Seductive Rainy Night Music Playlist: Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson, Vanessa Williams, Leon Haywood

"MAKING LOVE IN THE RAIN"   JANET JACKSON, HERB ALPERT, LISA KEITH

The seductive sound of rain on your windows as you lie in bed.  A soft kiss on the beach with a misty breeze blowing through your hair.  The steamy windows of your car after a passionate make-out session.   There is something about water that passionately connects to our heart.   During Janet Jackson's career peak (Control & Rhythm Nation), she was asked to participate on legendary musician, Herb Alpert's comeback CD.   Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the two Janet Jackson collaborations "Diamonds" and my provocative slow jam scored big on the R&B charts.    Here is the extended video version with Lisa Keith:

"LOVE WON'T LET ME WAIT"  LUTHER VANDROSS

Tough decision, go with the near perfect, original 1975 version by Major Harris, complete with the woman's orgasmic moans near the end of the song or go with Luther's brilliant 1988 interpretation?  It's hard to take a classic and make it your own, but the Vandross version is my favorite.   If you ever questioned who is the greatest SOUL singer of the 80's, this song should answer that question?  Luther's approach is so silky smooth here, masculine yet vulnerable, total control.  One person playfully commented, "if you hear this in the bedroom, you know what's happening next".   

"THE COMFORT ZONE"   VANESSA WILLIAMS

Just think about the life of Vanessa for a minute.  The first African American Miss America has been nominated for every kind of entertainment award imaginable:  An Oscar (Colors Of The Wind), a Grammy (Save The Best For Last), a Tony (In The Woods), even an Emmy (Desperate Housewives)!  What other performers can make that claim? You want to talk about a triple threat performer, Vanessa has done it all.   Still strikingly beautiful with perhaps the sexiest eyes of all-time, here's one of the songs that kick-started her music career.   

 
"I WANT'A DO SOMETHING FREAKY TO YOU"   LEON HAYWOOD

You've heard Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's "Nuthin' But A G Thang", here's the original song they sampled.    Don't be put off by the song's title, it is just a very seductive R&B song, nothing obscene.   Leon's got a knack for choosing highly sexual titles, his other big hits were "Don't Push It, Don't Force It" and "Strokin' (Part II)".   In addition to these hits, Leon wrote the party anthem, "She's A Bad Mama Jama".   For a guy who's basically unknown to many, he's left quite a footprint on music history.

People Think I'm Crazy: Rolling Stones, Luther Vandross, and Flogging Molly

"MISS YOU"    ROLLING STONES

My favorite Stones CD, Some Girls, was their celebration of New York City.   "Some Girls" crossed genres, new guitarist Ronnie Wood adds his famous slide guitar, and the Stones were experimenting with disco, country, punk, and the NYC vibe in general.  "Miss You" has those classic verses and Mick's signature delivery of lyrics like "I've been walking Central Park, singing after dark, people think I'm crazy".   "What's the matter with you, boy".   This song got the dreaded 'disco' label but it's just as much of a moody blues number and maintains the Stones rebellious attitude complete with a great sax solo by Mel Collins .    

"DANCE WITH MY FATHER"   LUTHER VANDROSS

Even if you had the worst dad in the world, Luther's song must remind you of someone special that you've lost and you wish you could have one more chance to be together.   The video is one of the best ever.   You feel like you're at a family reunion watching scenes of Beyonce, Brandy, Babyface, Stevie Wonder, and Damon Wayans (funniest part of the video!!!) with their dad or kids.  In addition, watching this video makes me miss the brilliant voice of Luther Vandross (died in 2005), another icon lost way too soon.  Fun Fact:  This song was co-written by Richard Marx

"IF I EVER LEAVE THIS WORLD ALIVE"     FLOGGING MOLLY

First heard this beautiful Irish love song during the Gerard Butler film, P.S. I Love You with Hillary Swank.    Flogging Molly are considered a Celtic Punk band yet they're from California and loved the Irish bar band sound so they went in that musical direction.   Their music is a combination of the Pogues and the Clash.   I'll never forget seeing the Hall of Fame Wall in Dublin, one thing off my bucket list!