Luther Vandross vs. Anthony Hamilton | Head 2 Head

On Head 2 Head no. 30, Luther Vandross & Anthony Hamilton – duetting with Jennifer Hudson – contend for the best rendition of “Superstar.”

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elcome to Head 2 Head ! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song together, comparing their performances.  Then, after much deliberation, we deliver a verdict of which performance was the best, or at least, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  On the 30^th edition of head-to-head, Luther Vandross and Anthony Hamilton – duetting with Jennifer Hudson – contend for the best rendition of “Superstar”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

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Background

The beloved song, “Superstar,” was written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell.  Russell, of course, is best known for “A Song for You”, famously covered by another R&B great, Donny Hathaway.  Music history everywhere, right?   The Carpenters are renowned for their cover of “Superstar” released in 1971.  The original recording, however, is credited to Delaney & Bonnie. 

 

On our 21^st Head 2 Head – Luther Vandross vs. Ruben Studdard: Head 2 Head No. 21 – we compared covers by Vandross and Ruben Studdard.  Worth noting, Studdard was nominated for a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Now, we keep Vandross in the mix and compare his rendition to a 2021 version by Anthony Hamilton and Jennifer Hudson. Sigh, the covers of “Superstar” just keep on coming!

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1. Luther Vandross, “Superstar”

Busy Body • Sony Music Entertainment • 1983

There are few singers who could sing as smooth as Luther Vandross.  Vandross was the exemplification of cool energy and finesse.  His vocal performances can be characterized by being refined.  One of Vandross’ best, most iconic performances was his cover of “Superstar.”  Appearing as the seventh track on his 1983 album, Busy Body, the original nine-minute-long song is fused with the soul gem, “Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do)”.  On various greatest hits compilations, it’s released as a standalone, five-and-a-half-minute-long number.

 

Listening to Luther sing “Superstar” is a heavenly experience – it’s almost spiritual! His tone is silky smooth, riding lush production work with incredible ease.  He sings with utmost expression yet never forces things.  Furthermore, that backdrop, intact with keys, strings, and backing vocals, never crowds or inhibits Vandross – he’s always in command. Speaking of background vocals, I love it when we get those sweet ‘Lutheran’ (not religious) harmonies.  Vandross makes “Superstar” his own, gorgeous adult contemporary R&B masterpiece.

Also appears on :
Luther Vandross vs. Ruben Studdard: Head 2 Head No. 21 

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2. Anthony Hamilton & Jennifer Hudson, “Superstar”

Love is the New Black • My Music Box / BMG Rights Management • 2021

Anthony Hamilton’s middle name should be SOUL.  Why? The Grammy winner (who has sadly won just ONE award) has been a huge proponent of preserving the sanctity of soul music.  He is among the most consistent musicians I’ve ever heard regardless of genre.  He understands his niche as a neo-soul, adult contemporary R&B musician. After an agonizing five-year-hiatus, Hamilton returned with another superb studio album, Love is the New Black, which features his own take on “Superstar.”

 

Hamilton, of course, taps another prodigious talent, Academy award and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson, to tackle this smooth cover.  Clearly, Hamilton and Hudson pattern their rendition after Luther Vandross, who masterfully crafted the R&B version. Hamilton maintains the slow tempo, like the Vandross version.  While melodically, he is influenced by Luther as well, he also ensures he adds his own spin.  He’s a skilled vocalist in his own right, able to add nuances and runs true to himself and his own artistry.  Besides providing his own spin via melodic tweaks, part of the spin separating this version from the definitive R&B version is the addition of Hudson on the second verse.  She sings beautifully, never over singing and keeping things C-L-A-S-S-Y.  Her and Hamilton complement each other once they sing together on the chorus, as well as a distinct extended outro that separates itself from Luther too.  The warmth and lushness of the sound is a big selling point, characteristic of Vandross and Hamilton’s illustrious, sadly, underrated musical catalog.   

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The Verdict  

Luther Vandross or Anthony Hamilton x Jennifer Hudson?  Hamilton and Hudson conjure up some magic, but just like Head 2 Head No. 21, Vandross wins, hands down. Vandross, again, is on another level, and just like Ruben Studdard would agree, so will Grammy-winners Hamilton and J Hud. 

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Luther Vandross vs. Anthony Hamilton: Head 2 Head No. 30 [: BMG Rights Management, Brent Faulkner, GenderArts from Pixabay, The Musical Hype, My Music Box, Sony Music Entertainment,  Valentin Tikhonov from Pixabay]

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