Monday, July 04, 2005

Here and Now...

A bitch was moved to hear of the passing of Luther Vandross. More than a fan, this bitch grew up on Luther and survived some of my most traumatic moments listening to him.

Luther Vandross sang of love…the possibility of love, the longing of love, the commitment of love and the bittersweet pain of love lost.

Perhaps it is because so many of my emotional moments coincided with Luther’s record releases or maybe because a bitch is really a softy under all the drama…I don’t know…it just seems that his velvet voice should have been around longer.

Luther’s last song was the one that really tore at a bitch’s heart. Dance With My Father makes me cry the tears of a daughter who knows the pain of loosing her Dad. When I first heard the song I literally had to pull over the car and let it all out. Then I cursed Luther Vandross for bringing it all back so quickly and so sharply that it felt like I was unstable in an instant. But now there is only gratitude.

A bitch studied voice for many years. I no longer sing…not quite sure why, but I guess I will again when I should again. The hardest thing to do as a performer is to connect with your audience. Singers can be taught the art of voice, but only a rare few can make you feel like they are talking to you and only you. Luther did that for me…over and over again.

A bitch finds solace in the knowledge that he is reunited with the father he expressed such love for…

From Dance With My Father

Never dreamed that he would be gone from me
If I could steal one final glance, one final step, one final dance with him
I'd play a song that would never, ever end
'Cause I'd love, love, love
To dance with my father again

Luther Vandross was 54 years old…

6 comments:

Cynthia said...

This is a very nice tribute to Luther. He will be sorely missed by many if not all of us.

Maven said...

First Barry White... now Luther... *sigh*

Lisa said...

I loved Luther from the moment I first heard him. Truly, his voice was a gift and this snarky bitch was saddened immensely by his passing.

http://www.snarkypants.com

Margaret said...

I remember sneaking to Jamestown Mall near my house, and spending my HARD earned money in 1988 to buy 'Any Love'...on cassette. What a flood of memories!

Thanks for reminding me to download 'Dance with my Father' to my iPod.

Anonymous said...

I was so shocked and saddened upon hearing of his passing that I have not been able to listen to any of his songs.

CrankyProf said...

That shit made a CrankyProf call up her daddy, just to tell him she loves his cranky Scots ass.

You've got to make the best of the time you've got.

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