Songs
Luther Vandross is a much underrated songwriter, a master at capturing the moment in a possible romance when things can go either way. Nonetheless, the loudest applause at his concerts is usually reserved for his interpretations of Leon Russell's "Superstar," Stevie Wonder's "Creepin'" and Bacharach & David's "A House Is Not a Home." For fans who prefer to hear Vandross interpreting standards, the singer has devotedSongsto nothing but material by other writers. The singing is every bit as sumptuous as might be expected, but the song choices are a bit peculiar. Vandross draws not from the great "American Songbook" composers like George Gershwin and Duke Ellington nor from the great soul-music composers like Smokey Robinson and Curtis Mayfield but from the melodramatic, overblown field of the pop-soul crossover hit. One can sympathize with Vandross' desperation for a big pop hit, for he is long overdue, but he ends up betraying his best qualities on this project.--Geoffrey Himes