Lionel Richie - Back To Front (1992/2015) [Official Digital Download 24/192]

Richie's fourth album, originally released in 1992, was his first compilation album containing 14 tracks, four of them recorded with the Commodores. Also included in the track listing is Endless Love, his duet with Diana Ross. On his own and as part of the Commodores, by 1992 Lionel Richie amassed more than enough singles for a greatest-hits collection. Unfortunately, this is one of those compilations that, good intentions aside, falls so flat there's not much point in buying it. By trying to cover his solo material, while touching base with his Commodores fans, and adding some new cuts, no part of his career is well represented. For the record, Back to Front lacks 'Oh No,' 'Lady You Bring Me Up,' 'Ballerina Girl,' 'You Are,' 'My Love,' 'Stuck on You,' 'Love Will Conquer All,' 'Se La,' and 'Dancing on the Ceiling,' all Top 40 hits. If Motown had concentrated solely on solo Richie, with another collection of Commodores hits, this could have been a solid, career-topping CD. As it is, it's strong, but hearing such gems as 'Still,' 'Truly,' 'Say You, Say Me,' and 'Running With the Night' makes you long to hear the cuts that aren't here. Of the three new songs, 'Do It to Me' and 'My Destiny' are classic, smooth Richie, but 'Love, Oh Love' is very schmaltzy. If you're a casual Lionel Richie fan, this might suffice, but for anyone who truly enjoys pop music, this collection is not worth your money.

Tracklist:

01. Do It To Me
02. My Destiny
03. Love Oh Love
04. All Night Long (All Night) (Single Version)
05. Easy
06. Still (Single Version)
07. Endless Love feat. Diana Ross
08. Running With The Night
09. Dancing On The Ceiling
10. Sail On
11. Hello
12. Truly
13. Penny Lover
14. Stuck On You
15. Say You, Say Me
16. Three Times A Lady

Personnel:

Lionel Richie - vocals, keyboards
Diana Ross - vocals
Michael Landau - guitar
David Williams - guitar
Marc Russo - saxophone
Bradley Cole - synthesizers
'Ready' Freddie Washington - bass
Jim Keltner - drums
Lenny Castro - percussion
Quincy D. Jones III - drum programming



All thanks go to the original releaser