As you go through this article, please note the album covers and how more conservative Michael Henderson got in his dress as the 1980s dragged on. What a horrible decade in some regards.
SLINGSHOT
Released: 1981
LP Charts: #14 R&B, #86 pop
Slingshot is the beginning of the end for Michael Henderson as he struggles to come up with interesting/new/good ideas.
The song “Slingshot” is a microwaving of the P-Funk inspired “Wide Receiver” from the previous album. Even though it less microwaved, “(We Are Here To) Geek You Up” is another P-Funk track. “Never Gonna Give You Up” is the obligatory cover of a classic soul ballad. “Take Care” is a long and boring slow jam.
Even the album’s best ballad “Can’t We Fall In Love Again” (a duet with Phyllis Hyman) tries to capture the magic both artists had working with Norman Connors about six years earlier.
“Make It Easy On Yourself” breaks new ground in terrible ways. It’s adult contemporary balladry at its worst. Complete with sickening saccharine strings. This song is what sinks the album from maybe a weak C+ to a firm C.
Venna Keith duets on “In It For The Goodies” and “Come To Me”. “Goodies” manages to be good enough in all the right synth-funk ways, I have no backhanded compliments to give it. Just a good song. “Come To Me” is a solid ballad.
ALBUM GRADE: C
Song Scores
Slingshot: 6/10
Never Gonna Give You Up: 5/10
Can’t We Fall In Love Again: 7/10
Take Care: 5/10
Make It Easy On Yourself: 3/10
(We Are Here To) Geek You Up: 7/10
In It For The Goodies: 7/10
Come To Me: 6/10
FICKLE
Released: 1983
LP Charts: #41 R&B, #169 pop
Okay, now I’m genuinely worried. Even when his albums weren’t clicking all the way, Michael Henderson wrote and produced his own stuff. On Fickle he finally employs outside writers to any significant degree and outside producers to any degree at all.
The results are painful.
The title track, co-produced by Henderson and Paul Lawrence III, is mediocre at best. Former Commodores member Thomas McClary contributed the synth ballad “Feeling Like Myself Once Again”, which has touches of country music. It is also mediocre. “One Step At a Time” sounds cheap and it sucks. “You Wouldn't Have To Work At All” sounds like a Evelyn “Champagne” King knock off, which makes sense since it is another Lawrence production and he worked with King.
ALBUM GRADE: F
A horribly boring album. Not a single memorable or good song.
Song Scores
Fickle: 5/10
Feeling Like Myself Once Again: 5/10
One Step At a Time: 3/10
Thin Walls: 3/10
You Wouldn't Have To Work At All: 4/10
Assault With A Friendly Weapon: 4/10
Love Will Find A Way: 4/10
Whip It: 5/10
BEDTIME STORIES
Released: 1986
LP Charts: #30 R&B
On Bedtime Stories, Henderson took back control writing six of the eight songs all on his own as well as producing the whole album. Disturbingly, though, he only plays bass guitar on three of the eight songs. That’s processed music for you. Taking away the bass guitar from one of the best bassist in music history.
Anyways, this album is bland. Not as horrible as Fickle, but it’s nondescript in nearly every way. “She’s A Tearjerker” and “Show Some Emotion” are the only songs that threaten you with a good time.
ALBUM GRADE: D
Song Scores
She’s A Tearjerker: 5/10
Tonight I Give In: 3/10
Do It To Me Good (Tonight): 4/10
Bedtime Story: 4/10
Show Some Emotion: 6/10
Back In Love Again: 5/10
Listen: 3/10
Tin Soldier: 5/10