You've just got to love Luther. Granted, he lost his way, or more likely was steered in the wrong direction by the record company, trying to cash in on MOR material to appeal to a wider audience.
How could anyone who purports to love soul music not like his rendition, of what essentially was a very MOR Bacharach & David song, which Luther turns into this masterpiece? Originally recorded by Brook Benton, many think it's Dionne Warwick who recorded it the same year, in 1964, but let's face it, who paid any real attention to it until Luther's version on his debut album in 1981? Would you believe that the last person to record it before him was Rex Harrison! There are no fewer than 177 versions registered on Second Hand Songs.
Here he is at Wembley, I am privileged to say I saw him and Anita Baker at Wembley in mid 80s on the same bill at Wembley when they were both at their peak ... what a night! I can't remember the exact year, it must have been 86 or 87?, but I also saw them individually later Baker in 1988 and Vandross in 1989 again at Wembley. I don't know why I still have these tickets but not the one from earlier, probably mislaid them.
Two of the greatest soul singers that have ever lived, both now sadly departed, but they have left a legacy that will live on forever!
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