Hidden Gems

Luther Vandross | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 17, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony Legacy
• ASIN: B00795C4SA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,114 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. When You Call On Me (Baby That's When I Come Runnin')

2. Once You Know How

3. I Know You Want To

4. Once Were Lovers

5. You Stopped Loving Me

6. The Impossible Dream

7. Are You Using Me?

8. Goin' Out Of My Head

9. The Thrill I'm In

10. Heart Of A Hero

11. Buy Me A Rose

12. I (Who Have Nothing)

13. I'd Rather

14. Like I'm Invisible

15. You Really Started Something

Editorial Reviews

Luther Vandross was one of the most successful R&B artists of the 1980s and '90s. Not only did he score a series of multi-millionselling albums containing chart-topping hit singles and perform soldout tours of the U.S. and around the world, but he also took charge of his music creatively, writing or co-writing most of his songs and arranging and producing his records. He was equally well known for his distinctive interpretations of classic pop and R&B songs, reflecting his knowledge and appreciation of the popular music of his youth. Possessed of a smooth, versatile tenor voice, he charmed millions with his romantic music.

Hidden Gems is a compilation of album tracks, soundtrack offerings and rare live performances that are resonate with Luther Vandross' fans. Hidden Gems is the first time that these songs appear in one place and will allow the casual listener to discover songs they never heard and the devoted fan the opportunity to re-live what they love about Luther Vandross.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not REALLY Hidden! April 20, 2012

By chakasworld

Format:Audio CD

When seeing the title 'Hidden Gems', you'd expect to find a collection of non-album & previously unreleased songs from Luther Vandross' vault. That is NOT the case here as only 1 song was never available in the United States. 'You Really Started Something' was a Bonus Track exclusive to Japan back in 2001, and thankfully we can buy the single track here (glad I never purchased that overpriced Import version of 'Luther Vandross'). The other 2 soundtrack songs featured in this compilation ('The Thrill I'm In' & 'Heart Of A Hero') are easy to obtain and most die hard Luther fans have them already. One track that SHOULD HAVE been included is Luther's 'She's So Good To Me', which is from the 1985 soundtrack for 'Goonies'. At any rate, this 'Hidden Gems' CD is not essential for Luther Vandross fans. Let's hope that his 2 Cotillion albums are released next time. They BOTH fit onto a single CD with room to spare. Shoot, even a compilation of Luther's rare 12" extended mixes would be a welcome addition to our collections. Sometimes you'd have to wonder what they're smoking when compiling CDs like 'Hidden Gems'...SMH.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it -- takes me back April 18, 2012

By Kristin St John

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

My first CD EVER was The Best of Luther, the Best of Love. Pretty heavy for a 13 year old, but I was a fan of Luther's and my parents, probably happy that it wasn't a rap album, jumped at the opportunity. From there my love of him and his music kept growing -- to the point where I was disgusted that my Jr. Prom theme was "In Your Eyes" and not "If Only For One Night" -- seriously, I was thoroughly disappointed in my classmates.

I'll be honest, I was devastated when Luther passed -- to the point where it took my years to be able to listen to his stuff without crying. Actually, even to this day I can barely listen to Dance With My Father. Hidden Gems, though, is comforting to listen to -- the voice I fell in love with as a 13 year old is back in my living room and on my IPod -- and I can't help but hum along and smile.

He was the true king of love songs and I am so glad they decided to release this for all of us to hear. He may be gone from us, but his voice is still here to remind everone what a true singer sounds like.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars He Wasn't Invisible April 17, 2012

By Michael Kerner HALL OF FAMEVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

2012 has shown to be a deviating year of loss with soul and R&B music. No further is the sadness with the tragic death of Whitney Houston. Her voice showcased a deep bravado of simplicity and joy from each heart and soul from every single note that proved to be deeper from the soul than artists are even making strides out right now. That sadness also has came seven years ago with the loss of Luther Vandross. He had showed a elegance in his voice, without being labeled or judged for faults. He lost his life in 2005 from a heartbreaking stroke that claimed his life at age 54, but yet this April he would've been 61 years old. But with anything he was able to sing, he showed a grace that hasn't been replicated. Something in today's R&B that is careless and selfish. Now, a new compliation of his music is out there, but is it worth the money? Well, it has a few surprises in it.

Hidden Gems, the new compilation of Luther Vandross's music from the 1981-2003 consists of songs that were never featured on a Luther Vandross hits collection before, but from his past still feels like it is fresh and new. The songs have all been remastered brilliantly and include songs like You Stopped Loving Me, to Like I'm Invisible, all the way to classy covers of beautiful standards from showtunes like The King & I's The Impossible Dream to I (Who Have Nothing) with Weather Girls frontwoman Martha Wash. The songs sound great, and a noble trip back in time where artists didn't have to pretend to sing, unlike today's music scene that feels disgraceful. While the collection does stand up well, I do wish though there were a few songs that could've been included here that Luther sung in his life like Going In Circles and the Major Harris ballad Love Won't Let Me Wait, instead of his lesser-known later songs like Buy Me A Rose and I'd Rather which weren't his best at the top of his game.

All in all, when it has came to Luther Vandross and Hidden Gems, it isn't a bad buy overall of his music, and shows why he was once proclaimed the best male R&B singer in the world, according to Clive Davis. It shows why Luther could sing just about anything in the world. While it isn't a must buy for those new to Luther Vandross and his voice, it is a great buy for die hard fans who've been so loving of his gracious tones. Luther has always ranked high with the greats of R&B crooning like Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass and Otis Redding. It is one more reason Luther is one of the more dominant singers in the world, and his legacy will live on.

Album Cover: B

Songs: B-

Price: B

Remastering: B

Overall: B-