LP Review: Just Another Way To Say I Love You
Barry White finally gets a solid (solo) album all the way through
Released: April 1975
In his third year as a hit producer-songwriter-singer, Barry White finally managed to produce a solo album that had him on solid ground all the way through. Previous LPs of his had towering highs, but also mediocre valleys.
Just Another Way To Say I Love You finds the Maestro of Love gliding from one superb song to another. Bout damn time.
The opener is “Heavenly, That's What You Are To Me”, which is my favorite song on this album. There’s some absolutely sick guitar work, which I’m fairly certain was by Ray Parker Jr. The final minute or so of the song is angelic audio sublimity as the strings float here and there, a harp flows to and fro, the guitar ripples like a wave, and the bass lightly pulsates.
I could (and have) listen to that portion on endless repeat.
After that danceable ballad, White follows up with… another danceable ballad in “I'll Do For You Anything You Want Me To”.
The absurdly long title manages to nonetheless be a fairly catchy hook and is a cousin of his previous hit “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” since it has a similar intro. Well, it’s not as good as “Everything” but it’s still damn fine and is even more designed for the disco dance floor (reached #2 on the disco chart).
Also, it has cowbell. Lots of cowbell.
It was a sizeable radio single for White, as well, reaching #4 R&B, #40 pop, and #20 UK.
The album finally mellows out with “All Because of You”, which has a killer intro, which feels like the sequel to “Heavenly”. This was also White’s first collaboration with Frank Wilson. They’d (unfortunately) make more music together in the late 70s. Just you wait!
Side One concludes with the scandalous “Love Serenade (Part 1)”. At one point, White says, “take off that brassiere my dear.” Yep, it’s that type of song.
Okay, Side Two opens up with my other favorite song from this album “What Am I Gonna Do With You” which is an explosion of joy. Its cousin is “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe”. However, this song is as if “Can’t Get Enough” was performed live in concert one night and Barry White and the band just descended into an extended jam as the crowd refused to let them leave the stage.
So, he and the band just kept on playing with the music getting evermore raggedy, but in a good way.
And the man does some incredible tongue rolls at the end of this song.
As the album’s lead single, it reached #1 R&B, #8 pop, #5 UK and hit #6 in New Zealand. His best showing in Kiwiland.
And now is where we encounter some trepidation with “Let Me Live My Life Lovin' You Babe”. It’s a mammoth 10:20 song. On his previous album White flopped miserably with another 10-minute song. However, he appears to have learned from his mistakes. This song has a message, albeit kind of simple and at moments condescending toward women (just give a woman flowers and a hello and she’ll be happy). But you can tell ole Barry is sincere about trying to spread love with his chivalrous attitude.
Or the music is so laid back and chill you forgive the light chauvinism. I dunno.
Well, things conclude on a raunchy note as “Love Serenade ” returns in Part II form. This time raunchy words are absent, but the music itself more than compensates. It’s some sleazy funk.
ALBUM GRADE: A-
This grade is given with the caveat, that if soul music and disco are your bag, then you’ll be completely in the bag on this one. If you’re not into fluttering strings and love songs, then this is probably more of a B. However, I think this is pretty much the apex of early era Barry White.
Song Scores
Heavenly, That's What You Are To Me: 9/10
I'll Do For You Anything You Want Me To: 8/10
All Because of You: 7.5/10
Love Serenade (Part I): 8/10
What Am I Gonna Do With You: 10/10
Let Me Live My Life Lovin' You Babe: 7.5/10
Love Serenade (Part II): 8/10