Search - Lionel Richie :: Can't Slow Down

Album of the Year - and more than just a love song....

L.A. Scene | Indian Trail, NC USA | 09/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I felt this album was 1983's Album of the Year (even though it took a Grammy a year later). This album was the perfect answer to Michael Jackson's Thriller. On this album, Lionel Richie puts together an awesome suite of ballads and up-tempo songs that cement this as one of the great albums of all time. What makes this great is how Lionel brings in a potpourri of new avenues - Country/Western (Stuck on You), Calypso (All Night Long), Early New Age Instrumentals (The Only One), and Rock (Running with the Night). The background vocals are superb - especially by an artist who would soon emerge in his own right (see below).The title track is very underrated. During the days of 80s Top 40 radio since this wasn't a single, it didn't get played on the airwaves. It was a shame because the song "Can't Slow Down" is one of the better tunes on the album. It has a nice uptempo beat and could easily be a song to groove to in the clubs."All Night Long" is a legendary song. The calypso combo was revolutionary back in 1983 and this song really took off. It also showed a new side to Lionel Richie as a songwriter and singer who was willing to explore new avenues of sound. This song also features background vocals by a an artist named Richard Marx, who would soon become a star in his own right."Penny Lover" is the pure classic Richie love song ballad. If you like a Lionel Richie ballad, you probably love Penny Lover. It's not the most popular Richie song, but it holds its own on the album."Stuck on You" shows another avenue that Lionel Richie explores - Country/Western. This song has a unique Country/Western feel. Perhaps working with Kenny Rogers rubbed off on Lionel Richie. The result is a classic ballad with this exciting feel to it."Love will Find A Way" is a weaker track on this album, but not a bad track. This is one of these songs that can pick you up when you're down. It has a distinct R&B flair to it that makes it enjoyable. Richard Marx also provides background vocals."The Only One" is another underrated song. It was co-written by David Foster who composes such great instrumentals like from "Love Theme from St. Elmos Fire". This song brilliantly brings the David Foster keyboard arrangements in with Lionel Richie's voice. This song was again a victim of the prejudice of Top 40 radio - it is a classic. Richard Marx again provides background vocals. "Running with the Night" explores the Rock avenue with participation from Toto musicians. The highlight of this song is the great guitar solo by Toto Guitarist Steve Lukather. Jeff Porcaro also provides drums. This song has some excellent bridges and has a feel of excitement throughout the song. Richard Marx also provides background vocals."Hello" is just a pure emotional song. Many folks were hooked on this song because of the emotional video that featured a blind woman sculpting Lionel Richie, but this song really deserves to be heard on its own without watching the video.This album is often a forgotten album in the 80s, but really deserves all the accolades. The most important thing to remember is its much more than Lionel Richie Love Songs - its a great collection of new avenues by one of the all time greats."

Seering With the Night.........

! Metamorpho ;) | Castle in Scotland | 02/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Don't know if you heard the news or not, but yesterday Punxsutawney Phyllis (an emortional vampire friend of mine) did not see her reflection in a mirror. You know what this means don't you? Yes. 6 more months of Metamorpho's reviews! And I just know there will be great celebration today because of it. What? You say the celebration will be for the Super Bowl? Parties etc.? Ohno- you must be mistaken. It's for me - I'm sure it is. ;)



That said, I am reviewing this Lionel Ritchie c.d. "Can't Slow Down" was a stand-out in the 80's. In a season with one hit wonders and safety pants (or was that dance?), this selection is a refreshing breeze. Some people may consider this too middle of the road. However, there are real reasons for it's success, which I will tell you because you asked nicely.



Certainly the smart videos he produced for MTV were a big part of it. Classy and well done. By the time this music had arrived, he was well-known as a considerable artist, given that he was with the Commodores and had also put out a previous solo album (also quite excellent). His songwriting was crisp, smooth, easy on the ear and he was also a lyrical master of the love ode. Earnest, heartfelt; alot of these songs wrap you in a comfort that is hard to qualify. But, it's there. One listen and you'll feel it too.



There is a nice mix here. There are beautiful, hook-filled ballads ("Penny Lover","Stuck On You" "Hello"), which play like pure velvet on the ears. An easy groove like "Love Will Find a Way" and harder groove like "Can't Slow Down". Lionel also possesses the creativity to write a calypso-flavored party classic "All Night Long", to the surprise of no one.



One of my favorites, "Running With the Night" employs a pop-rock chug a-long with smokin' silken guitar lead. In all honesty, he hits upon something for everyone here and the effort is flawless. Oh, I can hear the complaints now - the music is too studio polished, the music is too saccharin, Lionel sold out. I don't go along with any of it. He assembled top notch musicians here and paid alot of attention to his craft with great care. It shows. That is why it was a shining light back then and, I think, is so today.



In closing, this is a fine, easy listening selection to play when someone like Sondra the Seeress comes to visit your astute Metamorpho. Music in the background-- me with brandy - she with chardonnay - the lovelight twinkle in both our eyes. Ahhhhhhhhhh..........



Let the music play on, play on, play on....... Metamorpho ;)







"

1983's Best R&B album

Soulchild'sA'Comin' | Queens, NY USA | 02/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"1983, competitive year for black music. Michael Jackson and Prince were still hot with their albums, Thriller and 1999 respectively. The Pointer Sisters, Kool & The Gang, Cameo, Midnight Star, and Shalamar were leaving behind their signature disco styles and adapted either New Wave or Rock/Funk blends, which gave them hot albums for 1983. Jeffrey Osborne, Kashif, O'Bryan, and Luther Vandross were amongst new soul stars that were talented producers and performers that blew up towards the black community in 83'. What artist has all that, and alot more?? Lionel Richie!!



Like MJ scored with Off The Wall and truimphed with Thriller, Lionel did the same with his self titled debut and Can't Slow Down, respectively. I was born in late of 1983, around the same time this album was released. My father still has the original lp in working condition, remembered him playing All Night Long and Penny Lover alot. I confess that since then and from seeing his videos on NY Hot Tracks and Friday Night Videos, I loved his music. Let's get to the point, Can't Slow Down is one of the most enjoyable albums of the 1980s along with Thriller and Purple Rain (an album which you dug all the tracks without exceptions) and my 4th favorite album (behind Thriller, Confessions, and Jay-Z's Black Album and before Purple Rain and Off The Wall). Too make a long story short, heres how I rate the tracks



Can't Slow Down (energetic introduction in a PYT groove that failed to be a single which was a mistake) - A+



All Night Long (#1 international Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'-like groove that brought the album to life. Love the international style video) - A+



Penny Lover (love this song since I first saw the storyline video on NY Hot Tracks back in late 84') - A+



Stuck On You (Good single. A great effort that hit not only on adult complemntary, and mainstream stations, but on country stations as well. "Short and Sweet!" Look out Kenny Rodgers!!) - A-



Love Will Find A Way (lp track that is still hot on adult complemntary and urban stations today. I luv the hooks throughout the last couple minutes of the song) - A



The Only One (probaly the most forgotten track on the lp, which was better than Stuck On You, IMO) - A



Running With The Night (A bit smoother and more new-wavish than Beat It. Lionel's second single spells out good "Rock N Roll" In the video of where he and his boyz crash a prom, he dances with unknown then Shelia E) - A+



Hello (the most emotional and important single on the lp was a great album closer. It is my favorite Lionel Richie song too and the video was a bit amusing, yet great happy ending with the poor deaf student who seems to have a crush on her teacher - Lionel of course. Back on saturday afternoons of when my father replayed what he taped on NY Hot Tracks the friday night before, he always played this video among with others. Alot of memories coming back although I was only a baby. These videos my father use to tape from soul artists was probaly as far back as I can remember) - A++



I will purchase the cd version of this lp for myself in the future because this is incredible!! Another trip down memory lane! Who would care to join me?





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