Linda Clifford: All the Man I Need (1981)

[hammertoejoe]

This first version is just BRILLIANT and clean: Definitely this song was made for Linda's voice and the character of her voice remarks the concept. I've heard the Sister Sledge version too, a bit more experimental maybe due that it was for a duet, and more risky for the melody and rhythm variations. Whitney Houston however, took it from the original, and seemed she didn't want to change it just except for her freshness and voice skills. Now she's finally in Heaven where she belongs.

[steven1660]

This doesn't even COMPARE to Whitney's version, but it's good, she has a good voice, but has nothing on WHITNEY!

[soulfulcooking]

@steven1660 Never heard this version, I first remember hearing the S.S version in the early 80's (it was popular) but when W.H covered the song it was so intense because she was talking about her relationship with God. That's something serious!

[Thehouseofwax]

Linda simply rules! I love Whitney's voice but I keep finding amazing songs by this incredible artist! Again: Linda you rule!

[Maurbdix]

Thanks for posting this...

[paplomatothiki]

I like this version very much ! Although i think that Whitney's performance is a sublime moment of musical history this one is more desperated !

[QueerSwede1]

She is amazing!

[jeanieasmith]

I loooove this version and was so surprised to know that my good friend Linda sang this before Whitney sang it (that I actually sung background on under the production of Narada Michael Walden) Linda sung the hell outta this, no wonder Whitney did a great job.......with this as a guide, how could she not?

Jeanie Tracy

[cocochristian1117]

lovely song and performance

[rellenoz]

I really like this. I'm a huge Whitney fan, but THIS song fits her voice, the 80's production, it all works. Kind of gritty the way the 80's were. Not so sleek and polished. I LOVE it. YOu could drop this tune into a movie. Whitney's version would have to run during the closing credits.

[IRunLA69]

Admittedly I thought this was going to suck being that Whitney tore it up and into pieces, particularly live. But I really like this one as well, Linda's voice is very interesting and has wonderful depth. And the song, or at least this arrangement actually does fit her voice a little bit more I think.

[Bahia82]

to those who dont like whitney remake, listen to her sing this live! your minds will change. I luv this version as well.

[VirgoDar]

I just interviewed Linda moments ago so allow me to settle the debate once and for all.

Not only is Linda's the original version but the song was specifically written for her and about her relationship with her husband, whom she is still married to today. She is only vaguely aware of the Sister Sledge version but has never heard it.

Look for my interview soon on Soul Music (dot) Kom.

[RareMusicalGems]

@VirgoDar I think that's why I love Linda's version so much, it just fits. I'm not surprised it was written especially for her. Looking forward to the interview.

[VirgoDar]

@RareMusicalGems The interview will publish on August 2 on SoulMusic (dot) Kom. She was loads of fun to talk to.

[daretosayit]

@VirgoDar ..Very nice! I'll look for that interview. Honestly, I thought most people knew Linda's was the original. Though I regularly listen to Sister Sledge's music, I've only heard their version of the song once before (I finally listened again today on YT) and as the one time I listened before was a "live" performance/appearance they gave an interview and it was overtly mentioned that it was a cover of Linda's original. Listening to it, you can tell it was written for her. She's still great.

[VirgoDar]

@daretosayit The interview will be up in a few days, August 2, on SoulMusic (dot) Kom. We cover a lot of ground in our chat. We talked about everything from beauty pageants & racism to Curtis Mayfield and the disco era. For a time there she was a workaholic, releasing four albums in only a two year period of time, so I asked her about that. And we talked about what she's doing today. I hope you enjoy the interview. Thanks in advance.

D.

[BlackGable2u2]

This is not the original! It was first done as a duet with Kathy Sledge (Sister Sledge) and a guy, but I can't remember his name

[RareMusicalGems]

@BlackGable2u2 Actually, Linda's version was recorded FIRST, in 1981, it was recorded by Sister Sledge in 1982. (The date in the video title is a typo, which I've now fixed.) Being recorded and released a year BEFORE The Sister Sledge duet version with David Simmons, it is most definitely the original.

[JesusISdaonlyway]

She can sing..but in no wise BETTER than Whitney's..but is Linda's version THE original..like one of the previous comments..I remember hearing a duet version between a man and woman and it sounded a bit older than this one..and please Whitney didn't fail to capture the emotion of the content while still adding her majestic stratosphere depth of soul to it...Linda mm good:) but Whitney? Great!!!

[RareMusicalGems]

@JesusISdaonlyway I think the duet version you may be thinking of is the Sister Sledge version on which they shared the vocals with David Simmons.

[sephfyr]

Great song!! I love the fact that Luther Vandross arranged and sang background vocals on this AND did an exquisite cover! Like Mariah Carey covering "I still believe" after singing on Brenda K. Starr's original. Whitney is like Santana, her best songs are covers and I prefer the originals - still like 'em both.

[tyleross1986]

I really like this version. This song is great, in general.

[mmace63]

FYI, this song (lp) came out in February 1982, not 1983. While Whitney's is definitely the more 'popular' version, this one gets my vote. What it lacks in showy vocals, it has much more heart to it. Not everything has to be oversung. :)

[martiin5678]

Whitney's is so much better! this has no Soul at all! & 1983-1987 were really rubbish years for music .. 1988-1993 were the best years for music!

[mmace63]

@martiin5678 -- I sure can think of a LOT of great artists and songs that came out during that time frame: SOS Band, Change, Lillo Thomas, Atlantic Starr, Yarbrough and Peoples, Mtume... and these are the more popular ones... So many great underground artists at this time as well. I think most people and critics would agree that R&B was on a decline after 1988, so not sure what you were listening to or referencing. lol.

[iloveabba91]

@martiin5678 You know...2 of Whitney's albums are released during the "rubbish years of music".

[DISSALINED1]

There was one version of this song that featured a male vocal part. can anyone tell me the name of it and who sings it?

[mmace63]

@DISSALINED1 - Sister Sledge feat. David Simmons on their 1982 album 'Sisters'.

[RareMusicalGems]

@musiclover77able I see you have a "77" in your screenname. Is that the year you were born? That's the same year as me! I think we can agree that this is a beautiful song, even if our favorite performers are different. I love Hudson and Holliday as well!

[RareMusicalGems]

@musiclover77able There's nothing wrong with that at all. We all respond to different styles, to different voices. Thank you for sharing your opinion. Whitney's version is spectacular, even if I do prefer Linda's. Thanks again for commenting!

[heyheyhey167]

wow um i love whitney version but this ones has me doubting i really like this one

[RareMusicalGems]

@heyheyhey167 Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Both versions are wonderful, I thought I should get Linda's version out there for people hear!

[heyheyhey167]

@RareMusicalGems im glad you did wow i think i just like the song in general its such and awesome song this and here and now by luther v. are my all time favorite songs

[stevescissors]

I remember this song so well. Great song! I just purchased this CD. Thanks for posting this.

[RareMusicalGems]

@stevescissors My pleasure. Linda is just wonderful, isn't she?

[stevescissors]

@RareMusicalGems She sure is, I tried to purchase the CD On Legion Records, they seem to be pushing back the date, their customer service is horrible. I wrote to them many times about my order. They never get back to you. Linda is GREAT TALENT!!