Description
My Soul is Free is the solo debut album by the American gospel and soul singer Paul Beasley (December 11, 1944 – March 13, 2023) of the Mighty Clouds of Joy fame, released on Myrrh Records in June 1984, a division of Word. The album tracks were recorded by Brent King assisted by Lee Groitzsch at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, Tennessee; with Neal Joseph producing. Overdubs recorded by Jim Baird at Bullet Recording in Nashville and by Jeff Balding at The Gold Mine in Brentwood, Tennessee. Mixed by Jim Baird at Bullet Recording. Strings arranged by John Darnall.
Paul Beasley is backed by a session band featuring Keith Thomas on acoustic and electric piano, as well as synthesizer, Alan Steinberger on synthesizer, Dann Huff and Join Goin on guitars, Gary Lunn on bass, and Larrie London on drums, with Farrell Morris and Lisa Cates on percussion. Saxophones provided by Sam Levine and Dan Cleary. Background vocals provided by Donna McElroy, Melodie Tunney, and Steve Taylor. Additional background vocals by David Baron, Beverly Darnall, Keith Thomas, and Neal Joseph. Strings by The Kris Wilkinson Strings.
Paul Beasley, a member of the Mighty Clouds of Joy, has arrived with his first solo outing, ‘My Soul Is Free’. Produced by Neal Joseph, the album features some of Christian music’s best sidemen: Keith Thomas, Larrie London, Farrell Morris. And Beasley’s silky smooth falsetto vocals are comparable to some of soul music’s top singers.
«Love Has Taken It All Away» is soul music at its best. The cut features a light, airy arrangement with string sweetening and a lead guitar solo, effectively enhancing Beasley’s falsetto. «Thank You Jesus» displays a strong call-and-response sequence between Beasley and his background singers, plus an incredible break that pits Beasley’s vocals against a funky bass guitar line.
One of the album’s strongest cuts, «Trouble Don’t Last Always», opens with a spoken monologue by Beasley, leading into the song’s potent message. Beasley’s vocal phrasing on «Joy’s Coming in the Morning» resembles that of Luther Vandross.
«I’ll Go» encompasses a bluesy arrangement. The strong drums and piano help deliver the emotion felt through Beasley’s lead and the background vocals.
In short, ‘My Soul Is Free’ is soul music that sets the listener free. [Tim A. Smith, CCM, June 1984]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “My Soul Is Free” – 4:26
A2. “Love Has Taken It All Away” – 3:41
A3. “Thank You Jesus” – 3:21
A4. “Isn’t It Just Like Jesus” – 3:05
A5. “Trouble Don’t Last Always” – 4:35
Side Two
B1. “Sure Enough” – 3:37
B2. “I’ll Go” – 5:25
B3. “Joy’s Coming In The Morning” – 3:50
B4. “There’s A God” – 4:13
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records.
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