So... Universal Music Mexico got it out first:



http://www.universalmusicmagazine.com/lionel-richie-y-shania-twain-cantan-endless-love/


At the end of the article:

Lionel Richie Feat. Shania Twain – Endless Love (4:18) 128kbs


Darn good version too. Best vocal job from Shania in this Millenium. Really. Excellent production - very Muttesque; lotsa space between the instrumental elements... bass & drums, mandolin, then the string backdrop - even the very short electric guitar solo effectively highlights the huge emotional charge within the song... and right after it, Lionel & Shania's vocals return... - a definite goosebump moment.

Best song I've heared so far this year... and perhaps best from Shania since COO.

IMHO.


John -

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Thanks for the heads up, John.

And thanks for one of your rare, substantive, personal reviews.

= = = = = = =

Didn't know where to listen to that. But found a version, on youtube, with that cd cover included in some parts.

I saw some of those photos of the 2 of them, and vid segments on the TV OWN series, Shania's "Why Not?" several months ago. In that context, there were questions of how well her voice box strictures could be loosened up. So I was quite distracted by that. I naturally interpreted the strain in her face, as strain in her voice.

Now, without any of those distractions, just the music - wow, it IS good!

For me, it's only a little bit goose-bumpy. But it's a more noticeably teary eye effect for me. I get emotional about anyone I know about and like a lot, who's been an underdog in some major ways, who then overcomes daunting obstacles and adversity and succeeds big time. And maybe I'm a bit more susceptible when my blood sugar is on low ebb. I haven't had breakfast yet. It's 3:06 pm. I've been up and at it for hours. I don't eat before I exercise, else I'll relax and lose motivation to exercise that day (run 3 miles, mountain run for 30 minutes, or lift weights 45 minutes). But there've been so many interesting things going on today, and I've been indulging in those, and saving exercise til I get a spare moment.

I don't know just how good versions you have heared.


This one - nowhere near perfect - is the best available:

http://www.universalmusicmagazine.com/w ... 709182.mp3


...and, perhaps my all-time favourite Lionel Richie song, by the man himself:

Lady - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz1jrlX27kE


GOOD, eh..?


With language this good, makes one believe... there MUST be a God


John -

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Hmn,
this version you linked to, is audio only, no visuals, which helps for a true audio evaluation.

Sounds different,

Her voice and presentation sounds better here, than the version I heard on youtube.

it's more "on"

I can't say how it compares to the other versions of the song that were done as a duet by Richie with someone else, because I've not heard those.

But I now have a very similar reaction, to the one you described at the start of this thread.

Sounds like the best duet I ever remember hearing her perform.

Great song, great performance, by both of them.

They are well matched vocally.

I always wondered who would make the best vocal partner for her.

Who knew it could turn out to be Richie. He's got a way of collaborating that is very respectful and supportive. Puts her in a good place and lets her shine. And she 'comes through' with great vocal presence and fine musical artistry.

I had guessed that her best duet match would be mostly related to the natural pitch and sound of the man's voice. I may have been wrong about that.

I liked him before, but didn't know he did duets.

She did really well in the duet "Party For Two" where she was swinging on a chandelier with Billy Currington, I think it was. That had colorful visuals. I don't remember hearing that song with just the audio, not the video. Hmn, I just re-listened to that. About as close as it gets to being perfect to my ears. The visuals added a lot.

I don't know what the video/visuals are with the commercial release of this duet with Richie. But there should be almost unlimited potential. John Derek isn't around any more, so it won't be another "Any Man of Mine" type. But if done right, it could be that momentous. Maybe it will be part of some movie.

Thanks again John.

A most enjoyable listen.

I don't often just sit here, reflecting on music I've just heard, without desire to go on and do something else.

Just kind of satisfied and content.

I haven't read the 2nd half of your post yet. I'll get to that later.

Hmn...,

I didn't know Lionel Richie was the original song writer for "Endless Love".

No wonder he knows how to sing it so well.

The lyrics are terrific. Surprised I don't remember him as well as some of the performers, who have gotten famous, singing Richie's songs.

Both "Endless Love" and "Lady" are the kind of lyrics that have fathomless depth, in both thought and feeling.

Wow. Finally her personality shines thru and thru again. At least in the way I liked to think, I knew her.
Her musical stylist's talent is still there and the arrangement gives them air and unhurried easieness, like it should when the singing works this good.

Makes more and more wait for her new album. And wish that it is with Rubin... Foster's attempts in TISYT to copy Muttish (sorry Jussie but this is better word ) sound sort of irritated me.

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the link has been taken down it does not work for me anymore..

Song is gone from the link. I was actually surprised the entire song got put up on the website, thus allowing anyone to download it. I guess fans will have to be patient a bit longer.

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Try this to listen:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... q7Rc6BUFas


Steve

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Sorry that UMG has blocked it. Bummer!! Well, it was good while it was there.



Steve

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These official leaks are hilarious.


John -

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I saw in my Saturday Walmart Flyer today that the single will be availabel on February 7th [Tuesday] in the US. I scanned the ad from the flyer, but eliminating everything else on the page made it a bit blurry, sorry:




Steve

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Hey, thanks Steve!

That's only a couple days from now.

And Walmart is only a couple miles from me.

I think I'm gonna get it.

Sure hope they found or developed some video for this song, that is as good as the audio. Watching that OWN video footage with the song was a great story in that TV series context. But watching her strain her face and voice on a regular, commercial, music video, might be like scratching my finger nails on a blackboard.

Too bad John Derek was before my time. I'd heard his name originally, only because he was married to Bo Derek, about whom a movie was made, purportedly with her as the perfect #10 in beauty as a woman. It has occurred to me at least occasionally, that there are differences in men's tastes about female beauty. She was very well constructed, but I've known a few ladies personally, whose beauty was far more attractive to me. Nevertheless, my 2nd awareness of John Derek's name, was from his video for Shania's song Any Man of Mine.

It wasn't until a few weeks ago, that I came across John Derek a 3rd time. In the credits of some classic movie from the past. Who was that dark haired young man, I wondered, whose looks were causing all the ladies' heads to turn. Looked it up on IMDB. Wow, he was quite a guy back in the day. The point here is, he sure knew how to support or enhance a song, with visuals. I hope they found someone still alive, who can do the same, with this music.

Probably some of the other country song performers on this album will have pretty good material too. I haven't seen a lot of that in country music or any music lately. But there was one video that I liked a lot. It was Josh Turner's "Your Man". His wife is his partner in various scenes. The music and their presence, spontaneously gets the hotel staff workers dancing and fooling around to the music, which in turn makes me feel like dancing too.

Let's see, how many topic corners did I turn there? One, two, three...,

Y'know, there's a difference between constructive imagination, and distraction. I hope it isn't just two sides of the same coin.

I just purchased the song on iTunes.


John -

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