Luther Vandross Covers Beatles Classic ‘Michelle’ in Newly Discovered Recording: Listen
The velvet vocals of Luther Vandross take center stage again with the Friday (Oct. 25) release of the late singer-songwriter’s cover of the Beatles’ classic “Michelle.” The never-heard-before rendition is among the 21 tracks featured on the upcoming Never Too Much: Greatest Hits. The Dec. 13 compilation and previously unreleased single are part of the celebration underscoring the Nov. 1 theatrical premiere of the documentary Luther: Never Too Much.
“Michelle” not only showcases Vandross’s distinctive, soulful tenor and signature vocal riffs. It also spotlights the eight-time Grammy winner’s innate talent for adding rhythmic nuances and other colorful arrangements to songs he covered during the course of his career. Those include Stevie Wonder’s “Creepin’”; “A House Is Not a Home,” originally covered by Dionne Warwick; and the Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway duet “The Closer I Get to You” with Vandross and Beyoncé. The latter two songs are featured on the forthcoming compilation, as is another previously unreleased track: “Speak Your Love,” written and produced by Vandross and his longtime friend and background vocalist Fonzi Thornton.
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In announcing the release of “Michelle” and Never Too Much: Greatest Hits, Epic Records and Sony Music’s catalog division Legacy Recordings note that additional details about the recording “remain a mystery.” What is known is that Thornton discovered a cassette labeled “Luther Vandross Michelle 6/1/89.” However, no further information about the recording such as location or session players has yet come to light.
Borrowing its title from Vandross’ 1981 debut solo album Never Too Much, the documentary Luther: Never Too Much chronicles the ups and downs of his career and personal life. Among Vandross’ close friends and musical collaborators sharing their perspectives are Warwick, Mariah Carey, Valerie Simpson and Roberta Flack. Directed and executive produced by Dawn Porter, the documentary will open theatrically in select cities on Nov. 1 with preview screenings on Oct. 30. Then the film will premiere on CNN, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and Max in 2025.
The album’s track list is as follows:
1. “Never Too Much”
2. “Power of Love / Love Power”
3. “Give Me the Reason”
4. “Stop to Love”
5. “Take You Out”
6. Any Love
7. “Michelle”*
8. “Here and Now”
9. “I’d Rather”
10. “So Amazing”
11. “Heaven Knows (Classic Radio Mix)”
12. “Dance With My Father”
13. “Speak Your Love”*
14. “The Closer I Get to You”
15. “Endless Love”
16. “Always and Forever”
17. “A House Is Not a Home”
18. “Superstar / Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do)”
19. “Never Too Much (Lost Frequencies Edit)”*
20. “Get Myself Together (Louie Vega Radio Remix)”*
21. “Michelle (Radio Edit)”*
*previously unreleased
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