Luther made a grown man cry.

I'm a 39 year old white/Hispanic surgeon who spends his time sewing up gangbanging gunshot wound victims.

I'm a new Dad, with our first child less than three months old.

When the title track started playing in my car, I immediately recognized it from that "Boston Public" episode.

I focused on the lyrics, the delicate sweetness in Luther's voice.

Oh dear God by the time the song faded, with him lamenting about "the only dream I dream", I was openly weeping.
Uncontrollably.
I'm pulling my glasses off, trying to wipe my eyes and drive at the same time.

Poorly chilled Jello had more substance than I did right then. I really can't say a single listen to a single song has had that sort of effect on me before.

What was wrong with me? I mean, I realize I was a bit emotional since my boy Ben showed up, but still...

So I tried it again. After I composed myself, I played it again on the ride home.

Once again, a quivering mass of Jello. I was useless. Worse than the first time. I thought about MY Dad...who's still here and I work with everyday.

I'm familiar with Luther's body of work too. Have many of his albums. Saw him at the Hollywood Bowl with Vanessa Williams. The power of that voice is truly something to behold. Every person with two X chromosomes in the audience melted at least half a dozen times during the show.

Anyways, YES there are other songs on the record...and they're fine and dandy. His duet with Beyonce is justly celebrated, and I love "Buy Me A Rose", but if this is fact his last album, there would be no better finale than the song 'Dance With My Father'.

NOTE: Luther is making progress in his recovery from his stroke - let's keep him in our prayers while we enjoy his new music!

"Dance With My Father" is unlike any of Luther's previous work - the album sounds like Luther wants to be a hitmaker, rather than a mere legend. Usually, at this point in an artist's career, you can often sense a "going through the motions" production, and can predict the number of uptempos, ballads, remakes and the like, based on the artist's history. "Dance With My Father" changes all that.

The title track, a loving tribute to a parent who passed away when Vandross was 7 is the most personal recording Luther has ever made. There is no denying the heartfelt tone of the vocals, and the sheer joy contained in the lyrics sentiments. The song has justly become one of the biggest hits of Luther's career. But that is just a starting point for this excellent disc.

In a "love song" mode, no one performs as well as Luther these days (though Freddie Jackson was always a great competitor). And the love songs on "Dance" are timeless. Particularly enjoyable are "Buy Me A Rose" which vocalizes the many things one can do to make a lover feel special, "Apologize", and a brilliant reworking of "The Closer I Get To You", featuring Beyonce Knowles. In an interesting flip, Luther sings the Roberta Flack lines of this classic, while Beyonce tackles the Donny Hathaway sections. Their voices sound great together, and the piece is another stellar Luther duet, right up there with his work with Cheryl Lynn.

The faster tempoed songs are a great listen also - particularly "Hit It Again", which pairs LV with Queen Latifah. Latifah's rap/sing vocals sound great in this setting - would someone please get this girl recording again? A remake of "Lovely Day" featuring Busta Rhymes works very well also, but Foxy Brown's contribution to a new version of Richard "Dimples" Field's "If It Ain't One Thing" leaves you slightly disappointed - this is a great song, and could have been a classic remake in the right hands (where is Betty Wright when you need her?)

Overall, this album is one of, if not the best of Luther's career - I wish him the strength and health needed to recover from his stroke so we can one day see these songs (especially "Dance With My Father") performed live. Bless you, Luther!

In his own words "Think About You" Luther here in England.

It will be over 25 years since I first listened to your music and it was never less than a joy.

Heard the news this morning that you had passed away. Thought back to Newcastle Arena 3 years ago. Great night, great performance.

A terribly sad day but poignant on the day of Live 8.

RIP. A lot of people will miss you greatly. I'm one.

You can now "Dance With Your Father" again.

When you think an artist can't top the last CD that they released, there is nothing sweeter,when they show you how deep they can dig to blow you away! That's what Luther has accomplished in this awesome CD! I would have paid full price for just the 1st cut alone! "If I Didn't Know Better" is so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes, I wondered if I would get to the rest of the CD. When I did, I knew I had to do something that I've never done! That was this! This CD is worth the time it takes to log on and write a review, Luther deserves phrase for this masterpiece! The people who appear on this CD are inspirational and come across in ways that never caught my attention before. Beyonce is a treasure and has never sounded better to me, than when her voice blends so perfectly with Luther's voice.What they did with," The Closer I Get To You" is mind blowing!!! I never thought that song could be better than the original version! The bass was a great touch. If you never purchased a Luther Vandross CD before, don't miss this one! It's BIG!!!!!!!! It will rule the charts, watch and see what I say!

Purchased this morning... The surprising cut ise "Closer I get to you" with Luther and Beyonce.. Beyonce is maturing and acquits herself quite well, singing well within her range and register. Luther tends to have the "Roberta Flack" parts and.. well he just does his Luther thing. If this turns out to be Luther's final album.(;lthough we pray not). He will rest in peace..This CD is a fine piece of work..