I've just seen a new version of the 1976 L.T.D. classic 'Love Ballad' made famous by George Benson but it got me wondering how many versions of it there are. Heres' a list of ones I could find (20 so far). There's a few reggae covers which I've omitted as it was de rigueur for them to make reggae versions of hits. I've also excluded instrumentals, as again a lot of jazz artists, in particular, do instrumental covers of hits, although I quite like Gary Bartz's version. If you know of any others (which there probably are) then leave a comment and I'll add them.
Click artist name to listen to track or album name to view in Discogs.
I've flagged the better versions with an asterisk.
*2020 - King South - 'Made 4 TV Vol. 3.5' LP
A new release 28 Dec 2020.
2018 - Billy Price - 'Reckoning' LP
This one doesn't do it for me I'm afraid the blue-eyed vocals are too strained.
2018 - Unlimited Source - 'Down In The Cellar' EP
A pretty soul-less uptempo jazz/funk version dug out of the archives. Unlimited Source were an 80s UK home counties jazz/funk group.
Dave Lee doing his stuff as his alter ego Joey Negro on George Benson's version.
201? - The Finest v Love Ballad - 12"
This is a bootleg remix using Joey Negro's track remixed by David Curniffe titled The Finest v Love Ballad.
2011 - Anthony Nicholson - 'Year Of The Rebel' LP
An uptempo modern take.
2007 - The Temptations - 'Back To Front' LP
Pretty faithful to the original but adds little.
2006 - Kenny Lattimore & Chanté Moore - 'Uncovered / Covered' LP
Husband and wife duet (now divorced).
2005 - Patti LaBelle - 'Classic Moments' LP
Patti doing her thing - not to my taste.
*2005 - Freddie Jackson - 'Personal Reflections' LP
A good version from 80s slow jam legend.
2000 - Alton Miller - 'Rhythm Exposed' LP and on 12"
A pretty lame house/dance version which is just an excuse put a melody over some beats IMHO and the vocal is pretty poor!
*1998 - K-Ci & JoJo - 'Love Always' LP
Cedric Renard Hailey & Joel Lamont Hailey
*1996 - Assorted Phlavors - 'Assorted Phlavors' LP
A decent (and probably quite obscure) RnB version by four girl group from their only album.
An additional track on 12" and CDr only for Love Will Keep Us Together
*1994 - Tanya Blount - 'Natural Thing' LP
A good version from Baltmore singer from her her debut album
1989 - George Duke - 'Night After Night' LP
This is essentially an instrumental version
*1979 - George Benson - 'Livin' Inside Your Love' LP
Everyone must surely know this version.
*1976 - L.T.D. - 'Love To The World' LP
Love Togetherness & Devotion featuring Jeffrey Osbourne on lead who left the group in 1980 to pursue a solo career.
It's still a 'no brainer' for me - L.T.D. for the most soulful and George Benson for the most dancable. Freddie Jackson and K-Ci & Jo Jo's versions are worthy efforts and I like the Tanya Blount version which I've had on CD since release.
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