The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • 126

TTie Atlanta Journal The Atlanta Constitution, W3M Luther's latest mothballs the croons LEISURE 3B 2228600 A free service of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Soundline allows you to hear a sound bite from the albums we review. Using a Touch-Tone phone, call 222-8600 and enter the access number listed at the end of each review. Never Let Me Go Luther Vandross Epic 10 tracks. CDcassette. Every artist with a string of successes has the problem of trying to top the last one.

For Luther Vandross, whose voice is the standard against which every other male balladeer is compared, that means not only maintaining his momentum but holding on to the championship crooner belt. On his ninth album, Mr. Vandross has decided to change his punch, hoping to strike a blow at the pop charts. The questionis, will his core audience fans stay in his corner? Let's put it this way: It's nine tunes into the 10 cuts on "Never Let Me Go" before the first ballad hardly your typical Luther Vandross album. For the most part, this is a mid-tempo and uptempo album, on which Mr.

Vandross provides a sugary glaze over rather confectionary arrangements and lyrics. Prime example is the first release, "Little Miracles," There's no gut-wrenching, vibrating baritone or soaring endings like on chestnuts such as "Creepin', "A House is Not a Home" or "The Night I Fell in Love." Even flier consummate background vocalists (Cissy Houston and Lisa Fischer, among others) who often have provided alternate lead vocals on many of his songs are relegated on many of these tunes to filler. The album has its standouts such j) ii in jit 1 nil i i fi I i 'JN Hm main fans through thick and thin, because in comparison to other Quiet Storm crooners, Mr. Vandross has no peer. Let's just say this album might be a test of faith.

Sonia Murray, staff writer Call Soundline at 222-8600 and enter access number 490 to hear a selection from this album. as "Love Me Again" and "Hustle." But this album doesn't sound like the Mr. Vandross of old until the last tune, a medley of soulfully, true-to-Luther remakes of the Bee Gee's "How Deep Is Your Love" and Johnny Ace's 1954 hit, "Never Let Me Go." Vandross fans will undoubtedly re and congenial approach to a wide-ranging repertoire. The Hammond B-3 organ that un-' derscores "Sky King" makes a perfect musical companion, but the use of horns on several selections steers the listener away from the heart of the matter as, frankly, do most of the vocals, even when supplied by guest stars like Rodney Crowell. Just gimme more Gatton, and leave the musical hors d'oeu-vres back at the studio.

Danny Gatton performs Tuesday at the Cotton Club. Steve Dollar, staff writer Call Soundline at 222-8600 and enter access, number 375 to hear a selection from this album. Always You fames Ingram ROCK Cruisin' Deuces Danny Gatton Elektra. 12 tracks. CDcassette.

:4 COUNTRY EcxcfVi Tom Russell Warner Bros. 10 tracks. CD James Ingram, a well-oiled machine in the hit-making factory, has assembled another album ready for much airplay. "Always You" is consistently him. A collection of ballads and massage-like mid-tempo songs, his latest effort shows that Mr.

Ingram knows what works for him and Thanks to his painstaking care with every lyric, even gushy cuts like "Always You" and "A Baby's Born" come off as convincing. In fact, this album practically sogs with gush. But when you think about it, when is the last time you heard a James Ingram song that wasn't straight from the heart and sealed with a kiss? jv- Yeah, for a while it seemed that Quincy Jones's find oh "The Dude" arid" Parti Austin's vocal match-made-in-' Oooooh-weee. Danny Gatton is an ail-American guitar hero. In case you don't believe it, take a gander at the catalog of riff-machines he wields on his new album, "Cruisin' Deuces." Everything from a i953 Fender Telecaster and '54 Gibson ES-295 to a '56 Gibson ES-350, and my favorite the 1991 Fender Vibroverb Reissue.

Mr. Gatton scorches and fast-picks, at his best when adding his personal touch to some classic rockabilly and country-influenced songs a Sun Rec-i ords medley featuring vocalist Delbert McClinton and that old chestnut, "Har- lem Nocturne." He's no primitivist, slamming crude chords and howling at the moon, but a refined talent bpst ap-. 4 I preciatbdsfor'Jiis cleani.iingingaonevl Phik) Records. 12 tracks. CDcassette.

Tom Russell always has avoided the truck drivin', hard.drinkin', momma dovin'i cliches i that abound in country music for all its boot-scootin' gyrations up the pop charts. Instead, many of his best songs focus on folks living on society's mar-; gins kin to the hard-scrabble people who populated Bruce Springsteen's "Nebraska." husky-vqiced singer i heaven was making tracks toward the dance floor when he teamed up with new jack king Teddy Riley. But Mr. Ingram seems to have quickly learned that his voice fits best wrapped around I a ballad instead of a dance beat I Y'r. Swjfo Murray, staff miter Call Soundline at 222-8600 and enter access number lauteteotkn from this album.

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