When it comes down to it, Barry White is my favorite artist of all-time. Since the time I was 9, all of my musical roads have led back to him. My mom got me a disco hits compilation and I loved most of the songs, but "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" was the standout for me. When I was 12, I purchased a three-CD 70s R&B compilation solely because it had Barry White's "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More, Baby". Not the wisest of financial moves.
The next year, I saw that my dad had a Barry White greatest hits CD. Naturally, I took it and played it to death every day after school. Then I uncovered two old vinyls of The Man and Barry White Sings for Someone You Love. While traveling to Montreal that summer, all I could think of (besides being in lovely Canada!) was getting back home to the turntable, the LPs and listening to the sweet string ending of "Of All the Guys in the World". White so stridently yet so easily caresses his music with romantic tenderness. The idea of a former street hustler creating music dedicated to love and expressed through a 40-piece orchestra is just mind-boggling. I have since learned other definitions and exhibitions of emotion as it relates to music, but Barry was the 1st. He's the genesis for how I judge and interpret all of the other musicians I have come across.
So here is the 1st part of my ode to the Maestro of Love, a nice overview and intro to all of his albums.
The next year, I saw that my dad had a Barry White greatest hits CD. Naturally, I took it and played it to death every day after school. Then I uncovered two old vinyls of The Man and Barry White Sings for Someone You Love. While traveling to Montreal that summer, all I could think of (besides being in lovely Canada!) was getting back home to the turntable, the LPs and listening to the sweet string ending of "Of All the Guys in the World". White so stridently yet so easily caresses his music with romantic tenderness. The idea of a former street hustler creating music dedicated to love and expressed through a 40-piece orchestra is just mind-boggling. I have since learned other definitions and exhibitions of emotion as it relates to music, but Barry was the 1st. He's the genesis for how I judge and interpret all of the other musicians I have come across.
So here is the 1st part of my ode to the Maestro of Love, a nice overview and intro to all of his albums.
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