Customer Reviews

Power of Love

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

No one sings like Luther. He has the kind of voice that makes you dance one minute and gives you chills the next.

"The Rush" is a sophisticated up-tempo track with a playful keyboard riff and sexy chorus: "I get a rush! Its love for sure!" he sings. It's definitely a head-bobbing tune.

"I'm Gonna Start Today" and "Power of Love/Love Power" both have inspirational messages. "Don't Want to Be a Fool" is a sweet mid-tempo cut that again, has a positive message.

"I Want the Night to Stay" has a surreal sound to it with a gorgeous melody. There's something magical about Luther's back-up singers that enhance his songs. "Sometimes Its Only Love" is another ballad that is moving and passionate, especially at the fade.

BUT MY FAVORITE SONG OFF THIS ALBUM is the heartwrenching duet with Martha Wash called "I(Who Have Nothing)". My Goodness!!! Talk about sparks flying! This is a powerful work of art to say the least. The first time I heard this song I was moved to tears. Luther has a way of hitting home with lyrics you can truly feel in certain times of your lives. This song is an example.

It's a shame there aren't more reviews of this album but as they say 3's a charm.

Peace. CLB.

Not only did Luther continue his incredible streak of Platinum records with the Top Ten, Grammy Award-winning THE POWER OF LOVE, but he also followed through on the crossover success of "Here And Now" by scoring two more major pop hits. He had been a mainstay of the Billboard's Hot 200 albums chart for 10 years, and now Luther was finally a force to be reckoned with on the Hot 100 singles chart as well.

Luther also adapted to the changing times by incorporating the then-popular sound of house/techno music into his compositions. Unfortunately, this type of dance music hasn't aged particularly well, so approximately half of THE POWER OF LOVE actually sounds more dated than anything he had released prior. However, this is still a pretty good album, with more than enough reasons to recommend it. Luther has much more personality as a writer and performer than most artists of this genre, and he knows how to craft a killer track. The best dance song is easily the majestic medley "Power Of Love/Love Power" (#4 Pop, #1 R&B, #3 Adult Contemporary), which was a monster hit upon release and still holds up as a classic.

However, there are a few more techno cuts on this disc that also stand the test of time. Even if the emphasis is more on style than substance, tracks like "She Doesn't Mind" and "I Can Tell You That" prove to be irresistible due to their strong hooks and inventive arrangements. Unfortunately, the by-the-numbers "Emotional Fire" is an exception to this rule, and today sounds like relic of the era. And although the urban radio hit "The Rush" (#73 Pop, #6 R&B) packs a undeniably strong sensual punch, the condensed single edit is actually superior to the overlong album version.

With the exception of "I'm Gonna Start Today" (which has clever lyrics, but is done in by a rambling melody), all of the ballads on THE POWER OF LOVE are top-notch. As the earnest "I Want To Stay The Night" and the lovely radio hit "Sometimes It's Only Love" (#9 R&B, #9 Adult Contemporary) can attest, Luther has that special gift for writing and performing songs that not only do justice to his amazing vocal abilities, but also manage to be universal without being typical. Nowhere is this more evident than on the heartfelt smash hit "Don't Want To Be A Fool" (#9 Pop, #4 R&B, #14 Adult Contemporary), which stands as one of his heartbreaking best.

Even if some moments of THE POWER OF LOVE don't hold up as well as others, there are so many highlights, most listeners won't care. Also, though the album doesn't gel into the unified listening experience of his previous recordings, it is so well-made and professional-sounding that it always sounds good while it's on. And it also has an absolutely terrific finale in the epic reworking of "I Who Have Nothing," on which Martha Wash lends a sizzling duet vocal.

As is commonly known, Luther was seeking greater "crossover" appeal with this album and, to some extent, he succeeded. The cut "Power of Love/Love Power" cracked Billboard's top ten on the respective "Hot 100", "Adult Contemporary", and "Hot R & B/Hip-Hop" charts while "Don't Want to Be a Fool" and "The Rush" made their mark, also.

The best track IS the duet with Martha Wash. She and Luther are the epitome of soulful song interpretation.

Why she doesn't record more is one of the great enigmas of modern music!!!

In "Power of Love," Luther serves up another tasty playlist, featuring such songs as "Power of Love/Love Power," "Don't Want to Be a Fool," and "Sometimes It's Only Love." He always knows what he's singing about. I play this album with my girlfriend all the time. If you want to experience the magic of Luther, get this album now! You'll be glad you did.

Power of Love finds Luther Vandross at his peak, crafting immaculate urban R&B hits that are seductive and soulful. The singles "Power of Love/Love Power," "Don't Want to Be a Fool," "The Rush," and "Sometimes It's Only Love" are the high points, but the album is filled with songs that are nearly as powerful, including a wonderful cover of Ben E. King's "I (Who Have Nothing)."

Great purchase, Luther Vandross was one of the greatest singers of all times I'm sure all you Luther lovers will agree.

LUTHER VANDROSS is a gift to R&B music as we know it, a singer's singer, a perfectionalist in his craft...the consumate artist.
This album "POWER OF LOVE" is just simply superb, it's got it all, deep,senseuous ballards, uptempo disco cuts and stuff inbetween. So whatever emotion or mood you want to experience it is here !!!.
"SHE DOESN'T MIND" is a uptempo ballard, a standout cut. "POWER OF LOVE/LOVE POWER" is such a bouncy song with a classic feel to it, I realy love this song !!. "I'M GONNA START TODAY", a nice crossover with a real positive message, excellent craftmanship. "THE RUSH" is simmilar to "I'M GONNA START TODAY" yet with a defferent message, these songs are strong !!.
"I WANT THE NIGHT TO STAY" is such a sensuous, gloomy yearning ballard, you can litteraly feel it. I love it.
Well "DONT WAN'T TO BE A FOOL" is in a class by itself, what a message, it puts you in a meditative and a dancing mood at the same time !!!I love it alot ! gr8 work !!.
"I CAN TELL YOU THAT" is like a zepher !! so cool, so lively, so fresh !!.
"SOMETIMES IT'S ONLY LOVE" is poetry in motion, oh,what a gloomy sweet ballard, a favourite here, I never tire of these songs.
"EMOTIONAL LOVE" is as good as LUTHER gets with bouncy cuts, dandy !!.
My most loved song on this effort is the timeless "I WHO HAVE NOTHING" with MARTHA WASH. He again takes an old classic and makes it spanking new !!. It's such a melter it touches deep inside...the yearning...the disire...the lust...the anticipation...so tangible..the emotions.. so real..This is a true duet !!!.
The entire album is a stunning standout, a must have, this is just great music, I highly recomend this one to all...whether a LUTHER fan or no...it's a real pleaser...

Luther Vandross was "the" man who can set a loving and joyfull mood anytime. The voice of Luther Vandross was like no other. I highly recommend to all who love hearing him sing.

It is my firm belief that every time somebody legendary dies in a particular music genre a piece of that genre dies with them. If you think Im being inflexible for no reason look at the hacks that populate that genre now. Luther Vandross is the epitome of Soul music/R&B. When he died a piece of R&B died with him. His voice is phenomenal and he made the smoothest ballads that these so-called gangstas were probably conceived to.

The first song I ever heard from Luther Vandross was Power Of Love. That song is soulful as well as catchy. When I hear songs like She Doesn't Mind, I Want The Night To Stay, Dont Want To Be A Fool I am reminded of a time when R&B was just that and not this pop stuff its trying to be now. Luther Vandross is one of the people that strengthened R&B and this was one of the albums that did it. There are no bad songs on here so lets move on.

Power Of Love is one of the best R&B albums from one of the best soul singers to ever grace the mic with that wonderful voice. His death saddened me especially now when R&B is a complete mess. Granted that there are a few artists that are pretty good now but its going to take more than a few good artists to restore a dying genre.

The vocals are fantastic, the production is great and this album will stand the test of time while a lot of these overrated R&B albums out now will fade away. Rest in peace Luther Vandross. You will never be forgotten.

Standouts: The whole album. Nuff said!

The Rush, I want the night to stay, and I who have nothing with Martha Wash are the best songs on this CD to me. This one is very good.