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Item No: 013

Posted: 05/06/05

Item: The Passing of Two Soul Stars; Seaside Soul Reflects

By Sean O'Connor

The first weekend in July saw the loss of Obie Benson of the Four Tops and will no doubt be sadly missed. The Four Tops are scheduled to appear with the Temptations later this year in Manchester and at going to press there is no news of any postponement. We will be playing a tribute to him at the next night.

Read the Obie Benson Tribute at Soul Source

If that wasn't bad enough then I'm sure the whole music business, once it realises despite the distraction of Live 8, will be shocked to hear of the sad loss of Soul Legend Luther Vandross.

To many purists Luther spelled the death of Soul Music and brought the genre in a washed down version into the shopping malls of the States, but I think that's a very crass description.

Sure some of his music was commercial, but it was to a very large appreciative audience. Luther had a fantastic voice and brought out some great work in the early 80ss through his collaboration with bassist Marcus Miller.

My first recollection's of Luther Vandross stems from around 1983/84 and hearing "Never Too Much" and then hearing the album "The Night I Fell in Love".

Reading and listening more about the scene, I heard "My Sensitivity" (covered last year by Ledisi). His input on Aretha Franklins "Jump To It" album, and the blinding tracks "This Love's For Real", and "Its Just your Love" (still a real modern soul gem from 1982).

I recall with fondness Richard Searling's midweek soul sessions at the Halfway House in Chorley back in 1986/87 and Luther's music fitted in so well with the two step scene back then, as it had done at The Morecambe Pier Allnighters with "I wanted your Love" in particular being a favourite, and who could forget Change "Glow of Love" and his guest vocals.

He also guested on Gregg Diamond's "Hot Butterfly" a wonderful piece of two step seventies boogie.

I suppose real soul fans will remember "Don't Wanna be a Fool" on Cotillion, being a track that was championed at the soul weekenders and has now crossed into the northern rooms, such a great record. The track comes from what is probably his best work, from the album "This Close to You" from 1977.

If you see a copy then don't hesitate to buy one, it doesn't come cheap. This is a solid album with 8 glorious tracks and I'll be playing one or two at the next night.

As the years went by we had the excellent "Give Me The Reason" album in 1988 and from there he kept the albums going collaborating on many good dance 12's.

Eddie Edmonson will be playing a 90 minute tribute on Lakeland Radio this weekend and I'm sure Eddie will do him justice.

Luther had a great voice, silky smooth and I'm sure we are all going to miss him.

Read Luthers Biopick from Soulwalking

Last Updated: Monday 19 December, 2005 22:00