LIONEL RICHIE
Dancing On The Ceiling (Motown)
Reviewed by Erick Mertz

---

Putting together a list of classic Motown albums is like fielding the greatest New York Yankee team of all time: there are so many quality pieces from which to draw, the greatest controversies come in who is left off.

Erstwhile member of the Commodores Lionel Richie is no slouch; arguably, he isn't a Babe Ruth or Micky Mantle-esque legend like the Temptations or Marvin Gaye but put him in the field and he'll produce. Examining his solo work, 1986's Dancing On The Ceiling is arguably Richie's most balanced record coming as a follow up to the commercial dynamo Can't Slow Down. Dancing was no slouch, selling four million copies, thanks to such massive singles as the soulful "Love Will Conquer All" and love making anthem "Say You, Say Me." A just right combination of dance, ballad and mid-tempo complexities, Dancing On The Ceiling is understated - maybe not a franchise player, it is still much more than mere utility infielder. The present re-issue contains 12-inch extended versions of four tracks including the title song, rounding an already solid release into something even more enticing.

Lionel Richie is to Motown Records what third-baseman Craig Nettles was to the New York Yankees.

© 2003 - Erick Mertz