Luther Vandross continues to make progress; releases new album, 'Dance With My Father'

Jet, June 23, 2003

Singer Luther Vandross' much-anticipated album Dance With My Father was recently released and is already racing up the record charts.

The album features the single Dance With My Father, an emotional tribute to the singer's father, Luther Sr., who died when Vandross was 7. Vandross used to love to see his father dance with his mother and recalls that fond memory in the tune.

Other highlights include guest appearances by Beyonce Knowles, Busta Rhymes, Queen Latifah and Foxy Brown.

Beyonce joins Luther on a remake of Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway's The Closer I Get To You while Busta raps on a remake of Bill Withers' 1977 hit Lovely Day. Latifah teams up with Luther on the hip hop-flavored Hit It Again, while Foxy Brown parties with Luther on If It Ain't One Thing.

A greatest hits album, The Essential Luther Vandross, was also released by Epic Legacy at JET press time, featuring his early hits Superstar, Here and Now, A House Is Not A Home, Never Too Much, Stop To Love and Give Me The Reason.

Vandross suffered a stroke April 16 at his home in New York and remains in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit at New York's Weill Cornell Medical College.

The singer has said his excess weight led to diabetes and high blood pressure. He was able to keep his weight down for three years with diet and exercise. However, he recently regained it.

But he is making progress since the stroke. "He mouths words. He answers questions by nodding his head. He can do minimal communication. We are very excited," said J Records spokesperson Lois Najarian.

His mother, Mary Ida Vandross, told JET: "He is doing just remarkably well, by the grace of God, and I do mean, God's grace."

She notes, "It's a slow process," but he will emerge from this "a new creature of Christ," she said.

She reveals that he mouthed the word "Mama" twice on Mother's Day.

She adds, "He's shaking his head and looking all around. He's watching television. He is moving his limbs, praise God. He's moving his toes and showed me he could raise his leg. He recognizes everyone. His ability to think is good. His voice box, everything, is intact. God is good."

Vandross has begun some physical therapy and is scheduled to be transferred to a rehabilitation center in six weeks.

During the day, he is shown photos of family and friends and someone reads him the get well cards and e-mails that have been pouring in.

His mother also plays the music of his favorite singers, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross, as well as his own music. His background singers have even come in to perform for him, said Max Szadek, his personal assistant.

During a recent visit, Mrs. Vandross, an evangelist, sang gospel songs and quoted Psalm 23 to her famous son.

"I said, 'the Lord is your shepherd and you have no need to want. He is making you lie here in green pastures because you were weary. This is His way of telling you to rest. You are not a robot, you are not a machine. God wants you to rest. And you know what else? All this love that you have given to the world with your music, would you believe the world is certainly giving it back to you? Their prayers have been heard by the Heavenly Father.'"

Mrs. Vandross assured his fans and friends: "He's doing excellent now in comparison to what he was. Luther is going to be just fine. This is God's way of saying 'You're tired.'"

She notes, "I am so grateful to everyone for their love, concern and prayers."