Truly great collection (Truly The Love Songs - Lionel Richie)

Member Name: NikkiH

Product:	Truly The Love Songs - Lionel Richie
Date:	31/05/01 (167 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good songs

Disadvantages: A couple of weak links

Not exactly blessed in the looks department, ex-Commodore Lionel has still managed to carve out a career as a romantic crooner of catchy and very popular love songs.

Truly is a collection of 19 tracks, which show that when he was at his best, there were few better, although sometimes there was an overload of cheesiness. This CD is pure indulgence of slush. People worldwide must like it though, because he has sold over 60 million albums worldwide.

If you think that because it is a collection of love songs, all you will get are ballads then you are wrong. Lionel opens up with "My Destiny", and dance influenced song from the late 1990's. This song proved to be the one which thrust him back in the public eye after seemingly years in the pop wilderness. He does not disappoint though, and quickly follows this up with the all time classic duet "Endless Love" which sees him alongside Diana Ross. It is a truly beautiful song, but as so many people have it as "their" song, you can sicken of it easily.

Lionel first achieved fame and fortune with The Commodores, and no collection of love songs would be complete without the sublime "Three Times A Lady". I love this song, the lyrics are from the bottom of the heart, and Lionel's voice is suited to this song so well, which has made it an all time classic ballad.

There are lesser known tracks on the CD such as "Don't Wanna Lose You", and I see this as a bonus, because it is a very good track, not the best, but still deserves it's place in the collection. Then just be get you back into the comfort zone, the next song is "Hello". It was a major hit when it was released, and again it remains as a classic song, although without the video, it does not seem to have the same impact.

Back to the era of The Commodores with the ballad "Sail On". Another ballad, but not as laid back as others, although the next
track is. "Easy" is another Commodores track, and is the perfect chill out song. "Easy like Sunday morning" just sums the song and it's mood up in one line.

The next track was a film soundtrack song. "Say You Say Me", was criminally ignored when it was released, and when you hear it again, you forget how very good a song it is, and the same goes for "Do It To Me" and "Penny Lover". They are instantly recognisable, but fade from the memory with time, and that is a shame. "Truly" does not seem to match up to the rest of the songs, however this weak link is quickly forgotten with the next track "Still". My all time favourite Commodores ballad sees Richie singing as if on the verge of tears, and this is understandable as the lyrics are touching and beautiful.

Another less well known track follows, "Love Will Conquer All". It is an average song, but still deserving of it's place in the collection, as does "Sweet Love". The next track brings back memories of my childhood. "Ballerina Girl" was my favourite song when I was 7 or 8. I used to play it and sing really loud, so much so that my mum used to plead with me to stop.

The CD lacks a big finish with "Still In Love", "Oh No", and "Just To Be Close To You", but reaches a peak with the final track "Stuck On You". It is a great ballad with great lyrics again.

Buy this, it is the ultimate collection of love and slush.

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