As a gamer who’s been around for a while now, I can say that discovering new music from legends like Luther Vandross is always a thrill, much like finding that rare collectible in a game you’ve been playing for years. The release of “Michelle” feels like that elusive secret boss level unlocked, and the smooth, lush vocals of this R&B icon have breathed new life into a classic song.
Back in 2005, Luther Vandross sadly passed away, but this week, some previously unheard music from this legendary R&B artist surfaced – it’s a rendition of the iconic ’60s Beatles song “Michelle.
After Vandross’ passing, Fonzi Thornton, his dear friend and musical partner, stumbled upon an untouched tape while sifting through the singer’s music collection, old videos, cassette tapes, personal belongings, stage costumes, and other items at his family’s place. He subsequently transferred these archives to a secure room in his own apartment for safekeeping.
In his handwriting, I discovered two cassettes labeled ‘Michelle’. At first, I had no clue what they were, but curiosity got the best of me and I decided to listen. To my surprise, it turned out to be a stunning adaptation of a classic Beatles song, reworked in Luther Vandross’s unique style. Excited by this discovery, I shared it with Jeff James, A&R at Sony, and Dave Gottlieb, the estate manager for Luther Vandross. We all agreed it was a remarkable find. After careful consideration, we decided to hold onto it until the perfect moment – that time has come now.
The debut of “Michelle” happens around the same time as the premiere of the Luther Vandross documentary titled Luther: Never Too Much, which made its first appearance at the Sundance Film Festival and will open in select cities on Nov. 1. On Dec. 13, the album Never Too Much: Greatest Hits, containing a total of 21 tracks, will be released. This collection includes previously unheard songs and remixes, along with the singer’s well-known hits such as “Here and Now,” “Endless Love,” and “Power of Love/Love Power.
In a more natural and easy-to-read way,
Marcus Miller, a dear friend and colleague, shared with THR that they had begun working on something but were unable to complete it. Luther apparently chose to set it aside to tackle later, yet it remained unfinished. Despite this, the brilliance of Luther’s voice remains undimmed. He employs every facet of his voice with such ease and mastery – it continually leaves me in awe, Marcus added. Moreover, near the end, you get a taste of the enchantment that Luther could weave when harmonizing with his own background vocals! It’s possible that he intended to swap these out with his exceptional backup singers eventually – but for now, he crafted something truly delightful on his own. In essence, another timeless song has been infused with Luther’s touch!
In the documentary, Thornton shares that Vandross once expressed his fondness for how the song ‘Michelle’ was composed. This statement was made in the company of Miller, Mariah Carey, Nile Rodgers, and the documentary’s producer, Jamie Foxx.
He praised Sarah Vaughan’s rendition, but never spoke about recording the track himself. I assumed it was an attempt to create a classic love song for each album, similar to ‘A House Is Not A Home’ and ‘Always and Forever.’ Surprisingly, none of his band members or technicians recall him ever recording this particular song.
Marcus Vandross kicked off his musical journey as a backup vocalist for artists like Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, and David Bowie. In 1981, he launched his own career with the double-platinum hit album Never Too Much. Over time, he went on to sell approximately 40 million albums globally. The majority of his albums, which he often produced himself, received either platinum or double platinum certification.
The film titled “Luther: Never Too Much“, helmed by acclaimed director Dawn Porter, delves into the intricate career of the iconic singer and his struggles with his sexuality and weight issues. This documentary comes almost two decades following the eight-time Grammy winner’s death in 2005 at the age of 54, after a stroke in 2003.
The documentary will premiere on CNN, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and Max next year.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-25 16:57