4:13
2. "All My Praise" (Green, Flippen) - 4:10
3. "The End Is Near" (Green, Flippen) - 4:06
4. "Mighty Clouds of Joy" (Buddy Buie, Robert Nix) - 4:16
5. "I Get Joy" (Green, Flippen) - 3:53
6. "As Long as We're Together" (Green)- 3:44
7. "Praise Him" (Green) - 3:06
8. "Blessed" (Eban Kelly, Jimi Randolph) - 4:06
9. "Tryin' to Do the Best I Can" (Green) - 3:03
10. "Tryin' to Get Over You" (Green) - 2:04

Personnel

• Al Green – lead vocals, arrangements (1-7, 9, 10), backing vocals (6, 8)
• Lester Snell – keyboards (1, 2, 3, 5, 7)
• Wayne Perkins – acoustic piano (4), lead guitar (4)
• Lawrence Mitchell – keyboards (6), horns (6)
• Jimi Randolph – all instruments (8), arrangements (8)
• Johnny Brown – acoustic piano (9), organ (10)
• Angelo Earl – guitars (1, 2, 3, 5, 7)
• Gregory McIntosh – lead guitar (9, 10)
• Jimi Kinnard – bass (1, 2, 3, 5, 7)
• George Jouringan – bass (4, 9, 10)
• Archie Mitchell – drums (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7), bass (6)
• Tim Dancy – drums (10)
• Dennis Bates – horns (9)
• Berton Brown – backing vocals (1, 2, 3, 5, 7)
• William Brown III – backing vocals (1, 2, 3, 5, 7)
• Gloria Robinson – backing vocals (1, 2, 3, 5, 7)
• Harvey Jones – backing vocals (4, 9, 10)
• Linda Jones – backing vocals (4, 9, 10)
• Monique Monan – backing vocals (4)
• Reba Russell – backing vocals (4)
• Michael Allen – backing vocals (6)
• Denise Flippen – backing vocals (6)
• John Benton – backing vocals (8)
• Berkley Buckley – backing vocals (8)
• Eban Kelly – backing vocals (8), arrangements (8)
• P. Leon Thomas – backing vocals (8)
• Jasper "Jabbo" Phillips – backing vocals (9, 10)

Production

• Al Green – executive producer, producer, engineer
• Paul Zeleski – producer
• Eban Kelly – producer (8), assistant engineer (8)
• Jimi Randolph – producer (8), engineer (8)
• William Brown III – engineer
• Willie Mitchell – engineer
• Robert Nix – engineer (4)
• Kim Venable – engineer (4)
• John Eberle – mastering
• Chuck Beeson – art direction, design
• Jeff Gold – art direction
• Howard Rosenberg – photography

Notes and References

1. Sanders . Charles L. . Sounding Off . Ebony . Sep 1989 . 44 . 11 . 22.
2. Web site: AL GREEN'S 'I GET JOY' PUTS SOUL BACK INTO GOSPEL MUSIC. January 4, 1991. Deseret News.
3. News: Jefferson . Graham . Al Green preaches his message of 'Joy' . USA Today . 16 May 1989 . 5D.
4. Web site: AL GREEN "I Get Joy." A&M; ** . July 9, 1989. Los Angeles Times.
5. News: Pareles . Jon . Recordings . The New York Times . 6 Aug 1989 . A26.