Search - Darlene Love :: Unconditional Love

At 57, Love IS Alive and Well - Sounding Better Than Ever

bivroy@hotmail.com | New York, NY | 01/30/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"1960's pop music icon Darlene Love is back in full force these days. With the release of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE from Harmony Records, Love proves that at 57 she still packs a vocal punch that rivals many lightweights half her age. The delivery and vocal honesty of Love's performance on this album let you know exactly where her heart stands: with her music, her fans, and most of all, with God. For years, Love has been called one of the best kept secrets in the music industry. If nothing else, this album and its message stand as a testament to the fact that perseverance and struggle pay off in ones life. Darlene went from recording No. 1 hits like "He's A Rebel" and "Da Doo Ron Ron" in the 1960's to cleaning bathrooms in Beverly Hills in the 1980's. She still hasn't achieved the status in music history that she is FAR deserving of, but God love her, she's still thrilling those of us who are faithfully as devoted to her as she is to us. This album is worth it's price in gold. Buy a copy for someone you truly love."

ONE OF THE BEST VOICES IN THE BIZ

NYC Music Lover | New York, NY United States | 12/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Darlene Love is still, after all these years, one of
the "best kept secrets in show business". Not that
she isn't well-known in music circles, and to her
faithful following, but this is a woman with so much
talent that she should be singing before sellout
crowds at Radio City Music Hall. While she may be
best-known for her sublime recordings with Phil
Spector and for playing Danny Glover's wife in all
of the Lethal Weapon films, Darlene has maintained
a high standard of vocal brilliance for the last
40 years (she's 61 as of 2002). This recording finds
her tackling a nice variety of Gospel songs, sung
with all of the fervor and passion you would expect.
The CD is produced by Edwin Hawkins of "Oh Happy Day"
fame, and Darlene truly gets you "feelin' the spirit".
Some of the arrangements are too heavy with cheesy
synth backgrounds, but Darlene and the fantastic choir
of first-rate gospel singers more than make up for that.
If you want to get your feet tapping, your face smiling,
and your heart soaring, pick up this CD. You won't
regret it!!"

Darlene sings gospel

M. J. Rossiter | UK | 08/22/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Fans of Darlene and her work with Phil Spector will be very disappointed with this album.

It lacks her usual fire, and the tracks seem very samey and tuneless.

Her voice comes across as if she is bored with the whole thing, anfd it really needs some uptempo material.

This isn't going to win her new fans I am afraid, and even fans like myself will be let down after such a long wait for her releases"