Just Be My Lady | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1981 | |||
Studio | The Music Machine, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, California | |||
Genre | R&B, funk | |||
Label | Warner Records[1] | |||
Producer | Larry Graham | |||
Larry Graham chronology | ||||
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Just Be My Lady is an album by the American R&B and funk musician Larry Graham, released in 1981.[2][3] Graham re-recorded the title track for his 1998 album, GCS 2000.[4]
The album peaked at No. 46 on the Billboard 200.[5] It peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Top Black Albums chart.[6]
Production
Graham continued to move away from funk music, putting more emphasis on his R&B ballads.[7] He produced the album, and played almost all of the instruments.[8] "Guess Who" is a cover of the Jesse Belvin song.[9]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [10] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [1] |
The New Rolling Stone Record Guide | [11] |
The Washington Informer thought that "Graham has established himself as a vocal personality that rivals, perhaps overshadows, his instrumental personality—one drips with tenderness while the other booms furiously."[12] Stereo Review called the album "a set of slow ballads oozed out in Lou Rawls-like low gear."[9]
AllMusic wrote that "some selections are shaded with Graham's doo wop and gospel influence, and all have much appeal."[10] Dave Marsh, in The New Rolling Stone Record Guide, dismissed Graham as "one of those lugubriously philosophizing soul crooners."[11]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Larry Graham; except where noted
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Just Be My Lady" | 4:24 | |
2. | "Loving You Is Beautiful" | 4:29 | |
3. | "Guess Who" | Jesse Belvin, Jo Ann Belvin | 4:58 |
4. | "Our Love Keeps Growing Strong" | 4:14 | |
5. | "Can't Nobody Take Your Place" | 4:40 | |
6. | "No Place Like Home" | 3:40 | |
7. | "Baby, You are My Sunshine" | 4:06 | |
8. | "I Just Love You" | 3:38 | |
9. | "Feels Like Love" | 3:26 | |
10. | "Remember When" | 4:07 |
Personnel
- Larry Graham - lead and backing vocals, bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, arrangements
- Wilton Rabb - guitar, backing vocals
- Eric Daniels - keyboards, backing vocals
- Noel Closson - drums on "Our Love Keeps Growing Strong", "Our Love Keeps Growing Strong" and "Feels Like Love"
- Carroll Stephens - strings
- Technical
- Tina Graham - production assistance, backing vocals
References
- 1 2 Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 3. MUZE. p. 849.
- ↑ "Larry Graham | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ↑ Gregory, Hugh (1995). Soul Music A-Z. Da Capo Press. p. 123.
- ↑ Jones, Steve (2 Feb 1999). "R&B: Graham Central Station, GCS2000". USA Today. p. 4D.
- ↑ "Larry Graham". Billboard.
- ↑ Thompson, Dave (August 14, 2001). Funk. Backbeat Books. ISBN 9780879306298 – via Google Books.
- ↑ "Balladeering Graham Thanks Fans with Contest". Jet. 60 (22): 18. Aug 13, 1981.
- ↑ The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. Fireside Books. 1995. pp. 410–411.
- 1 2 Albertston, Chris (December 1981). "Larry Graham: Just Be My Lady". Stereo Review. 46 (12): 85–86.
- 1 2 "Just Be My Lady - Larry Graham | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- 1 2 The New Rolling Stone Record Guide. Random House. 1983. p. 203.
- ↑ Brower, W. A. (Oct 12, 1983). "REVIEW: Graham At His Best". The Washington Informer. No. 51. p. 14.