Essential Luther Vandross [Original recording remastered]

Luther Vandross | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 10, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00009P1LW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,572 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #39 in Music > R&B > Quiet Storm
  • #57 in Music > R&B > Contemporary R&B

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EVERYTHING THAT A BEST OF SET SHOULD BE & MORE, July 18, 2003

By 

guillermoj (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Luther Vandross (Audio CD)

Although I agree with reviewers who are upset that there have been so many attempts to cash in on Luther Vandross' alleged "best of" (and almost all of them with the exception of 1989's "Best of Love" are sorely lacking), this 2 CD set is truly the only one that fits the bill and deserves 5 stars as it dos not skip on the "essential" and is sequenced seemlessly. Also, there is no filler to be found in this collection, unlike most 2 CD "essentials" that should be (at best) reduced to one CD.

With the exception of 1985's "The Night I Fell In Love" (which may be in my top 20 list of my favorite releases (which will exclude greatest hits releases to even up the field) most of Luther's albums have not been outstanding on the whole as there have been some "sameness", especially when it comes to the musical productions or instruments in vogue when originally recorded, but this collection takes care of that limitation but putting the most catchy songs on it as well as classic remakes and duets (when duets were more than marketing ploys or ego gratification efforts) and simply make both CD's a pleasure to listen to again and again. Also, unlike other releases, none of the songs is reduced to the "single" release, which tends to cut off songs either for space considerations or just because. Can you imagine "If This World Were Mine" or "(I) Who Have Nothing" not released as they were intended? Thank Epic or Luther for not cutting off songs.

I understand that some would not want to shell out more money if they've bought one the previous "lesser" alleged best of Luther releases, but this is the one to own and replaces 1989's "Best of Love" as the must have set "If Only For One Night".... Enjoy!

Here's to Luther gaining more strength and overcoming his current health challenges.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Power of Luther, September 29, 2005

By 

MICHAEL ACUNA (Southern California United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Luther Vandross (Audio CD)

"The Essential Luther Vandross" was originally released in 2003 before his illness and untimely death.
Many of the songs that introduced Luther to the world are included here and they once again gave me goose bumps as I listened to these 2 CD's, re-experiencing the emotional wallop and other-worldly effect of Vandross's style and magical tenor voice.
Cut 6, Disc 1: "I Who Have Nothing" begins an unrelentingly beautiful chain of songs that ends with "Here and Now" some 9 songs later.
Listening to what Vandross and Martha Walsh do on the old war-horse, "I Who Have Nothing" and I can't help but be reminded that Vandross spent time in his life as a Vocal Arranger: the interplay and dynamics between he and Walsh, the magical side-by-side glissandos, the total emotional commitment make this song as pure a masterpiece as anything, ever in popular music.
And the next song? Vandross's penultimate recording of Bacharach's "Anyone Who Had a Heart" once the total domain of Dionne Warwick but now of Luther's. And if these two don't floor you, there's "A House is Not a Home" with Luther's spectacular vocal riffing ending this song like a fireworks show: multi-colored, dramatic, dynamic and emotionally available.
There is no doubt that Vandross possesses one of the great popular voices of our lifetime and along with Roberta Flack (so human, so real, so warm), Lauryn Hill (likewise, warm, womanly, committed) to name a couple...he only takes on songs that he can emotionally eviscerate and make his own. He is not a surface singer, merely content to sing the notes on key (which he always does...he is a consummate musician as well), he invests his performances with His reality, His Soul and ultimately His Love.
There are other "Best Of" Vandross collections out there but none of them present Luther as well as this one.
The Heldentenor of popular singers is gone now but his life's work is here for you to experience once again. Tread lightly here, keep your ears open and a box of Kleenex at hand...Luther is On.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the latest & most complete greatest hits, October 8, 2005

By 

John Doe (Oregon, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Luther Vandross (Audio CD)

I recently bought this 2 CD set @ a local warehouse club. I was looking for one collection that offered all Mr. Vandross' greatest songs. I did consider the 1999 "Greatest Hits" release, then I found this wonderful 2003, 30 track set. I really liked the fact that all the tracks featured were "handpicked by Luther himself" and that the songs were remastered. I only wish that since this is a sony music disc it should've been available in their (superior) SACD format. The legend of Luther Vandross will never die. Great collection