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Editorial Reviews

This is a two-album-on-one-CD release from the U.K.'s branch of Hi Records. Out of the two albums here, Precious Lord is the more staid and religious. Recorded in Nashville and engineered by country producer Billy Sherrill, it's Green's most traditional gospel statement. Standards are abound, with the title track, "How Great Thou Art," "Rock of Ages," and a warm "In the Garden." Although the performances are felt, the country-style production and lack of veering from the script made the effort come off not as moving as one might think. The contemporary original "Morningstar" displayed more of what Green is capable of doing. The blend of Al Green's style and his inherent charm seemed to inform the majority of I'll Rise Again. Released in 1983, it was also the natural progression of early-'80s albums Lord Will Make a Way and Higher Plane. While I'll Rise Again doesn't reach their level, it comes close and shows Green letting his eccentricities shine through. Tracks like "It Don't Take Much," "I Know It Was the Blood," and "Look at the Things That God Made" have Green coming to grips with the polished, synth-driven R&B sound of the time. Not surprisingly, the standards "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" and "I Just Can't Make It by Myself" find Green on automatic pilot and not too interested. The two albums certainly do portray Green in different mindsets and are perfect representations of his early-'80s work. ~ Jason Elias, All Music Guide All Music Guide

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