All You Need Is Luv': 25th anniversary!!!

Photo edited by Marco Rens

Late February 1994 saw the release of what is considered as Luv's final studio album: "All You Need Is Luv'". Let's celebrate the 25th anniversary of this CD recorded by Luv's original trio.

History

In 1993, Luv' enjoyed a cheerful reunion and exposure in the media. Their "Luv' Gold" compilation sold quite well (40.000 copies in Benelux). It peaked at #14 on the Dutch Album Top 100 and spent 18 weeks on the charts (see article posted on May 15th, 2018). A megamix also came out and reached the 23rd position on the Dutch Top 40. The ladies went on a promo tour through the Netherlands, Belgium, German-speaking countries and Denmark. 

Before Christmas 1993, terrible news occurred and overshadowed the trio's comeback: Patty Brard went bankrupt due to the bad management of her magazine "Hello" she had launched with her partner Eric Peute. Misled by her lover, the diva was obliged to auction all her possessions in late March 1994 and lost everything. This tragedy hit the headlines. Even the honorable NOS Journaal (Holland's equivalent for BBC News) covered this catastrophe.

Despite this misfortune, Luv' decided to record new material and released the "All You Need Is Luv" album. Experienced producers worked on the project: Piet Souer and Martin Duiser (assisted by Koen van Baal and Okkie Huijsdens) supervised the recording sessions. Souer is familiar to the group's public as Hans van Hemert and he wrote the whole Luv' repertoire in their heyday. Duiser was an acclaimed artist as he was involved in the world famous Stars on 45 project as well as other successful productions (Champagne,  Sandra Reemer, Spargo, Lee Towers, Vanessa, Andrea Bocelli, Gary Brooker, Joe Cocker, Alan Parsons, Simple Minds, Sting and Toto). 

Souer and Duiser had already teamed up in the 1980s to produce popular acts (including Doris D. & The Pins and Anita Meyer). Keyboard player Koen van Baal had a career as an arranger and a session musician for successful singers and groups (including German rock band Scorpions). Okkie Huijsdens collaborated with many Dutch acts (Stars on 45, Sandra Reemer, Patricia Paay, Bodine, Het Goede Doel, Normaal...).

"All You Need Is Luv'" consisted of thirteen tracks recorded in the Bolland studios (owned by the duo Bolland & Bolland) in Blaricum, Netherlands. Luv' covered The Beatles classic hit "All You Need Is Love" in a reggae-oriented tempo. Some songs were rendered in a Euro-dance style: "Don't Stop Now", "One More Night", "I Cried You Outta My Heart" and "Let's Go To The Paradise Of Love". Another track ("Your Love") had a Contemporary R&B influence. Other songs (including "Bad Reputation" and "Big Time Spender") had Pop rock elements. "No Johnny No Can Do" was an attempt to pay tribute to the camp and latino style of Luv's debut. 

Tracklisting

1. "All You Need Is Love" (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 4:15
2. "Don't Stop Now" (Piet Souer - Martin Duiser) - 3:24
3. "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" (Piet Souer - Martin Duiser) - 4:00
4. "Shine On" (Piet Souer - Martin Duiser) - 3:28
5. "One More Night" (Koen van Baal) - 3:45
6. "I Cried You Outta My Heart" (Piet Souer - Martin Duiser) - 6:10
7. "You Love" (Koen van Baal) - 4:23
8. "Let's Go To The Paradise Of Love" (Piet Souer - Martin Duiser) - 4:00
9. "Bad Reputation" (Piet Souer - Martin Duiser) - 3:22
10. "No Johnny, No Can Do" (Piet Souer - Martin Duiser) - 3:38
11. "Big Time Spender" (Piet Souer - Martin Duiser) - 3:00
12. "Break" (Piet Souer - Martin Duiser) - 4:00
13. "Medley" (Janschen & Janschens) - 4:00 U.O.Me / You're the Greatest Lover / Casanova / My Number One.

Credits

José Hoebee - vocals

Marga Scheide - vocals

Patty Brard - vocals

Produced by Piet Souer and Martin Duiser

Arranged by Koen van Baal except "Don't Stop Now" and "Big Time Spender" arranged by Piet Souer

Recorded at M.D.P and Bolland Studios, Blaricum, Netherlands.

Mixed by Piet Souer, Martin Duiser and Okkie Huysdens

Cover Design: Henk-Jan Voordes

Manufactured by Midget U.K.

Pressed by Dynamic Laserdisc

Release and distribution

The album was released by Roman Disc. The copyright was registered at UK's leading collection society MCPS. 

The CD was only available in Kruidvat shops (a Dutch drugstore chain). Because of this limited distribution, it did not enter the album charts.

Re-issue

All You Need Is Luv' was reissued in 1995 and re-packaged as "One More Night" by Rondo Music Music/Pink Records.

Source: Luv' blog archives, Wikipedia, Discogs.com