More from FONZI THORNTON on LUTHER VANDROSS

Here’s another great interview with Fonzi Thornton talking his friend Luther Vandross and the new album Hidden Gems.

Read the interview here:

http://digitaljournal.com/article/322931

Fonzi Thornton Talks About Luther – Wall Street Journal Interview

Luther Vandross’ friend and collaborator, Fonzi Thornton, recently spoke with The Wall Street Journal about Luther and the new album Hidden Gems. Watch the interview in the video below.

http://www.luthervandross.com/news/fonzi-thornton-talks-about-luther-wall-street-journal-interview

LUTHER’s Hidden Gems heats up the blogs

Hidden Gems, the just-released album from the late, legendary Luther Vandross is getting a fine show of love across the soul bogs.

Check out this great tribute on Soul Cuts here:

http://www.soulcuts.org/2012/04/luther-vandross-a-tribute-by-james-eldon/

Also, a brilliant preview from Bill Buckley for soulandjazz funk, preceding a forthcoming album review here:

http://www.soulandjazzandfunk.com/news/1723-happy-birthday-luther.html

Hidden Gems is out now on Epic/Sony Legacy.

More to come!

LUTHER VANDROSS – Hidden Gems

 

Here’s an exciting news story from Soul Tracks on a new album release from Luther Vandross.

 

They write:

 

“The overwhelming talent of the late Luther Vandross (1951-2005), eight-time Grammy Award-winning singer extraordinaire, songwriter, producer, arranger, and soul music visionary, are the focus of HIDDEN GEMS. 

 

This new collection of 15 seldom-heard deep album tracks and movie soundtrack songs is released in the U.S on  April 17, 2012, just three days prior to Luther’s birthday on April 20.  The collection is released by Epic/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.”

 

Read the full story from Soul Tracks here:

http://www.soultracks.com/story-luther-hidden-gems

BEVERLEY KNIGHT – Always & Forever performance

If you missed Beverley’s beautiful performance of Always & Forever on Lorraine Kelly’s Daybreak show last week, watch it here:

Also, a great interview with Lorraine here:

Finally, Bev spoke movingly about Whitney Houston’s influence to Channel 4 News, which you can catch here:

 

Bev’s new EP Love Soul (Soul UK Live) is out now.

BERNARD EDWARDS breaks it down about Luther Vandross and Chic

This is essential viewing!

The legendary Nile Roggers has posted a brilliant video interview on his blog page, where his late, great Chic bandmate Bernard Edwards talks about their work with Luther Vandross!

Watch here:

http://nilerodgers.com/blog/planet-c-blog-roll/283-walking-on-planet-c-it-also-makes-me-smile

Amazing, right?

Exclusive! JODY WATLEY selects her Top 10 Makeovers!

Jody Watley’s new album The Makeover is an outstanding set featuring her unique interpretations of some classic and soon-to-be-classic songs, but we wanted to know … what are her favourite makeovers? 

Says Jody:  A makeover completely transforms a song making it unexpected and new again. Here are some of my favourites:

1. Luther Vandross “A House Is Not A Home” (Hall of Fame)

2. Marvin Gaye “Star Spangled Banner”

3. Grace Jones “La Vie En Rose’

4. Maxwell “This Woman’s Work” 

5. Isaac Hayes ‘By The Time I Get To Phoenix”

6. Nuyorican Soul “I Am The Black Gold of The Sun” (i’d never known of the rotary connection original)

7. Adele “Make You Feel My Love” (didn’t know it was a Dylan song until she did it)

8. Brand New Heavies With 4Hero “I Don’t Know Why I Love You”

9. Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You”

10. D’Angelo “Feel Like Making Love”

Great list, Jody

Video-wise,  Jody  continues to fire on all cylinders! Check out a further clip from the album, this time for the killer cut A Beautiful Life :

The Makover is out now.

The SOUL FOOD Weekend List!

With the weekend already upon us, here’s the SOUL FOOD List with another fine round-up of the week’s soul news and clips.

1. Listen …

…to a fantastic interview with Motown legend Mable John talking to Craig Charles on 6 Music about her work and the Divas of Motown shows.

 

 

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/funk_soul/

 

2. Watch …

… Alicia Keys chatting to Billboard about the connection between her new new songs Doesn’t Mean Anything and Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart.

 

 

3.  Read…

… a killer interview with Lynda Laurence talking the Supremes and Divas of Motown to Blues and Soul. 

 

 

 

http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/473/supremely_blessed/

 

4. Remember….

… the vocal and songwriting genius of Luther Vandross, on the release of an extensive new compilation (Never Too Much – The Soul of Luther Vandross) mining his best work on Epic Records that all soul connoisseurs will love. 

 

 

5. Wait…

…until next week for an exclusive from Jody Watley! She’s delivered a stunning set of interpretations on her hot new album The Makeover – now hear what she has to say about her own favourite makeovers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a great weekend!

The Soul of LUTHER VANDROSS on film

Earlier this week we posted about the brilliant new compilation Never Too Much – The Soul of Luther Vandross, showcasing his finest work on Epic Records.

Now, here comes a clip list featuring some of Luther’s  best video moments to remind you of why he really is one of soul music’s greatest talents.

In no particular order!

 

1. Give me The Reason

 

2. Never Too Much

 

3.  A House Is Not a Home

 

4. Any Love

 

5. I Can Make It Better

LUTHER VANDROSS is Never Too Much

Let’s keep it real:  there will never be a soul vocalist finer than Luther Vandross. In the four years since his untimely passing, Luther continues to be sorely missed, and his amazing contribution to the soul music canon deeply felt.

There has been many compilations put out by the U.S. over the years – but none ever included the real gems that the UK soul fraternity love.

Until now!

Never Too Much – The Soul of Luther Vandross  has been compiled specifically with the UK market in mind. There are a couple of omissions (for legal issues), but this is his finest work on the Epic label.

The album was compiled by Soul Food’s own Steve Ripley (who worked with Luther since first days at Epic Records), with liner notes album prepared by  David Nathan.

Full tracklisting below:

CD1:

THE RUSH
THE NIGHT I FELL IN LOVE
GIVE ME THE REASON
BETTER LOVE 
SEE ME
DON’T YOU KNOW THAT
SHE LOVES ME BACK
IT’S OVER NOW
I WANTED YOUR LOVE                                                                                                       YOU MAKE ME A BELIEVER
IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU
PROMISE ME
ONCE YOU KNOW HOW
WAIT FOR LOVE

CD2:

NEVER TOO MUCH
BAD BOY/HAVING A PARTY
FOR YOU TO LOVE
SHE’S SO GOOD TO ME
SINCE I LOST MY BABY
ANY LOVE
MY SENSITIVITY
SUGAR AND SPICE
I’LL LET YOU SLIDE
IF ONLY FOR ONE NIGHT
BUSY BODY
CREEPIN
SO AMAZING
A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME
YOU STOPPED LOVIN ME

ALL the tunes, right?

Amazon download link here: 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002PXJZJM?ie=UTF8&tag=sonymusiccommercial-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B002PXJZJM

An exhaustive and heavy hitting collection from one of soul music’s greatest…