Give Me the Reason is the fifth studio album by American R&B /soul singer-songwriter Luther Vandross , released on September 26, 1986, by Epic Records . The album earned Vandross an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and a nomination for "Favorite Soul/R&B Album" in 1988 , while the title track was nominated for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male at the 29th Grammy Awards .
Give Me the Reason Released September 26, 1986 Recorded June 1985–June 1986 Studio
Genre Length 46 :18 Label Epic Producer
The album also includes Vandross' first Billboard top-20 pop hit, "Stop to Love." It also marked a svelte, thinner Vandross due to a weight loss earlier in the year. The album went on to sell over 2 million copies in the United States and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In addition to the title track and "Stop to Love," the album features three other hit singles: "So Amazing", "There's Nothing Better Than Love" (duet with Gregory Hines ), and "I Really Didn't Meant It."
Luther Vandross – lead and backing vocals, vocal arrangements
Nat Adderley, Jr. – keyboards, synthesizers, string arrangements, rhythm and synthesizer arrangements (1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9), horn and string arrangements (4)
Marcus Miller – synthesizers, bass, rhythm and synthesizer arrangements (2, 3, 7), backing vocals
Jason Miles – synthesizer programming
Paul Jackson, Jr. – guitar (1-6, 8, 9)
Doc Powell – guitar (1-6, 8, 9)
Ira Siegel – guitar (7)
Yogi Horton – drums
Paulinho da Costa – congas, percussion
Kirk Whalum – saxophone solo (3, 9)
Paul Riser – horn and string arrangements (4)
John "Skip Anderson – rhythm arrangements (6)
David Lasley – backing vocals, vocal contractor
Kevin Owens – backing vocals
Fonzi Thornton – backing vocals, vocal contractor
Ava Cherry – alto vocals
Charlotte Crossley – alto vocals
Michelle Cobbs – alto vocals
Paulette McWilliams – alto vocals, vocal contractor
Alfa Anderson – soprano vocals
Lisa Fischer – soprano vocals
Cissy Houston – soprano vocals
Cheryl Lynn – soprano vocals
Myrna Smith-Schilling – soprano vocals
Marcus Miller – producer
Luther Vandross – producer
Larkin Arnold – executive producer
Ray Bardani – engineer, mixing
Greg Calbi – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY).
Marsha Burns – production coordinator
George Corsillo – art direction, design
Matthew Rolston – photography
Charts and certifications
edit
^ Give Me the Reason at AllMusic
^ Kot, Greg (October 3, 1993). "The Best Of Vandross On Record" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved April 3, 2013 .
^ Grein, Paul (October 12, 1986). "Vandross: 'Tis the 'reason' " . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved April 3, 2013 .
^ Christgau, Robert . "CG: Luther Vandross" . RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved April 3, 2013 .
^ Aletti, Vince (March 12, 1987). "Give Me The Reason" . Rolling Stone . Retrieved April 3, 2013 .
^ Aletti, Vince (March 12, 1987). "Give Me The Reason" . Rolling Stone . Retrieved April 3, 2013 .
^ "Luther Vandross | Artist | Official Charts" . UK Albums Chart . Retrieved August 21, 2018.
^ "Luther Vandross Chart History (Billboard 200)" . Billboard . Retrieved August 21, 2018.
^ "Luther Vandross Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)" . Billboard . Retrieved August 21, 2018.
^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 1987" . Billboard . Retrieved August 21, 2018 .
^ "British album certifications – Luther Vandross – Give Me the Reason" . British Phonographic Industry .
^ "American album certifications – Luther Vandross – Give Me the Reason" . Recording Industry Association of America .