FEATURE:
A Buyer’s Guide
Part Thirty-Two: Luther Vandross
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THIS A Buyer’s Guide…
concerns the incredible music of the much-missed Luther Vandross. The American singer, songwriter and record producer was an in-demand background vocalist for several different artists including Todd Rundgren, Judy Collins, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Ben E. King, and Donna Summer. I really love his albums and it is not surprising that people called Vandross one of the greatest singers of his generation! His music will live forever and we will never see anyone with his amazing voice and passion again. To honour the great man, I have recommended four essential albums; an underrated album of his worth investigation; his final album and, to top it off, a book that is a useful companion. Here is a node, salute and a compassionate look at the music of…
ONE of the finest singers ever.
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The Four Essential Albums
Never Too Much
Release Date: 12th August, 1981
Label: Epic
Producers: Luther Vandross/Larkin Arnold (exec.)
Standout Tracks: Don’t You Know That?/You Stopped Loving Me/A House Is Not a Home
Buy: https://www.discogs.com/Luther-Vandross-Never-Too-Much/master/130344
Stream: https://open.spotify.com/album/1B4oPgG5ljWTRxsKcTHAYn?si=RwuXm097Suy2WLCUlY_b6g
Review:
“The debut solo album from Luther Vandross featured one outstanding song after another. Vandross concocts a bouncy, vibrant flow on his up-tempo numbers and an intimate, emotional connection on his moderate grooves and his lone ballad. The title track stormed up the Billboard R&B charts to number one where it remained for two weeks. The mellow groove of "Don't You Know That," which checked in at number ten, was the second single. "Sugar and Spice" had less of an impact on the charts due to its short stay of six weeks. However, this feverish number gets all the juices flowing as does the unreleased "I've Been Working." Also featured on this set is the sentimental number "You Stopped Loving Me." The song was written by Vandross but initially released by Roberta Flack; both versions stand tall. "A House Is Not a Home" is the only ballad, and an elegant one it is, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and originally sung by Dionne Warwick nearly 20 years prior. Vandross orchestrates a contemporary masterpiece with this vintage number. Though it was never an official release by the label, it's a quiet storm jewel. In addition to his many music credits, Vandross was a featured guest vocalist with the progressive band Change. The same vocal savvy and smooth styling that the New York City native exhibited on songs like "Searching" and "Glow of Love" resurface here. This is one of the better R&B albums of the early '80s” – AllMusic
Choice Cut: Never Too Much
Forever, for Always, for Love
Release Date: 21st September, 1982
Label: Epic
Producers: Larkin Arnold (exec.)/Luther Vandross
Standout Tracks: Bad Boy /Having a Party/You’re the Sweetest One/She Loves Me Back
Buy: https://www.discogs.com/Luther-Vandross-Forever-For-Always-For-Love/release/123359
Stream: https://open.spotify.com/album/3oG1ai7tyPHOm2w2ZkjpLi?si=y9dwJSRFTlugrkj3-oKP4w
Review:
“The most gifted male pop-soul singer of his generation, Luther Vandross has broken away from the macho chest-beating of the likes of Teddy Pendergrass by crooning instead of roaring at moments of high passion. Forever, for Always, for Love, his second solo album, hits emotional peaks when the singer is choking back his feelings in broken, soft-spoken phrases that transform intense sexuality into pure emotion.
The romantically atmospheric style of Vandross’ self-production perfectly complements his intimate, vulnerable delivery. The title cut, in which Vandross elaborates his passion with quivering redundancy, twirling the phrase “forever, for always, for love” over and over and savoring its nuances, is a gem of soft-focus, pyrotechnical pop singing and production. And “She Loves Me Back” rekindles the flame of Vandross’ first hit, “Never Too Much.”
A connoisseur of pop-soul oldies, Vandross also revives the Temptations’ “Since I Lost My Baby” and Sam Cooke’s “Having a Party” in suave, handsome settings. By comparison, Vandross’ original songs are amorphous mood pieces built more around vocal arrangements than thematic concepts. And the relaxed, hovering atmosphere of Vandross’ productions are likewise more singer- than song-oriented. But by bending the conventions of pop to serve his vocal whims, Vandross has helped to expand and enrich a tradition that had become too locked into formulas” – Rolling Stone
Choice Cut: Since I Lost My Baby
The Night I Fell in Love
Release Date: 8th March, 1985
Label: Epic
Producers: Luther Vandross/Marcus Miller
Standout Tracks: 'Til My Baby Comes Home/It’s Over Now/Wait for Love
Buy: https://www.discogs.com/Luther-Vandross-The-Night-I-Fell-In-Love/master/155534
Stream: https://open.spotify.com/album/20okHMjdnVL1rDtgPo81vY?si=SaXQNvi7RvqY0yT4LvljhQ
Review:
“Still, this is an eminently listenable album that skillfully evokes the light, romantic mood Vandross is so fond of. The LP hits its stride with a cover of Brenda Russell’s “If Only for One Night,” where Vandross’ brokenvoiced, pianissimo pleading is set against tinkling piano rills and a whispering synth. Demonstrating his unsurpassed skill with vocal arrangements, Vandross takes the sophisticated samba of Stevie Wonder’s “Creepin'” at the half-whisper of Brazilian pop. The addition of multitracked voices and the rhythmic singing of the female backup singers make a very tasty reading. This record’s remarkable polish is also the result of the sympathetic work of singers and musician-arrangers who have been with Vandross since his first LP. Nat Adderley Jr.’s string, rhythm and synth arrangements are particularly apt on the beautifully orchestrated dreamscape of “Other Side of the World” – Rolling Stone
Choice Cut: If Only for One Night
Luther Vandross
Release Date: 19th June, 2001 (U.S.)
Label: J
Producers: Luther Vandross (exec.)/Clive Davis (exec.)/Nat Adderley, Jr./AllStar/Jon B./Babyface/Eddie Berkeley/Warryn Campbell/Shep Crawford/Eddie F./Keir Gist/Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence/Darren Lighty/Marcus Miller/Soulshock/The Underdogs/Junior Vasquez
Standout Tracks: Can Heaven Wait/I’d Rather/Any Day Now
Buy: https://www.discogs.com/Luther-Vandross-Luther-Vandross/master/310325
Stream: https://open.spotify.com/album/2YPEpjWlezCbj9jizr6ZeS?si=JFv7vNc8T2uELsg72u-UKg
Review:
“Luther's career has spanned three decades. He made his first breakthrough with "Everybody Rejoice (A Brand New Day)", which he wrote for the hit Broadway musical 'The Wiz' which was later remade for the big screen with an all star cast which included Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. He has had several successful collaborations over the years with the likes of Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson, just to a name a few. Mr Vandross is also a renowned producer, songwriter and arranger and has penned soul classics such as "Power of Love/Love Power" and "Secret Love".
Luther Vandross, his 15th solo album, doesn't disappoint. The opening track "Take You Out" (already a big hit in the clubs), sets the mood as Luther takes you through a journey of love, sorrow and life. "Bring your heart to time" is the stand out ballad of the album, closely followed by the haunting "Heaven can wait". However don't be fooled into thinking that this is just another album of romantic love songs; Luther forges his way into the new millennium with the upbeat, no messing r & b track "How do I tell her". He doesn't forget his roots either; we are taken on a trip down memory lane with "Let's make tonight the night", a track reminiscent of the funky soul of the 80's, the music that really brought him to our attention.
With this album Luther has stepped into the 21st century with style. He's combined his classic soul sound with the new digitised r & b beat, therefore cleverly pleasing his die-hard fans and also paving the way for a new generation of followers. Luther is undisputedly still the king of soul ballads but he is also recognised as a force to be reckoned with on the new r & b scene. He was recently awarded the Music Of Black Origin (MOBO) Lifetime Achievement Award. I think we can safely say that Luther's lifetime achievements are far from over” – BBC
Choice Cut: Take You Out
The Underrated Gem
Never Let Me Go
Release Date: 26th May, 1993 (U.S.)
Labels: Epic/Legacy
Producers: Luther Vandross/Marcus Miller
Standout Tracks: Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)/Can't Be Doin' That Now/Hustle
Buy: https://www.discogs.com/Luther-Vandross-Never-Let-Me-Go/master/253447
Stream: https://open.spotify.com/album/6LKej6X33QEOH1IIL9FWX5?si=05H4vLT2Tam6h82oRUzxvA
Review:
“Save for 1985’s ”The Night I Fell in Love,” Luther Vandross’ albums always come this close to perfection — and Never Let Me Go is no exception. As always, his enunciation is eloquent, his phrasing fierce; and the R&B as smooth as glass. This time Luther stumbles where he usually triumphs, on covers: in this case, a three-song medley that opens with the Bee Gees’ ”How Deep Is Your Love” — a cappella. It’s hard to hear the man who turned Dionne Warwick’s ”A House Is Not a Home” into his own heart-wrenching signature tune now drawing material from as cheesy a place as the ”Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack” – Entertainment Weekly
Choice Cut: Heaven Knows
The Final Album
Dance with My Father
Release Date: 10th June, 2003
Label: J
Producers: Luther Vandross (also exec.)/Nat Adderley Jr./Shep Crawford/Marcus Miller
Standout Tracks: Think About You/The Closer I Get to You/Right in the Middle
Buy: https://www.discogs.com/Luther-Vandross-Dance-With-My-Father/master/166303
Stream: https://open.spotify.com/album/43Ci8cugIRwfmkXEyEgfVM?si=XDs-cEm2Q2aNeLWzCXMCNA
Review:
“Luther Vandross pours his heart and soul into Dance with My Father's title track, an ambitious kickoff single that misrepresents an album where most highlights are down-tempo. Vandross' own serious ailment at the time of the single's release makes the song's references to absent loved ones even more poignant. In top form at the time of recording, he is able to deliver the song with a voice strong enough to handle the monolithic sentimentality of the lyrics and Richard Marx's swollen production. The six-minute, sensual quiet storm "The Closer I Get to You" is the other high-profile track, a duet with Beyoncé Knowles holding her own with Vandross' perfect phrasing. The rest of the album's winners are the most restrained numbers, often with Marcus Miller or Vandross himself in the producer's chair. The Vandross-helmed "If I Didn't Know Better" is a complex combination of bitterness and vulnerability, with Vandross confronting a two-timing lover. Miller's "She Saw You" borrows heavily from Timbaland's production style, adding a tasteful Wes Montgomery-toned guitar to surround another story of betrayal. Superstar R&B album conventions being what they are, Busta Rhymes' and Foxy Brown's guest spots feel more mandatory than necessary, but Queen Latifah's contribution to "Hit It Again" is welcome and inspired. Tacked onto the end of the album, "They Said You Needed Me" is a silly, light calypso and also the one true dud. Dance with My Father isn't able to maintain the high standards it often achieves, but Vandross' voice is always compelling and the background singers live up to the superior arrangements throughout. With nearly 70 minutes of music on the disc to choose from, more savvy listeners will be able to program their CD players for a more focused and rewarding listen” – AllMusic
Choice Cut: Dance with My Father
The Luther Vandross Book
Luther: The Life and Longing of Luther Vandross
Author: Craig Seymour
Publication Date: 20th December, 2017
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Synopsis:
“"Seymour's brilliant book is like a great Luther song: elegantly written, effortlessly executed and eloquently delivered." - Michael Eric Dyson "Craig Seymour paints an intimate portrait of the man behind some of the most beautiful love songs of our time...Full of juicy anecdotes, fast-paced writing, and interesting analysis, the book reveals surprising new dimensions of this much-beloved balladeer." - E. Lynn Harris "...a sympathetic look at the most popular soul singer of his generation" - New York Daily News On July 1, 2005, the world lost one of the greatest R&B vocalists of all time, Luther Vandross. He left a legacy of some of the most enduring love songs of our age: “Here and Now,” “Superstar,” “If Only For One Night,” and “A House Is Not A Home.” The notoriously secretive star also left behind many questions such as the real-life inspiration behind all of those yearning love songs. The newly updated and expanded edition of Luther: The Life and Longing of Luther Vandross takes you deep inside the singer’s private world. It chronicles his underdog journey from the projects of New York City’s Lower East Side to the top of the charts, selling more than 20 million albums along the way. The book details Luther’s triumphs, as well as his struggles: his battle with weight; his feuds with Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, and En Vogue; the 1986 car accident that killed his best friend and nearly destroyed his career; and the rumors about his sexuality that followed him throughout his life. The book offers specific new details about Luther’s love life that will help illuminate the private pain of the man who brought the world so much joy” – Amazon.co.uk