РІР‚СљIf it sounded like I could sing it really well, then thatРІР‚в„ўs what I leaned toward,РІР‚Сњ Studdard explains. Of the selection of songs from VandrossРІР‚в„ў large catalog, Studdard says it was relatively simple.

РІР‚СљWe kinda turned it around to basically tell a story.РІР‚Сњ РІР‚СљWe had a completely different sequence in mind until we listened to every song weРІР‚в„ўd recorded,РІР‚Сњ Studdard confirms. While the casual listener might miss it, die hard Vandross fans will quickly realize that Studdard is doing more on this new album than just singing 10 of another artistРІР‚в„ўs songs: heРІР‚в„ўs using them to create a stellar, sonic narrative.

The albumРІР‚в„ўs ten songs are exceptional, from his covers of Vandross originals like РІР‚СљSo Amazing,РІР‚Сњ РІР‚СљNever Too Much,РІР‚Сњ РІР‚СљРІР‚в„ўTil My Baby Comes Home,РІР‚Сњ and РІР‚СљDonРІР‚в„ўt You Know That,РІР‚Сњ to RubenРІР‚в„ўs takes on songs that Luther reinvented, like РІР‚СљLove WonРІР‚в„ўt Let Me WaitРІР‚Сњ and, yes, РІР‚СљA House Is Not A Home.РІР‚Сњ With one listen to the new Ruben Sings Luther, youРІР‚в„ўll understand - and feel - the respect for Vandross of which Studdard speaks. I try my best to give respect, clarity and integrity to the songs that I cover.РІР‚Сњ To be compared to them is nothing but a compliment. Luther, Donny Hathaway, and Nat РІР‚СљKingРІР‚Сњ Cole were all artists I aspire to be like, and they were the same way. РІР‚СљI understand where it comes from more than ever, and certainly more than I did when I was starting out at 23 years old. РІР‚СљI think the comparison to great song interpreters is a valid one,РІР‚Сњ Studdard, 39 EXCLUSIVELY tells THE HUB.

And blessedly, fans of Vandross will find that, for Studdard, the water is just fine. A few years ago, American Idol alum Ruben Studdard teased his new Ruben Sings Luther album with a cover of VandrossРІР‚в„ў РІР‚СљIf This World Were Mine.РІР‚Сњ At the time, he told me that he hadnРІР‚в„ўt always been ready for the comparison to Vandross.Р”Р‡our years later, as Studdard releases his incredible new tribute album, itРІР‚в„ўs clear that heРІР‚в„ўs waded fully into LutherРІР‚в„ўs water.

Luther vandross songs album back cover