| Never Let Me Go | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Luther Vandross |
| Cover: | Luther Vandross - Never Let Me Go album cover.jpg |
| Released: | May 26, 1993 |
| Recorded: | October 1992–February 1993 |
| Studio: |
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| Length: | 55:28 |
| Prev Title: | Power of Love |
| Prev Year: | 1991 |
| Next Title: | Songs |
| Next Year: | 1994 |
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.
Los Angeles Times critic Dennis Hunt called Never Let Me Go "another classy collection of mostly slow and medium-tempo romantic songs--some gliding along on elegant, light-gospel undercurrent – featuring his high, cooing, sexy vocals [...] The album doesn’t offer much variety, and sometimes Vandross’ brand of lush soul feels mannered. There are no surprises either, but Vandross knows his audience isn’t looking for surprises." Entertainment Weekly felt that "Vandross’'albums always come this close to perfection – and Never Let Me Go is no exception. As always, his enunciation is eloquent, his phrasing fierce; and the R&B as smooth as glass. This time Luther stumbles where he usually triumphs, on covers."
AllMusic editor Ron Wynn rated the album two out of five stars. He found that the album "contains more examples of his supple, fluid vocals, expert delivery, and sophisticated yet soulful style [...] Perhaps the only sign of creative wear and tear is the album's structure; there's no real blockbuster single, and the final medley, which blends classics from The Spinners and Bee Gees, sounds thrown together, but these production and arranging elements do not diminish his vocal prowess." Rolling Stones J.D. Considine wrote that "Never Let Me Go, like most Luther Vandross albums, is a flawless display of technique blessed with exquisite singing, well-crafted arrangements and a mix that has been tweaked to perfection. Unfortunately, the end result is more soporific than soulful — meaning that all Vandross ends up with is the quiet-storm equivalent of elevator music."
Performers and musicians
Technical
| Chart (1993) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[2] | 98 | |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[3] | 24 |