Choosing You

• Artist: Lenny Williams
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1977 07
• Genre: Rhythm & Blues

Review

Lenny Williams was a product of a pre-MTV era, in which talent and chops counted for more than image in R&B. Although the former Tower of Power singer was considered attractive and could drive women wild -- especially when he was belting out a romantic Tower of Power ballad like "So Very Hard to Go" or "Willing to Learn" -- it was Williams' amazing vocal range that ultimately won over '70s soul audiences. One of the best solo albums that Williams recorded after leaving Tower in 1975 was 1977's Choosing You, a generally excellent LP that was produced by Frank Wilson. Most of the time, this is a very optimistic record -- Williams' optimism is hard to miss on upbeat offerings like "Shoo Doo Fu Fu Ooh!," "Look Up With Your Mind," and the funky title song (which boasts an addictive groove that won't quit). Choosing You isn't a disco album, although its positive outlook reflects the feel-good mentality of the disco era. This isn't to say that the lyrics aren't substantial -- on "Please Don't Tempt Me," for example, Williams portrays a married man who is battling the urge to commit adultery. Regrettably, Choosing You went out of print when ABC folded -- and when the 20th century came to an end, it had yet to be reissued on CD. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Shoo Doo Fu Fu Ooh!	Lenny Williams, Bernard Thompson	Lenny Williams	(3:23)
Look Up with Your Mind	Frank Wilson, Judy Wieder	Lenny Williams	(4:41)
Choosing You	Lenny Williams	Lenny Williams	(6:12)
Riding the High Wire	John Footman, Judy Wieder	Lenny Williams	(4:33)
Please Don't Tempt Me	Joseph Powell, Art Posey	Lenny Williams	(7:52)
I've Been Away from Love Too Long	Joseph Powell, Art Posey	Lenny Williams	(4:08)
Trust in Me	John Footman, Terri McFadden, Frank Wilson	Lenny Williams	(4:15)
Problem, Solver	Lenny Williams, David Stallings	Lenny Williams	(3:54)

Credits

Charles Veal (Arranger), Wade Marcus (String Arrangements), Kevin Beamish (Mixing), Frank Beaty Wilson (Rhythm Arrangements), J. Frank Wilson (Arranger), J. Frank Wilson (Engineer), Sonny Burke (Keyboards), Lenny Pickett (Sax (Alto)), Gary Heery (Photography), Michael Boddicker (Synthesizer), Joseph Powell (Keyboards), Ollie E. Brown (Drums), Neil Larsen (Keyboards), Shondu Akiem (Percussion), James Gadson (Drums), Kevin Beamish (Engineer), Paul Mabry (Drums), John D. Fox (Vocals (Background)), Mic Gillette (Trumpet), Frank Beaty Wilson (Vocals (Background)), Greg Poree (Guitar), Willie Weeks (Trumpet), Greg Adams (Trumpet), J. Frank Wilson (Vocals (Background)), Bruce Miller (Arranger), Frederick Lewis (Percussion), Steve Beckmeier (Guitar), Emilio Castillo (Sax (Tenor)), William "Bill" Greene (Arranger), Greg Phillinganes (Keyboards), Stephen "Doc" Kupka (Sax (Baritone)), Gary Coleman (Percussion), Frank Beaty Wilson (Mixing), Raymond Lee Pounds (Drums), Mic Gillette (Trombone), John Footman (Keyboards), Ollie Brown (Drums), Lenny Pickett (Sax (Tenor)), Wade Marcus (Arranger), Ray Parker, Jr. (Guitar), Venetta Fields (Vocals (Background)), Rick Howard (Production Coordination), William "Bill" Greene (Soloist), Kenneth Russell Chavis (Guitar), William "Bill" Greene (Flute), Greg Adams (Arranger), Reginald Burke (Keyboards), Bruce Miller (Rhythm Arrangements), Nathan Watts (Bass), Wade Marcus (Horn Arrangements), Gerri Grainger (Vocals (Background)), Bruce Miller (String Arrangements), Sherlie Matthews (Vocals (Background)), Willie Weeks (Bass), James Jamerson, Jr. (Bass), Lenny Williams (Vocals (Background)), Jack Ashford (Percussion)