I Get Joy
I Get Joy is a studio album by Al Green, released in 1989 on A&M Records. 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. "As Long As We're Together" features Al B. Sure! singing backup. 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." The "Los Angeles Times" opined that "Green should stick to what he does best, which, these days, is religious music." "The New York Times" called Green's voice "the sound of a lone supplicant, gently testifying to the comforts of faith."