I'm in Need of Love [Import]

Lou Courtney, Lou Courtney | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 26, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Soul Brother
• ASIN: B00003G1H0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #206,387 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Common Broken Heart

2. Since I First Laid Eyes On You

3. What Do You Want Me To Do

4. The Best Thing a Man Can Ever Do For His Woman

5. I Will, If You Will

6. Somebody New is Lovin' On You

7. I'm Serious About Lovin' You

8. I Don't Need Nobody Else

9. Just To Let Him Break Your Heart

10. I'm in Need of Love

Editorial Reviews

First time on CD for this long lost rare groove classic, originally released in 1974. I'm In Need Of Love has all the hallmarks of Lamont Dozier, Sam Dees etc.. Blues & Soul magazine rates it as 'the best soul album of all time'. Soul Brother Records.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Obscure soul LP finally sees the light of day again., December 15, 1999

By 

Len Romano "soulrocket" (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I'm in Need of Love (Audio CD)

This is a straight reissue of Lou Courtney's mid-70s soul masterpiece. It's been far too difficult to obtain for far too long - so, BRAVO to Soul Brother Records for having the good sense to make this classic album available on CD - utilizing the original cover artwork and lovely sound quality. If you grab a copy of Billboard's Hot 100 from any week in the early to mid 70s, you will see an abundance of fantastic soul artists dominating the charts. Great singers pouring their very souls into deep and thoughtful lyrics, all surrounded with magnificent arrangements and high-class production jobs. Artists like Curtis Mayfield, Al Green, Paul Kelly, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Willie Hutch, Billy Paul, O-Jays, Donny Hathaway, and dozens more. They were the artists whose work latched into the mainstream consciousness and had worldwide hits. Their vast talents were, thankfully, recognised and acknowledged. Unfortunately, not all Soul artists were that lucky. Lou Courtney is one artist (among many others) who deserves to be held in the same esteem as any of the artists listed above - and this CD can easily stand alongside any of your favorite 70s soul albums. It really is that good. Beautifully sung, written and co-produced by Lou. Majestically arranged and produced by the legendary Jerry Ragovoy. This wonderful set of songs contains dancefloor groovers, mellow mid-tempo swayers, and late-night romantic ballads but all tracks are infinitely soulful. If you're in a hurry to receive this CD, Amazon's UK website will ship it in 24 hours. If you do buy this CD and you like it - please write to Atlantic Records and urge them to release the 1975 Sam Dees LP called "The Show Must Go On" also. It too, is one of the big ones that slipped away obscenely un-noticed.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A TRUE CLASSIC, August 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: I'm in Need of Love (Audio CD)

I got a hold of a vinyl copy of this brilliant album some 10 years ago and have been playing it consistently ever since. One can only wonder why it took so long for somebody to pick it up for re-release. Anyway, if you like smooth 70's soul and you're serious about your music, you can't be without this one. It's that good - up there with the Sam Dees and Leroy Hutsons of this world. Many sought-after obscure albums have only one or a few worthwhile tracks. This one is packed with gems and the whole ting really comes together the way a good album should. Great vocals, brilliant production, great tunes and even great lyrics. An all-time top 5 soul thing for me, no question about it. In other words, if you haven't listened to this album, you don't really know how good 70's soul can be. Nuff said.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my 10 desert island albums, June 17, 2010

By 

David J. French "Frenchy49" (Ny, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I'm in Need of Love (Audio CD)

I've had this album on vinyl since it came out in 1974 (had to buy another one because we were wearing it out) and was just so happy to be able to pick it up on CD. My wife and I absolutely love this album. It's hard to even think of writing a review without seeming like I'm going over the top about it, but that's just how good it is.

It is intensely soulful and funky. He's got such a great voice and musically, it's a true little gem. The musical director, Leon Pendarvis, keyboardist and band leader for the Saturday Night Live band, has put a sweet touch on each and every tune and the band is absolutely peerless. Each song also has it's own life, they sound different from one another, has a unique groove and goes through changes seamlessly.

"Since I First Laid Eyes on You," goes thru a number of rhythmic passes, kind of like a little symphony, movement to movement. And the same is true for any other number of tunes, I won't review them one by one, it would just seem redundant... They all stick in your head.
This album is about love, committment, heartache and life without seeming smarmy or maudlin. I can only imagine what he went through to reach the point where he came out of it with these tunes. It's a distillation of human emotion and to have been captured as it was is an amazing achievement. He's preaching because he's feeling it and he's not trying to convince you, just tell you.

Not only is this one of my top 10 desert island albums, it would be picked in the first five.