AMG Review of Motown Legends: Three Times a Lady

Andrew Hamilton
All Music Guide

These eleven songs encompass all phases of the Commodores. You're treated to instrumentals, the Lionel Ritchie ballads, and funk/soul jams written by group members. "Three Times a Lady" is pretty, but it wouldn't be in my time capsule; it's a waltz. Walter Orange leads "Brick House," and mimics Ohio Players, Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner patented aww aww's. Two instrumentals "Machine Gun," and "Thumpin' Music" fail to pique my interest, and always have, thankfully they moved away from this form of musical expression. A pop ish "This Is Your Life," gave an early indication of where Lionel Ritchie's head was at, and where he was going musically.