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Welcome to the SALections!

April 2026

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This month's SALections is dedicated to the Velvet Voice / none other than Luther Vandross

Luther was born in April, 75 years ago in New York City in 1951. Little did they know then the impact he would have on the world as an iconic R& B soul singer, songwriter and record producer.

He began his career in the late 60's and by the 70's he was singing background for the the likes of Roberta Flack, Todd Rundgren, Bette Midler, Chaka Khan, David Bowie, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Donna Summer and Barbara Streisand to name just a few.

He was also a very successful commercial jingle writer creating songs for KFC, Pepsi and Burger

King. But what made Luther known around the world where his Love Songs and here is a tribute

to one of his best numbers, Never Too Much. Do you know this song? Sure you do!

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Never too much features one of those lines written by Luther in 1981 that is as good as it gets.

Now let's hear from the man himself deliver the song with all his gusto at Royal Albert Hall.

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Never Too Much

If you ever go to LA, there is a whole section at the Grammy Museum dedicated to Luther.

And the outfits he would wear on stage like this one.

His catalogue of songs is one hit after another - smooth romantic R&B ballads that capture that

feeling when your with your partner for a special evening....like this one live from Wembley.

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In his spectacular 35-year career he won 8 Grammy's and what you may not know about Luther is

not only was he gifted with that voice, but he orchestrated and wrote most of his music. He knew

when the drums should come in / the lead guitar / the violins - what an amazing talent. He wrote

songs for other artists, including David Bowie. Luther's performances could take your breath away

because he went over every line of every song with his background singers so they knew when to

come in and when he was taking it solo. Nothing was left to chance by this Superstar. One of the

crowd favorites nominated for a Grammy in 1986 / was this one - a song he opened his show with

on occasion - Give Me the Reason!

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Give Me the Reason

At the 1986, NAACP Image Awards, Luther brought the house down with his stirring performance of

a House is not a Home.

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Luther's soulful phrasing and his unique bass rumble would make the women crazy.

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A House is not a Home

A global superstar who was funny, generous with his time and humble.

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The Arsenio Hall Show

Imagine this foursome coming together to sing Dionne Warwick's smash hit, That's What Friends

are For.

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That's What Friends Are For

When it came time to pay tribute to Luther when he received the Quincy Jones Award at the

1999 Soul Train Awards for his massive contribution to the music world, they brought out the big

guns - Whitney, Johnny Gill, El Debarge and Kenny Latimore.

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Tribute for Luther Vandross

Never Too Much / Give Me the Reason / Here and Now / Don't Want to Be the Fool /

Any Love / Dance with My Father / If Only for One Night / Wait for Love /

There's Nothing Better than Love / So Amazing / Power of Love /

A House is Not a Home / Endless Love / Until You Come Back to Me /

If This World Were Mine / There is Nothing Better than Love /

So many Amazing Songs written, orchestrated and sung by the Velvet Voice himself the

incomparable, Luther Vandross!

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If Only for One Night

He could be very funny on stage / having fun with the crowd as he does in this live

version of the Power of Love.

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Power of Love

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GRATITUDE

So what are you grateful for in April?

Maybe the end of a bitter cold and snowy winter? Happy to see more daylight as the days get longer. Thankful for friends, family and the blessing of good health. For a night of Luther's music with the love of your life.

A Million Days in Your Arms

Is NEVER TOO MUCH

-Luther Vandross

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THANK YOU – GRAZIE – MERCI – OBRIGADO

That wraps up the April Edition of the SALections with our Tribute to LUTHER VANDROSS.

The SALections is proud to sponsor the Fabulous South Philly String Band.

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Special thanks to Barb Berlin, a great friend and my former weekend news anchor & work wife in Richmond for her amazing proofreading skills. Thank you Barb!

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#SALectionsApril2026, #LutherVandross, #HereandNow, #NeverTooMuch, #GiveMetheReason, #aHouseisnotaHome #BarbaraBerlin, #SouthPhillyStringBand, #Gratitude, #Love

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#SALections #Humor, #SaxSolos, #Concerts, #CinemaLou, #Gratitude, #GivingThanks, #PlacestoVisit, #BarbBerlin, #Heroes, #OldPhotos, #Gratitude, #DayTrips, #Promises, #FavoriteDishes, #MomentsThatTakeOurBreathAway, #AcousticandAcapella

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Website ​www.SALectionsofthemonth.com​
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