Never Let Me Go (Luther Vandross album)

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Never Let Me Go
Studio album by
Luther Vandross
ReleasedMay 26, 1993 (US)
RecordedOctober 1992–February 1993
Studio
Genre
Length55:28
Label
Producer
Luther Vandross chronology
Power of Love
(1991) 		Never Let Me Go
(1993) 		Songs
(1994)
Singles from Never Let Me Go
  1. "Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)"
    Released: April 27, 1993
  2. "Heaven Knows"
    Released: September 7, 1993

Never Let Me Go is the eighth studio album by American R&B/soul singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, released on May 26, 1993, in the US by Epic. It was his first studio album not to debut at #1 on the R&B Albums chart.

The album became the third consecutive top-ten album on the Billboard 200 for Vandross, peaking at number six, and was released to mixed to positive reviews, earning Vandross numerous awards and accolades including three Grammy Award nominations at the 36th Grammy Awards in 1994. Vandross's cover of the Bee Gees hit, "How Deep Is Your Love" was nominated for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 36th Grammy Awards in March 1994. In addition, the album's first two singles "Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)" and "Heaven Knows" received nominations in the Best R&B Song category.

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Chicago Tribune[2]
Robert Christgau(neither)[3]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[4]
Los Angeles Times[5]
Music Week[6]
Rolling Stone[7]

Track listing[edit]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)"Luther Vandross, Marcus Miller4:43
2."Heaven Knows"Vandross, Reed Vertelney5:00
3."Love Me Again"Vandross, Miller6:07
4."Can't Be Doin' That Now"Vandross, Vertelney, Alan Scott4:47
5."Too Far Down"Vandross, Miller6:14
6."Love Is On the Way (Real Love)"Vandross, Miller4:41
7."Hustle"Vandross, Miller5:45
8."Emotion Eyes"Vandross, Hubert Eaves III4:56
9."Lady, Lady"Vandross, Miller5:34
10."How Deep Is Your Love/Love Don't Love Nobody (Instrumental interlude medley)"Robin Gibb, Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, Charles Simmons, Joseph Scott Jr, Joseph Jefferson3:12
11."Never Let Me Go" (Johnny Ace cover)Joseph Scott Jr.4:29

Personnel[edit]

  • Luther Vandross – lead vocals, vocal arrangements
  • Marcus Miller – keyboards (1-7, 9), bass (1-8, 10), drum programming (1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9), percussion programming (1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9), music arrangements (1-7, 9), additional drum programming (2, 4), additional keyboards (8, 10), backing vocals (9)
  • Jason Miles – sound programming (1-5, 8, 9)
  • Philippe Saisse – acoustic piano (2), synthesizer (2), keyboard programming (2)
  • Reed Vertelney – keyboard programming (2, 4), drum programming (2, 4), music arrangements (2, 4)
  • Eric Persing – sound programming (3, 6, 7, 10)
  • Hubert Eaves III – keyboard programming (8), music arrangements (8)
  • Nat Adderley, Jr. – keyboards (10), music arrangements (10)
  • Paul Jackson, Jr. – guitar
  • Doc Powell – guitar (10)
  • Ivan Hampden – drum fills (2)
  • Michael White – cymbals (3)
  • Kirk Whalum – saxophone solo (10)
  • Joe Soldo – string contractor (10)
  • Tawatha Agee – backing vocals
  • Lisa Fischer – backing vocals (1, 3, 5)
  • Cissy Houston – backing vocals
  • Paulette McWilliams – backing vocals
  • Cindy Mizelle – backing vocals (1, 3, 5, 9)
  • Kevin Owens – backing vocals (1, 5)
  • Tamira C. Sanders – backing vocals (1, 5, 9)
  • Fonzi Thornton – backing vocals (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10), vocal contractor
  • Brenda White-King – backing vocals
  • Phillip Ballou – backing vocals (2, 9)
  • Michelle Cobbs – backing vocals (2)
  • Myrna Smith-Schilling – backing vocals (7, 10)

Production[edit]

  • Marcus Miller – producer
  • Luther Vandross – producer
  • Ray Bardani – engineer, mixing
  • Michael Morongell – engineer
  • Shelly Yakus – engineer
  • Bruce Roberts – recording (6)
  • Steve Barncard – assistant engineer
  • Bob Borbonus – assistant engineer
  • Fred Bova – assistant engineer
  • Thom Cadley – assistant engineer
  • Jonathan Little – assistant engineer
  • Gary Mannon – assistant engineer
  • Gary Myerberg – assistant engineer
  • Chad Munsey – assistant engineer
  • Mark Tindle – assistant engineer
  • Dave Collins – mastering at A&M Mastering Studios (Hollywood, California).
  • Marsha Burns – production coordinator, manager
  • George Corsillo – art direction, design
  • Matthew Rolston – photography
  • Hutaff Lennon – personal assistant
  • Elijah Reeder – personal assistant
  • Billy Bass – manager
  • Shep Gordon – manager
  • Alive Enterprises, Inc. – management company

Charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[14] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References[edit]

  1. ^ link
  2. ^ "The Best Of Vandross On Record". Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  3. ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: luther vandross". Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  4. ^ "Never Let Me Go". 11 June 1993. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  5. ^ Hunt, Dennis (May 30, 1993). "Vandross: Mr. Romantic". Retrieved April 20, 2017 – via LA Times.
  6. ^ Jones, Alan (June 5, 1993). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Albums" (PDF). Music Week. p. 7. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  7. ^ "Never Let Me Go". Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  8. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Luther Vandross – Your Secret Love" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  9. ^ "Luther Vandross | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  10. ^ "Luther Vandross Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  11. ^ "Luther Vandross Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  12. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1993". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  13. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 1993". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  14. ^ "American album certifications – Luther Vandross – Never Let Me Go". Recording Industry Association of America.


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