Customer Reviews

Forever for Always for Love

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Forever, for Always, for Love" recalls a time when r&b still had its innocence and creative juice. On this second album from Luther Vandross, we're treated to stellar samples of soul at its most classic. The breakup song for the ages is "Since I Lost My Baby." A younger, trendier singer would jump at the opportunity to overemote and oversing the poignant lyrics, turning the song into an overwrought mess. But here, Luther's elegant voice smoothes over this song with minimal effort, making it one of his very best album tracks. Other standouts are the upbeat opener "Bad Boy/Having a Party," the sizzling title song, and "She Loves Me Back." These and other tracks make this an essential must-have from one of the best vocalists this planet has.

Luther's sophomore release is every bit as exceptional as his debut outing, which was a tour de force itself. Luther was on his way to proving that he was finest male vocalist of the eighties, and this highly consistent, tightly-woven recording showcases his other considerable talents as well. The bravura medley of "Bad Boy" and "Having A Party" was the first track to prove that Luther has an undeniable gift for merging two seemingly different compositions, and actually making it work seamlessly. Luther's amazing versatile is really evident on this album, where he proves he can master nearly any emotion from the optimism of the delightful "She Loves Me Back," to the desperation of the intense "Promise Me."

No matter the tempo, Luther always instinctively knows how to interpret a song. The loosely-rendered title track, in particular, could have been a mess in the hands of a less capable performer, but the song is nothing less than stunning when graced with Luther's golden timbre and effortless phrasing.. And as always, his cover of choice (this time Smokey Robinson's "Since I Lost My Baby") gives both his vocal and his emotional range a thrilling showcase. The record-buying support from Luther's cult of fans continued with FOREVER, FOR ALWAYS, FOR LOVE, and the album hit #20 on the Hot 200 and was certified Platinum.

NOTE: Also in 1982, Luther produced Cheryl Lynn's album ISTANT LOVE, and he lended his voice to a cover duet of the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrel classic "If This World Were Mine" (#4 R&B). The single was a major R&B hit, but once again failed to make any impact on the Hot 100.

This album came out when I was 12years old...I would go to my best friends house and play it. I played it so much her family purchased it for christmas for me.. When It came out on CD I ran to the store to get it. My all time favorite Luther song is "She loves me back!" yeah! yeah!....

I can sum it up like this. As soon as I saw the title to the cd..my heart started fluttering. This cd is pure magic!! Every tune is a hit. Since I lost my baby, Bady Boy, Forever, for always...

If you are a Luther Fan..this is definately a cd that you both need and will want to have.

It is truly a work of art

'Forever,For Always,For Love' is Luther's critical sophmore release from 1982.Luther Vandross is very much going out of his way to fasion a grand soul epic with this release where even the uptempo songs have a very cinematic feel to them.All eight of these longish songs are wonderful,beautiful and hoplessly romantic as always.My favorites are of course "Bad Boy/Having A Party",'You're The Sweetest One" and "She Gives Love Back",all of which are peppy dance tunes with great hooks and each one had an elegant house party atmosphere.The title cut is very beautiful and also extrodinarily melodramatic.And Luther REALLY lets his soul bare on "Since I Lost My Baby".As opposed to David Ruffin's more tortured tone on the original Luther gives the song a lot more meloncaughly and sadness.On the album cover Luther is leaning cowly up at you almost as if to say "come inside because I've got some great stories to tell".And this is an inviting album-Luther shares his musical and lyrical concepts of love and human relationships here and all the RSVP's are sent out.As always he makes the best use of Marcus Miller as writing partner and crucial bassist and keeps his links strong to classic R&B.This creamy smooth album stands somewhat in contrast to the slightly more groove oriented sounds of Never Too Much and Busy Body which this is sandwiched between but certainly being in the middle can be a wonderful advantage.

Luther was still a young, hungry artist when this was issued 20 years ago and the difference between this Luther and the newer, refined, updated Luther is the passion and fire in his delivery. The Vandross of 1982 was still perfecting his chops and wasn't afraid to reach for notes, excercise restraint and subltety and stretch a song out to an almost painful length. While it contains less than 10 tracks, "Forever...." has an epic feel to it. Elegant tracks like the title song and the beautiful, flawless "Promise Me" lend the LP it's grace and sophistication, while the opener, "Bad Boy (Havin' A Party)" sets a happy mood from the start. This was produced in the early 80's just as disco was on it's last legs, but for an album released in that era it bears none of the embarrassing sounds and pretentions that mars most music from early in the decade. This is the second in a line of classic "Early Luther" albums that are still essential listening.

Luther keeps the great R+B songs coming.No sophmore jinx.
Just as good if not better than "Never Too Much".

Bad Bad/Having a Party-Night time.Party Groove.Feel good song.

Sweetest One-Lady so sweet.While u groove to the beat

Since I lost my Baby-Another great remake in Luther's repertoire.

Forever,For Always,For Love-A Nice slow jam.One of Luther's Best. Goin' thru the motions of love

Better Love-Sometimes the grass may seem greener on the other side.But he can't love u like me.Great tune

She Loves Me Back-Song about communicating wit' your lady

Promise Me-A Song of Plea about forever love

Once you know how-Everybody has the ability to fall in love.
It's easy to do.

The Second in what I like to call "Gettin' to know Luther trilogy"Which are his first four albums.They sum up the fact that he's "LUTHER"

1.Never Too Much
2.Forever,For Always,For love
3.Busy Body
4.The Night I fell in love

Definitely check this album out

between this great cd and Luthers first cd. Forever, For Always For Love is awesome, the first song to the last. A must have for your collection. I played it on my way to work today!

between this great cd and Luthers first cd. Forever, For Always For Love is awesome, the first song to the last. A must have for your collection. I played it on my way to work today!

I just purchase this CD a couple years ago. In I want to get some of Luther earlier recordings. He has a voice the melts with not only his lyrics he is so in sync with the lyrics and his voice So Very, Very Richly compliments his songs, lyrics. What Amazing Talent. Every song from Bad Boy/Having a Party to Since I Lost My Baby are so Rich of his Velvet voice you actually touch his emotions and his delivery of each of his song. His Voice is what reachs so deep within your soul and spirit. I can't say enough about Luther Vandross. With his so very Recent Passing this commentary of this songs for me is so overdue from me. I really Admired his Talent and His Dreams. He voice will be so missed. The one thing I regret is that I never got to see Luther Vandros live I really regret that but his music lives on. The Legacy of Velvet Voice and Heart of a Champion. Ratings from 5 being the Highest to 1 being the Lowest
1. Bad Boy/Having a Party 5 Stars S0 Amazing
2. You're the Sweetest One 5 Stars
3. Since I Lost My Baby 5 Stars
4. Forever, for Always, for Love 4 Stars
5. Better Love 5 Stars
6. Promise Me 4 Stars
7. She Loves Me Back 5 Stars
8. Once You Know How 5 Stars