Customer Reviews

Never Let Me Go

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Even though this album peaked at a very strong #6 on the Hot 200 and was certified Platinum in sales, NEVER LET ME GO has since been unfairly labeled as one of Luther's lessor efforts. I've personally never understood this assessment. While the album may have a few weak moments (and honestly can't hold a candle to his fantastic eighties' records), it's actually quite good overall, and it has more than a fair share of standout moments. Artistically-speaking, much of the album is in the same early-'90's dance mode as THE POWER OF LOVE, however, when taken as a whole, NEVER LET ME GO is actually even better.

First of all, while it's no secret that Luther has a singing voice that is unmatched by anyone on a technical level, it is worth noting that Never Let Go features some of his finest recorded singing. The soaring ballads "Love Me Again" and "Too Far Down" are vocal tour de forces, and stand as pure examples of what Luther does best. The cleverly-arranged "Little Miracles" (#62 Pop, #10 R&B) and the kinetic "Heaven Knows" (#94 Pop, #24 R&B, #15 Dance) were both excellent single releases that deserved to be much bigger hits. The disc also concludes with a terrific medley of the Bee Gee's "How Deep Is Your Love" and Joe Scott's title track, and remains a reminder of the new spin Luther can bring to worn-out songs.

NEVER LET ME GO's biggest problem is that, aside from the cover medley, all of the disc's strongest tracks are included in the first half - which makes the album feel a little top-heavy. On the disc's second half, there are two dated techno tracks that sound like Power of Love outtakes ("Hustle," "Emotion"), both of which sound almost hysterically overwrought. Also, the song "Lady, Lady" steals the medley from Luther's own superior 1989 hit "She Won't Talk To Me" almost verbatim. However, all of this is perfectly listenable, and, in the end, it's the strong moments on NEVER LET ME GO that really stay fresh in the listener's mind. That's what makes this perhaps Luther's most underrated album. If you're already a fan of his, you won't be disappointed by picking this up.

This CD is the best. It got me through some really tough times when I first got it a few years ago. Luckily it's a CD and can't be worn out. The music speaks to you and Luther........what else can I say. Can't wait for his new release.

Luther wrote the two greatest songs on this cd (in my opinion) which are: "Love Me Again" and "Too Far Down".

But the best track on this disk is "Never Let Me Go". I have a version of Aretha Franklin singing the heck out the song. But, Luther has a different voice and (ultimately) a different take on that song!! Its romantic and smooth!! ITS A GREAT SONG!!!!

This album by LUTHER VANDROSS is in no doubt another supreme effort, it's somewhat different from the "classic ones",eg "NEVER TOO MUCH","GIVE ME THE REASON" etc but guess what, nothing and no one stays the same, the only constant is change !!!.
Yet it's the same LUTHER VANDROSS in terms of the emotions radiating from the songs...the lonliness..the gloom..the yearning..the sadness..if you listen real keenly..it sounds as if he is crying meanwile singing..it's like osmosis..his songs pass right through your body and resides in your soul..that's how potent his records are...there is no one else in all of musicdom which can deliver this incredible effect...
"LITTLE MIRACLES" is a R&B/gospel laced track that gives you hope and uncertainity at the same time, excellent writing !!. "HEAVEN KNOWS",so bouncy, a standout like sunshine !!. We got some gloom and hope in the ballard "LOVE ME AGAIN" it touches, especially at the fade, sad/sweet to the very end, my absolute favourate here !!. "CAN'T BE DOIN' THAT NOW", is a real sweet uptempo piece here, be lovin' it !!. Now the gloom/hope returns in the well crafted "TOO FAR DOWN" a favourate .
"LOVE IS ON THE WAY" is a very busy cut to keep you dancing. I realy love "HUSTLE" this song is strong, bouncy and sweet, pounding beat !!. The beat goes on with the pulsing "EMOTION EYES" kinda sad.. Another busy piece is "LADY,LADY".
You know LUTHER is a fan of oldies but goodies, he always gets something old and makes it new..this time it's a medley of three.."HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE/LOVE DON'T LOVE NOBODY/NEVER LET ME GO" this is absolutly fantastic !!, a beautiful conclusion to this work of art..Without doubt, it's a good idea to pick this treasure up..it will sparkle in your private stock !!!.

I have been looking for this CD by Luther Vandross for a long time, and I finally found it on Amazon, I love this CD!

This is a good CD. It has great songs i like the song heaven knows. It has a great drum programing on it and great keyboard sounds. Has great Love songs songs on it that make you want to cry even the happy ones and the sad ones. Luther Van dross really improved himself on this CD.

Luther pretty much had me from the first moment I heard Never Too Much and I was all too aware that he wasn't exactly a household name even when I heard that.This is one of those CD's I've seen floating around budget CD bins pretty much since it came out. And somehow that reality made it seem as if it were an album to be avoided. Not only that but,as I've stated in many reviews the years 1991-1993 were kind of sketchy years for me in terms of new music because.....well as with now just about everything especially in R&B was starting to sound pretty much the same. Much as the same with Power of Love there are a lot of "adult contemporary" type ballads on this album "Little Miracles","Love Me Again","Can't Be Doin' That Now" and "Too Far Down" are certainly in that vein but either way around it the songwriting is so good and the vocal turns so powerful you don't end up turning them off,as typical as the production may sound."Heaven Knows" is a great song,showcasing the type of smooth groove Luther does so well and a more....tasteful production."Love Is On The Way" and "Hustle" have a strong urban hip-hop/funk flavor that at least doesn't rely on the typical "pop jack swing" everyone else seemed to doing at the time. Marcus Miller of course,who from his work with Miles Davis sure knew his way around proto hip-hop beats and basslines really gave Luther's street flavor on these songs a little extra kick from within the glossy coat of the songs. No drum or drum machine credit exists for "Emotional Eyes" which is one of the more impressive tunes here. The beat has an unexpected kind of roll to it.That extra added flavor to the groove goes very well with the lyric about dealing with both toughness and vulnerability."Lady Lady" is just a fun,bouncy tune with a very 80's feel to it.And not tacky 80's either. As is typical of Luther he closes the album with a romantic medley.This time around it's "How Deep Is Your Love"-a good enough rendition for sure. But it's Luther's own "Never Let Me Go",with a......quite grooving sax solo from the usually softball Kirk Whalum and a great pleading vocal treatment. Because in the years since this album out this particular type of R&B has'nt been taken very seriously over the years as the music in general has gradually grown more and more shallow,a lot of Luther's music from the 90's tends to get a bum deal because of his classic 80's albums.But whether or not this kind of music interests you it's worth checking this one out for a more than pleasant change of pace.

This CD is is a Luther classic. I have most of his music and dont know how I missed this one, a great addition to my collection.

If for nothing else.... buy this cd for "Never Let Me Go". Why this song was not promoted the way other classic Luther Vandross ballads were , I'll never know.

It is truly one of the best love ballads I've ever heard.

I have been looking for this CD for a while I had all of his song's except Never Let Me Go. Now i'm complete.