So Amazing: An All-Star Tribute To Luther Vandross

Performer: Various Artists
Producer: Jimmy Jam; Terry Lewis; Raphael Saadiq; Arif Mardin; Hani; The Underdogs; James Wright; Jerry Duplessis; Face & Pagani; Dave Tozer
Distributor: BMG (distributor)

Notes: They weren't kidding when they put "All-Star" in the subtitle, but the most satisfying thing about this big-name tribute to the late Luther Vandross is how many of these "All-Stars" let their guard down, expressing both genuine grief over the loss of R&B's most likeable fellows and jubilation over his music, which spoke to so many people, offered a rich blend of influences, and had a warm, soulful grace both in its writing and delivery. Mary J. Blige captures everyone's first encounter with the great "Never Too Much" with a bit of dialog before launching into one of her warmest, most elegant performances. The grief of Aretha Franklin on "A House Is Not a Home" is monolithic, while fellow diva Patti LaBelle hits every "I need you now" in "Here & Now" with touching despair, inferring loss over lyrics that deal with comfort and "always being there." His smoky performance on "Love Won't Let Me Wait" just proves how great a "John Legend: With Strings" album would be, while Angie Stone and "Since I Lost My Baby" is the perfect marriage of singer and song. Well-dressed, finger-snappin' numbers from Jamie Foxx, Fantasia, and Beyonc� with Stevie Wonder capture Luther's big smile while Donna Summer recalls his disco roots with a dancefloor "Power of Love." Add Alicia Keys and Jermaine Paul sounding epic on "If This World Were Mine" and you've got enough highlights to ignore Celine Dion's maudlin "Dance with My Father" and Elton John's misguided Joe Cocker impersonation on "Anyone Who Had a Heart," another "duet" with the deceased made possible through Pro-Tools. Besides these minor annoyances, So Amazing is meatier than most tributes, with deeply grateful performances that not only capture the spirit of Luther but do an excellent job of bringing his widespread influence to the surface. ~ David Jeffries When vocalist Luther Vandross passed away in 2005, R&B/soul music lost one of its leading lights. On SO AMAZING, many of Vandross's friends and admirers pay tribute to the beloved singer with stirring renditions of his best-known songs. Artists that influenced Vandross (Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin) and were influenced by him (John Legend, Usher) both make appearances, with Stevie Wonder and Beyonce bridging the generation gap on their excellent duet version of "So Amazing." Other highlights include Mary J. Blige's funky cover of "Never Too Much" and Usher's emotive take on "Superstar." While fans will never forget Vandross, this disc provides a fitting reminder of his musical legacy.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25