Love Is Reality
Love Is Reality | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1992 | |||
Genre | Soul, gospel, R&B | |||
Label | Word Records/Epic Records[1] | |||
Producer | Tim Miner | |||
Al Green chronology | ||||
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Love Is Reality is an album by the American soul musician Al Green, released in 1992.[2][3]
The album was nominated for a Grammy Award, in the "Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album" category.[4] It peaked at No. 29 on Billboard's 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.[11] He raps on "You Don't Know Me".[12]
Critical reception[]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Boston Herald | C+[14] |
Calgary Herald | B+[15] |
Chicago Tribune | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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."[17] 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."[18]
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."[15] USA Today called the album "a disappointment," and listed it as the third worst R&B album of 1992.[19] The Richmond Times-Dispatch deemed it a "high-tech, contemporary R&B gospel album."[20] The Boston Herald considered it to be "the weakest album of Green's career."[14]
AllMusic wrote that "Christian dance-pop producer Tim Miner works from formulas, while Green runs on inspiration."[13]
Track listing[]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "I Can Feel It" | |
2. | "Love Is Reality" | |
3. | "Just Can't Let You Go" | |
4. | "You Don't Know Me" | |
5. | "Again" | |
6. | "Positive Attitude" | |
7. | "Sure Feel Good" | |
8. | "Long Time" | |
9. | "Why" | |
10. | "I Like It" |
References[]
- ^ Hoekstra, Dave (June 11, 1993). "Praising The Gospel - Al Green Brings Soul to 9th Annual Fest". Chicago Sun-Times. Weekend Plus. p. 31.
- ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: al green". www.robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Iverem, Esther (2 Aug 1992). "ENTERTAINMENT BEST BETS". Newsday. News. p. 6.
- ^ "Al Green". GRAMMY.com. November 23, 2020.
- ^ "Al Green". Billboard.
- ^ a b Norment, Lynn (Jul 1992). "Sounding Off". Ebony. 47 (9): 18.
- ^ Nager, Larry (May 1, 1992). "FESTIVALGOERS WILL WITNESS 'TOTAL' SINGER". The Commercial Appeal. p. C1.
- ^ Snider, Eric (24 July 1992). "GOSPEL TRUTH Series: COVER STORIES". St. Petersburg Times. Weekend. p. 21.
- ^ Futch, Michael (April 10, 1992). "Only Al Green's Voice Saves 'Love Is Reality'". The Fayetteville Observer. Entertainment.
- ^ Booth, Philip (July 24, 1992). "Green rocks with the rock of ages". The Tampa Tribune. Friday Extra!. p. 16.
- ^ a b Van Matre, Lynn (16 Apr 1992). "Al Green Love Is Reality". Chicago Tribune. Tempo. p. 6.
- ^ Lustig, Jay (June 14, 1992). "GREEN FINDS LOVE: SETS COMMON GROUND FOR POP HITS AND SONGS OF PERSONAL FAITH". The Star-Ledger. News.
- ^ a b "Love Is Reality - Al Green | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ a b Katz, Larry (April 17, 1992). "AL GREEN Love Is Reality". Boston Herald. p. S24.
- ^ a b Tremblay, Mark (12 Apr 1992). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. C4.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 3. MUZE. p. 888.
- ^ "Popular Music -- Love Is Reality by Al Green". Stereo Review. 57 (7): 68. Jul 1992.
- ^ Dahl, Bill (6 June 1993). "Musical conversion: The Rev. Al Green gives gospel an R&B punch". Chicago Tribune. Arts. p. 12.
- ^ Jones IV, James T (30 Dec 1992). "R&B: Smooth Sade; drab Day". USA Today. p. 4D.
- ^ McLeod, Harriet (June 4, 1992). "CROONIN' HIS TUNES WITH SPIRIT AND SOUL". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. E26.
- Al Green albums
- 1992 albums
- Epic Records albums