Luther: Never Too Much (Hot Docs)

LUTHER: NEVER TOO MUCH 

Directed by Dawn Porter 2024 | English | Documentary | USA | 101 minutes 

Luther Vandross was an Icon in the Music Industry, known for his smooth and sexy voice.  He was a multi-Grammy Award-winning artist who sold over 50 million albums. Some of his biggest hits included Dance with My Father, Endless Love, and Ain't No Stopping Us Now.   

 This documentary is a look at his illustrious career.  It's a celebration of all the great music he made and the people he worked with and influenced throughout his career.  He was a singer, songwriter, and producer and helped many people with their music.  I was surprised to learn that he worked with David Bowie on his Young Americans song.  Another unlikely connection was his collaboration with Richard Marx.  Luther's music seemed to flow easily but his life and health not as much.  Luther always struggled with his weight and was striving to look like the artist he thought he should look like.  He was categorized as an R&B singer but he wanted to do so much more.  He sacrificed everything in his life for music.

In 2003 he suffered a stroke just before what turned out to be his final album.  Although his whole career was about singing songs of love, sadly he did not have that one love in his life or any children but he was surrounded by the love of his friends, collaborators, and fans.  He exuded love and joy throughout his life even though it wasn't easy.

Luther Vandross (born April 20, 1951, New York, New York, U.S.—died July 1, 2005, Edison, New Jersey) 

INTERVIEWS 

In total, 20 interviews conducted were included in the film including the following participants (listed in order of appearance): 

1. Fonzi Thornton - Lifelong Friend and Musical Collaborator 
2. Robin Clark - Lifelong Friend and Musical Collaborator 
3 Carlos Alomar - Lifelong Friend and Musical Collaborator 
4. Danyel Smith - Music Journalist 
5. Jon Platt - Chairman/CEO, Sony Music Publishing 
6. Ava Cherry - Background Singer 
7. Seveda Williams - Niece, Founder of FANDROSS 
8. Nile Rodgers - Founder of Chic 
9. Valerie Simpson - Singer 
10. Deborah McDuffie - Commercial Producer 
11. Marcus Miller - Bass Player, Songwriting Collaborator 
12. Nat Adderley Jr. - Musical Director 
13. Jamie Foxx - Actor, Singer 
14. Lisa Fischer - Background Singer 
15. Kevin Owens - Background Singer 
16. Richard Marx - “Dance with my Father” co-writer 
17. Clive Davis - Record Executive 
18. Mariah Carey - Singer 
19. Dionne Warwick - Singer 
20. Max Szadek - Personal Assistan

SONG LIST

Title - Artist

1. Ain't No Stopping Us Now - Luther Vandross
2. Funky Music (Is a Part of Me) - David Bowie/Luther Vandross
3. Young Americans -  David Bowie
4. A Brand New Day  - Luther Vandross
5. The Glow of Love Change - ft. Luther Vandross
6. Never Too Much -  Luther Vandross
7. Bad Boy Having a Party  - Luther Vandross
8. Til My Baby Comes Home  -  Luther Vandross
9. How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye  - Dionne Warwick & Luther Vandross
10. Give Me the Reason -  Luther Vandross
11. If Only for One Night -  Luther Vandross
12. Here and Now -  Luther Vandross
13. Power of Love  - Luther Vandross
14. Stop to Love  - Luther Vandross
15. Superstar - Luther Vandross
16. Until You Come Back to Me -  Luther Vandross
17. Endless Love  - Luther Vandross ft. Mariah Carey
18. A House Is Not a Home -  Luther Vandross
19. Take You Out  - Luther Vandross
20. Any Love -  Luther Vandross
21. Wait for Love Luther Vandross
22. Dance with My Father Luther Vandross
23. So Amazing Luther Vandross

No release dates have been announced yet.

This film Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and the Hot Docs Film Festival.