Dance with My Father

by Luther Vandross

Overview

Luther Vandross pours his heart and soul into Dance with My Father's title track, an ambitious kickoff single that misrepresents an album where most highlights are down-tempo. Vandross' own serious ailment at the time of the single's release makes the song's references to absent loved ones even more poignant. In top form at the time of recording, he is able to deliver the song with a voice strong enough to handle the monolithic sentimentality of the lyrics and Richard Marx's swollen production. The six-minute, sensual quiet storm "The Closer I Get to You" is the other high-profile track, a duet with Beyonce Knowles holding her own with Vandross' perfect phrasing. The rest of the album's winners are the most restrained numbers, often with Marcus Miller or Vandross himself in the producer's chair. The Vandross-helmed "If I Didn't Know Better" is a complex combination of bitterness and vulnerability, with Vandross confronting a two-timing lover. Miller's "She Saw You" borrows heavily from Timbaland's production style, adding a tasteful Wes Montgomery-toned guitar to surround another story of betrayal. Superstar R&B album conventions being what they are, Busta Rhymes' and Foxy Brown's guest spots feel more mandatory than necessary, but Queen Latifah's contribution to "Hit It Again" is welcome and inspired. Tacked onto the end of the album, "They Said You Needed Me" is a silly, light calypso and also the one true dud. Dance with My Father isn't able to maintain the high standards it often achieves, but Vandross' voice is always compelling and the background singers live up to the superior arrangements throughout. With nearly 70 minutes of music on the disc to choose from, more savvy listeners will be able to program their CD players for a more focused and rewarding listen. ~ David Jeffries

Product Details

Release Date:	06/10/2003
Label:	Sony Music Entertainment
UPC:	0886919844429

Tracks

1. If I Didn't Know Better
2. Think About You
3. If It Ain't One Thing
4. Buy Me a Rose
5. The Closer I Get To You
6. Lovely Day
7. Dance With My Father
8. She Saw You
9. Apologize
10. Hit It Again
11. Right In the Middle
12. Once Were Lovers
13. Lovely Day, Pt. II
14. They Said You Needed Me

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Luther Vandross   Primary Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Beyonce Knowles   Primary Artist
Busta Rhymes   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals
Queen Latifah   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals
Foxy Brown   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals
Beyonce   Primary Artist
Cissy Houston   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Stevie Wonder   Guest Artist,Soloist,Harmonica
Bashiri Johnson   Percussion
Jay Williams   Guitar
Nat Adderley, Jr.   Piano (Electric),Piano,Keyboards
Victor Vega   Guitar,Guitar
Reggie Hamilton   Bass
Michael Harvey   Vocals (Background)
Ulisa Ivey   Vocals (Background)
Michael J   Vocals (Background)
Rick McDonald   Vocals (Background)
Jerome Ramos   Bass
Joyce James   Vocals (Background)
Candace Thomas   Vocals (Background)
Ricky Watford "Bishop"   Guitar
Chris James   Piano
April Owens   Vocals (Background)
Sharon Bryant   Vocals (Background)
Tawatha Agee   Vocals (Background)
Paul Jackson, Jr.   Guitar
Cindy Mizelle   Vocals (Background)
Jerry Ramos   Bass
Ivan Hampden   Drums
Philip "Silky" White   Vocals (Background)
Ricky McDonald   Vocals (Background)
Ebony Mack   Vocals (Background)
Joy James   Vocals (Background)
Julia Byrd   Vocals (Background)
Khadijah Mohammed   Vocals (Background)
Skip Anderson   Soloist,Keyboards,Vibraphone
RL   Vocals (Background)
Byron Miller   Bass
Brenda White-King   Vocals (Background)
Shanell Irving   Vocals (Background)
Kevin Owens   Vocals (Background)
Brion James   Guitar
Robbie Nevil   Guitar,Keyboards
Phil Hamilton   Guitar
Rick Watford   Guitar
Marcus Miller   Vocals (Background)
Big Bub   Vocals (Background)
James "D-Train" Williams   Vocals (Background)
Fonzi Thornton   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Ivan Hampden   Drum Programming,Keyboard Programming,Arranger,Composer
James Mtume   Composer
Eddie F.   Producer,Remixing,Remix Producer
Donny Hathaway   Composer
Luther Vandross   Composer,Producer,Vocal Arrangement,Executive Producer
Jeff Jones   Make-Up,Hair Stylist,Make-Up,Hair Stylist
Lionel Richie   Composer
Ronald LaPread   Composer
Nat Adderley, Jr.   String Arrangements,Arranger,Producer
Ray Bardani   Mixing,Engineer,String Engineer
Reed Vertelney   Arranger,Composer,Programming,Drum Programming,Keyboard Programming
Rex Rideout   Arranger,Composer,Drum Programming,Keyboard Programming
Claudius Mittendorfer   Assistant Engineer
Darren Lighty   Producer,Remixing,Remix Producer
"You Can Ask" Giz   Mixing,Engineer
DJ Kay Gee   Producer,Remixing,Remix Producer
Jim Funk   Composer
Dave Perini   Assistant Engineer
Chris LeBeau   Artwork,Art Producer
Matt Snedecor   Assistant Engineer
Erik Hickenlooper   Composer
Gabriel Varde   Engineer,Tracking
Alli   Art Direction
Kevin Westenberg   Photography
Paul J. Falcone   Vocal Engineer,Vocal Recording
Jill Dell'Abate   Production Coordination
June Ambrose   Stylist
Roger Innocent   Hair Stylist
Joyce James   Performer,Group Member
Max Szadek   Assistant,Personal Assistant
Candace Thomas   Performer,Group Member
Al Brown & His Tunetoppers   String Contractor
James Porte   Arranger,Composer,Drum Programming,Keyboard Programming
Carl Cyrius   Assistant Engineer
Jamie Wallace   Assistant Engineer
April Owens   Performer,Group Member
Stan Wallace   Engineer
Skip Scarborough   Composer
Shep Crawford   Producer,Instrumentation
Beyonce Knowles   Duet
Bill Withers   Composer
Flip Osman   Assistant Engineer
Daniel Milazzo   Assistant Engineer
James Ervin   Choreographer
Loren Howard   Mixing Assistant
Skip Anderson   Arranger,Programming
Jeff Bova   Sound Design
Jim Ervin   Choreographer
Michael McCoy   Assistant Engineer
Jason Dale   Assistant Engineer
Al Brown   String Contractor
Herb Powers   Mastering
Robbie Nevil   Composer
Jason Stasium   Assistant Engineer
Richard Marx   Composer,Drum Programming,Keyboard Programming
Ezekiel Lewis   Composer
Reggie Lucas   Composer
Marcus Miller   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Drum Programming,Keyboard Programming
Fonzi Thornton   Composer,Vocal Contractor