Love Is Reality Explained

Love Is Reality
Type:studio
Artist:Al Green
Cover:Love Is Reality.jpg
Released:1992
Genre:Soul, gospel, R&B
Label:World/Epic[1]
Producer:Tim Miner
Prev Title:From My Soul
Prev Year:1990
Next Title:Don't Look Back
Next Year:1993

Love Is Reality is an album by the American musician Al Green, released in 1992.[2] [3]

The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album".[4] It peaked at No. 29 on Billboards Top Gospel Albums chart.[5]

Production

Recorded in Dallas, Love Is Reality was produced by Tim Miner.[6] [7] It was an attempt to marry Green's traditional gospel and soul sounds to new jack swing.[8] [9] Kirk Whalum played saxophone on the album; El DeBarge contributed backing vocals.[6] [10]

Green cowrote all of the album's songs. He raps on "You Don't Know Me".[11]

Critical reception

Stereo Review wrote that Love Is Reality "would have been a better album if the gospel flavor were stronger, but Green pulls it all off with his customary aplomb."[12] The Chicago Tribune thought that some songs "are nearly indistinguishable from standard urban contemporary fare, with slick arrangements and occasionally ambiguous lyrics that are a far cry from standard hymns."[13]

The Calgary Herald determined that "the compositions here aren't bad, but it's Green's fluidly fervent, honey-toned voice which sets this disc apart." USA Today called the album "a disappointment," and listed it as the third worst R&B album of 1992.[14] The Richmond Times-Dispatch deemed it a "high-tech, contemporary R&B gospel album."[15] The Boston Herald considered it to be "the weakest album of Green's career."

AllMusic wrote that "Christian dance-pop producer Tim Miner works from formulas, while Green runs on inspiration."

Personnel

Choir

Production

Notes and References

  1. News: Hoekstra . Dave . Praising the Gospel – Al Green Brings Soul to 9th Annual Fest . Chicago Sun-Times . June 11, 1993 . Weekend Plus . 31.
  2. Web site: Al Green. Robert Christgau.
  3. News: Iverem . Esther . Entertainment Best Bets . Newsday . 2 Aug 1992 . News . 6.
  4. Web site: Al Green. November 23, 2020. Grammy Awards.
  5. Web site: Al Green. Billboard.
  6. Norment . Lynn . Sounding Off . Ebony . Jul 1992 . 47 . 9 . 18.
  7. News: Nager . Larry . Festivalgoers Will Witness 'Total' Singer . The Commercial Appeal . May 1, 1992 . C1.
  8. News: Snider . Eric . Gospel Truth . St. Petersburg Times . 24 July 1992 . Weekend . 21.
  9. News: Futch . Michael . Only Al Green's Voice Saves 'Love Is Reality' . The Fayetteville Observer . April 10, 1992 . Entertainment.
  10. News: Booth . Philip . Green rocks with the rock of ages . The Tampa Tribune . July 24, 1992 . Friday Extra! . 16.
  11. News: Lustig . Jay . Green Finds Love . The Star-Ledger . June 14, 1992 . News.
  12. Popular Music — Love Is Reality by Al Green . Stereo Review . Jul 1992 . 57 . 7 . 68.
  13. News: Dahl . Bill . Musical conversion: The Rev. Al Green gives gospel an R&B punch . Chicago Tribune . 6 June 1993 . Arts . 12.
  14. News: Jones IV . James T . R&B: Smooth Sade; drab Day . USA Today . 30 Dec 1992 . 4D.
  15. News: McLeod . Harriet . Croonin' His Tunes with Spirit and Soul . Richmond Times-Dispatch . June 4, 1992 . E26.

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