Customer Reviews

Never Too Much

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

 

 

One of the best debut album of the eighties, Luther's first solo album is an energetic masterpiece that soars from beginning to end without hitting a single false note. Luther was already producing all of his material, and he always seems to know exactly what a song needs. Everything is flawlessly arranged, with a perfect balance struck among the instruments, synths, and background vocals. Luther solely wrote six of the record's seven tracks, and he had already mastered the art of crafting strong hooks, interlaced with non-cliched lyrics. It may surprise fans of Luther's later, more laid back recordings, that the bulk of NEVER TOO MUCH contains up-tempo material.

The infectious title track is definitely the best-known track here, but every cut on this record is a classic. The post-disco dance tracks "Sugar And Spice" and "I've Been Working" are irresistible, and the harder sounds of "Don't You Know That?" and "She's A Super Lady" rival even the best funk recordings. Luther slowed things down with the touching mid-tempo "You Stopped Loving Me," which brings us to the disc's only ballad - and it's the highlight among highlights. Luther's gorgeous, heart-breaking rendition of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "A House Is Not A Home" is one of the most perfect marriages between a singer and a song. Luther recorded many more covers over the years, many of which were quite excellent, although he never surpassed the intimate power of his take on this classic.

Luther instantly connected with the public, and had achieved a considerable fan base virtually overnight. NEVER TOO MUCH hit #19 on the Hot 200, and impressively reached Double-Platinum status in sales.

No one could have predicted that Luther Vandross would have such an enormous impact and influence on modern R&B when this first LP came out in 1981, but the ensuing decade not only proved his popularity, but saw his gift deepen and improve through the years. "Never Too Much" is still his most flawless LP and it's easy to see why it remains a popular favorite over 20 years after it's release. The title track with it's deep, snapping basslines, sweeping arrangement and brisk vocal delivery is a modern classic that hasn't aged a day. "Don't You Know That?" is my favorite track simply because it's so catchy and elegant, the guitar lick and stop/start rhythm will hook you and never let go. His tour-de-force rendering of the classic "A House Is Not A Home" has become a standard in it's own right and you haven't lived until you've seen it performed live (I saw him in '96 at the Hampton Jazz Fest and he stretched this baby out for nearly 15 minutes! It was awesome!) with every nuance accented perfectly.
The rest of "Never...." isn't too shabby either, "Sugar And Spice (I Found Me A Girl)" is another funky, uptempo highlight that elevates this LP to the level of art. All of the "Early Luther" LP's are highly reccommended, but this first outing is still the one to beat.

For those who collect EVERYTHING Luther has done, I offer the following info in case you don't already have it. Luther did so much session work as a backup singer and/or arranger, that it would take days to list it all. So I am just listing the highlights. In 1973 Luther recorded a duet with Delores Hall on her LP "HALL MARK". The song is "WHO'S GONNA MAKE IT EASIER FOR ME?". In 1976 Luther formed a quintet and released an album on the Cotillion label called "LUTHER". Then as a trio, Luther released another LP called "LUTHER- THIS CLOSE TO YOU" in 1977. In 1979 Luther appeared on the following soundtrack- "SUNNYSIDE - THE NEW YORK CITY BAND" (a movie starring John Travolta's brother Joey in a teen drama). I don't know if it is a solo song or what. I do know he was part of the group THE NEW YORK CITY BAND and sang lead on some of their songs. And of course it is well-known he sang lead on a couple songs when he was part of the group CHANGE. He sings lead on 2 songs from their 1980 debut album- "THE GLOW OF LOVE", and those songs are "SEARCHING" and "THE GLOW OF LOVE". The following year he released his debut album "NEVER TOO MUCH". And what a debut.

MR LUTHER VANDROSS is my absolute favourite male vocalist and this stunning album is one of my main ones. Luther is such a perfectionist and that's evident in every song he does,whether it's a cover version or an original, he makes each song is very own!!his creamy barytone voice, such a caress,his arrangements make his songs a true standout!!.
This awesome program blasts off with the mesmerising "NEVER TOO MUCH".I've been loving this piece for over 20 years now!!.Next is "SUGAR AND SPICE" a real lively cut.Then comes the mellow "DON'T YOU KNOW THAT?", a real smooth song. "I'VE BEEN WORKING" and "SHE'S A SUPER LADY" is as bouncy as they are unique. Now here comes sadness, pain and gloom as only LUTHER can deliver,in "YOU STOPPED LOVING ME", he sounded as if he's going to pass out from rejection!!. In his cover of "A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME", i can't help but wonder if this is a personal experience of LUTHER.The hearthache and the regret is tangible!! so sad and so sweet is this song. I know that this song, this album is a true classic!!. An album by which others can be judged!. A worthy addition to any R&B collection!!!.

Luther Vandross was born to sing! By the time his debut album hit the streets, Mr Vandross was already one of the most sought-after singers in the business. "Never Too Much" is an entertaining soulful album that showcased real music before synthesizers and drum machines were the norm.

Luther also established himself as an accomplished songwriter, producer and arranger. To prove this point, some two years after releasing his debut, Luther was collaborating with his musical idols: Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick and Diana Ross - not bad at all!

The album kicks off with the title track which is a bright and breezy up-tempo number. It has the kind of catchy chorus that you find yourself singing along to. Musically, it was produced in a way that you can hear each instrument. Marcus Miller's bass provided the funky backdrop that would feature prominently on future Vandross albums.

Other tracks worth noting are:

"Sugar And Spice" - a solid old school groove and my favourite up-tempo track. It's a real feel-good track.

"Don't You Know That" is a delightful mid-tempo number.

The middle tracks flow quite nicely and we then come to the final number:

"A House Is Not A Home" is a ballad par excellence, and it demonstrated Luther's considerable nuanced vocal talents. It was Luther's desire to sing about the more sensitive part of love and relationships that gave his music its special identity - no one else sounded like him and I doubt that no one ever will.

It's sad to think that Luther is no longer with us. I'm glad that I followed his solo career right from the beginning and his solo debut would make a welcome addition to your collection

This was Luther's solo debut and it ushered in a new era in soul music- paving the way for the successes of Freddie Jackson, Jeffrey Osborne, James Ingram, Alexander O' Neal and Babyface. Luther's version of "A House Is Not A Home" is simply his most outstanding recording ever and single-handedly established him as the most important and influential male R&B vocalist of the 1980s. While nobody could have foreseen (in 1981) just how important and relevant this album would be, it's undeniable that this IS one of the ten most important R&B releases of the 1980s.

This was a good album, but to be honest I bought it because I am a Luther Vandross album collector and I had to have it for my collection. For the individual who has no idea who Luther is and just wants to hear his hits, should not buy this album as an introduction to Luther. Instead buy " The Best Of Luther Vandross:The best of love" you will most likely get what you are looking for. For the avid collector like myself, you have to buy this album for, "Don't you know that", b/c you probably already have all of the other titles on one of your other five Luther CDs.

It wasn't his first debut on album.But it was his debut as
the leader of his own thang.Hooking up with some of the best session musicians and singers in the business.A hookup lasting through later and many albums.Which is one of the things i liked about Luther.Keepin' the same group or core of people on each album.There's a security to that.A familiar/particular sound.
One of those musicians---Marcus Miller(The best bassist ever)
Leads those grooves on this album and many to come.Luther's partner in crime.When they get together. It's magic.

Never too much-Maybe Luther's sig.song. Is a classic

Sugar and Spice-Great anthem about finding your love and doin' what it takes to be wit' them

Don't you know that?-Confessing your love and devotion

I've been workin'-Needing love after the workday is through
Killer bassline. Hell! All Marcus's are killer

She's a superlady-Title says it all.A Woman all man must have and need

Until you stopped loving me-Breakup and Heartbreak

A House is not a home-A beautiful remake in a line of others that Luther will do on every album.It had me weeping months ago.
Cause his death finally sunk in.

This album is the first 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"

Luther was- Hell! Is my fav.sing.Every since I could walk,I knew of this man from my parents.I'm 25 now.So Luther was apart of my 80's /90's childhood.His passing makes you appreaciate him more.But for me.I always appreaciated him when he was alive.
Listening to all his albums back to back ,all day,non-stop.
He had a voice like no other.Original and cool.I liked his style and approached to the music.I'll miss him and forever and for always. Buy this album y'all!!!!
RIP Luther!!!!!!!!!!

What is there to say about this project that has not been said before? It is nothing short of a work of soul music classic. It is by far one of Luther's best project. This actual purchase for this project will personally be my 3rd time buying it. the 1st time of course was on vinyl, the 2nd was on the first compact disc version, now the 3rd copy will be a REMASTERED VERSION!!
the record company finally heard my prayers, I wonder will Warner Bros start REMASTERING early Prince Projects...

Despite similar sounding newer albums,in the beginning Luther was IT and "Never Too Much" is clearly his
best solo album I've heard!The tital cut is a classic that deserves it's moniker-ditto for "Sugar And "Spice,"She's A Super
Lady" and "I've Been Working"."A House Is Not A Home" is very
well sung but over produced,which is bad for us but the RADIO
likes it,right?But nevermind-Luther can BURN an uptempo cut and
this has many a firey moment!