The 500 - #283 - Can't Get Enough - Barry White

I was inspired by a podcast called The 500 hosted by Los Angeles-based comedian Josh Adam Meyers. His goal, and mine, is to explore Rolling Stone Magazine's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

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Album: #283

Album Title: Can't Get Enough

Artist: Barry White

Genre: Soul, R&B, Disco

Recorded: 20th Century Recording Studios

Released: August, 1974

My age at release: 9

How familiar was I with it before this week: One Song

Is it on the 2020 list? No

Song I am putting on my Spotify Playlist:

Dr. Love, Mr. Love, The Prince of Pillow Talk, Ambassador of Romance, King of Disco, The Maestro and The Walrus of Love. Romantic soul and disco singer Barry White had many nicknames ascribed to him throughout his relatively short, but fascinating, life.

His legendary deep bass voice is what most people remember, but he was also a well-regarded pianist, drummer, composer and producer. He was taught piano by his mother and learned other instruments on his own, a natural musician. When referencing the rich timbre of the singer's voice in a BBC obituary, a commentator said: "If chocolate fudge cake could sing, it would sound like Barry White"

Raised in the tough, inner-city neighbourhood of Watts in South Central Los Angeles, White was involved with local gangs and was a father of two by the time he was 16. When he was in jail for theft; he heard the song It's Now Or Never by Elvis Presley and, according to his autobiography, it was a life-changing moment. In an interview he reflected on that time, saying:

"Survival (in the Watts neighbourhood) makes you a certain kind of person. In 1960, I went to jail for stealing; when I was in jail my ultimate goal was to change my life. I got over that hurdle when I realized....It’s Barry that put you here and the only way you are going to get out...is Barry."

Barry White on his mother's lap (1946)

Upon release from prison, White moved to Hollywood, convinced he was going to be a star. He provided backing vocals for two doo-wop groups, The Atlantics and The Majestics. By the mid-sixties, he was hired by Del-Fi records as an Artists and Repertoire Man (colloquially abbreviated to A&R man). His job was as a talent scout, while overseeing the artistic development of performers already signed to the record label. In 1972, his big break came when he helped produce Love Unlimited, a three-member “girl group” he had discovered.

White with the Love Unlimited trio

By the following year, White had assembled The Love Unlimited Orchestra, a 40-member string and horn ensemble that initially served as the backing band for Love Unlimited. Eventually, the band performed songs written and sung by White and the core members became his touring band.

Love Unlimited Orchestra touring band

White's debut record, I've Got So Much To Give, was released in 1973 and became a critical and commercial success. The first single released from the record was the seductive I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit More, a lush orchestral masterpiece with an infectious groove composed entirely by White. The opening instrumental to the song has been sampled for nearly 300 hip-hop songs, including tracks from Nas and The Notorious B.I.G., who also have albums on The 500 list.

Can't Get Enough was White's third release, containing his two biggest hits – You're The First, The Last, My Everything and Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Baby. The latter established White as a superstar of soul music and the newly emerging genre of disco. He continued to release 17 more studio albums to mixed success, but remained a bankable touring performer. He enjoyed a popular revival when a wave of ‘70s nostalgia hit in the 1990s. He even made the first of two appearances on The Simpsons as himself in the season four episode, Whacking Day.

Barry White as himself on The Simpsons

Overweight for most of his life and a heavy smoker, White had a wide range of health problems, including high blood pressure, kidney disease and diabetes. While undergoing dialysis in 2003, he suffered a massive stroke. He was hospitalized, but a cardiac arrest ended his life. He was 58. His larger than life persona and chocolate-fudge voice live on among a new generation enjoying his works in both the original format and as samples tracks for hundreds of hip-hop songs.

And while his new fans may not be aware of his soapy monikers, plain Barry White is legend enough.