Lenny Kravitz – 1989
Introduction
In 1989 Lenny Kravitz’s debut album was released. Kravitz was a black multi-instrumentalist who wrote, sang, played and produced everything himself. Where had we heard that before? Would Prince finally be dethroned?
Content
This article has 3 sub articles attached to it, which were all published at an earlier time.
- Lenny Kravitz – Let Love Rule – The reviews
- Lenny Kravitz makes his Dutch debut at Paradiso!
- Video: Lenny Kravitz dazzles with his debut album Let Love Rule
When applicable the sub articles will be referenced in the text below.
Lenny Kravitz
Leonard Albert Kravitz was born on May 26, 1964, in New York. His father was a news producer at NBC and was of Ukrainian-Jewish descent. His mother was an actress and was of African-American and Bahamian decent and came from a Christian household. Lenny’s upbringing wasn’t religious, but following a spiritual experience at 13 he decided to visit churches and define himself as Christian.
When he was just 3 years old he started using pots and pans as drums. When he was 5 he decided to become a musician. He learned drums and guitar. At ages 10, the family moved to Los Angeles, where Lenny was exposed to rock music. At school he shared classes with Maria McKee, Nicolas Cage and Slash. In the meantime he learned how to play piano and bass. His parents separated in 1985.
Lenny Kravitz & Lisa Bonet
In search of a record deal he was told his music was not black or white enough. So Kravitz took matters in his own hands, he would pay for his album himself. In 1985 Kravitz stumbled upon Henry Hirsch, a meeting of the minds. They would keep on working together for the biggest part of Kravitz’s career. They not only shared a musical vision, but they were also both interested in vintage instruments and recording equipment, which impacted their sound considerably. In October 1988 the search for a record deal stepped up, the album was more or less finished. A little bidding war ensued as to who would enlist Kravitz. In January 1989 Kravitz signed with Virgin Records.
In the meantime Kravitz had become somewhat known as the ‘husband of’ Cosby Show star Lisa Bonet. they married in November 1987. In 1988 their daughter Zoë was born. In interviews promoting his upcoming debut album Kravitz was frequently questioned about (his relationship with) Bonet. Kravitz: “I know why it happens. She’s famous and I’m not – yet”.
Lenny Kravitz – Let Love Rule
Let Love Rule
On September 6, 1989 (it’s possible the European release date was some days later, September 19 gets mentioned as well), the debut album by Lenny Kravitz was released: Let Love Rule. The album was characterized by a combination of funk, rock, soul, Haight-Ashbury/Summer of Love vibe and retro sound.
Because of the recording techniques the album had no link to the more mainstream 1980s productions, which most certainly contributed to the album’s timeless feel. The album was presented as the result of a one-man-band, which was true, by and large. Kravitz wrote, played, sang and produced nearly everything himself.
In general Let Love Rule was welcomed with some trepidation. The talent was recognized and acknowledged, but the performances were often called predictable, his voice was the weak link and his lyrics in particular were critiqued for their corniness.
In Europe, and most particularly in de Low Countries (The Netherlands and Belgium) it was a different story, the album was a success, sale wise also. In the first 5 years since its release Let Love Rule sold over 2 million copies in Europe, while the 1 million mark still hasn’t been reached in the US.
In The Netherlands and Belgium the album reached the top 20 in the charts, as well as the singles and the album ended up in the top 10 of most of the end-of-year lists of the music magazines.
Press reaction
An overview of some of the press reactions:
What saves him, oddly enough, in this brave, new postmodern world, is a tried-and-true rock & roll virtue: This boy can ignite a groove.
(Rolling Stone, 09/07/1989)And then Lenny Kravitz shows exactly what the music business is always in search of: an extraordinary talent.
(Volkskrant, Dutch newspaper, 09/19/1989)Much here bodes that Kravitz may have a great album in him.
(Los Angeles Times, 09/27/1989)A very promising start.
(Chicago Tribune, 09/28/1989)The lyrical naivety is the only let-down of Let Love Rule. But it’s just a slight one, for Lenny Kravitz’s music is unusually sanguineous.
(Algemeen Dagblad, Dutch newspaper, 09/28/1989)In short, sheer clas.
(HUMO, Belgian magazine, 09/28/1989)Paradise pales next to this.
(Limburgs Dagblad, Dutch newspaper, 10/06/1989)His shocking derivation would be plenty irritating if he didn’t pull it off with such naive nerviness.
(Los Angeles Times, 10/29/1989)… not bad.
(Robert Christgau, 12/1989)
Also see the sub article Lenny Kravitz – Let Love Rule – The reviews for the collection of the complete Let Love Rule reviews dating from 1989.
Lenny Kravitz – Let Love Rule – Promo
Review
Well, how did the album affect me? I absolutely loved it. Following the Let Love Rule single I knew the upcoming album had to be something special. Luckily, that conviction came to pass. By the end of September/early October 1989 I had the album and it didn’t leave my (cd-)player for quite some time.
The production, including the sound’s intentional distortion, felt natural and organic. Contrary to many late 1980s productions, Kravitz chose analog instruments, amplification and recording equipment. As stated before, it all benefitted the album’s timeless quality.
The opening song Sittin’ On Top Of The World clearly introduces a different sonic experience. Kravitz’s emotions radiate from the speakers. Let Love Rule may be lyrically naive (“Love is gentle as a rose / And love can conquer any war / It’s time to take a stand / Brothers and sisters join hands”), but as an anthem it does its job rather convincingly. Freedom Train is totally unique song, über funky and one of the primary examples as to why Let Love Rule is extraordinary as an album.
My Precious Love is a soul ballad in the ‘old’ tradition. After the rocking I Build This Garden For Us, which is a bit too hippie for my taste, Fear brings things back on track: environment, war: “I’m living in fear” sings Kravitz, a phrase that comes across as alarming and strangely soothing as well.
Both Does Anybody Even Care and Mr. Cab Driver are calls against discrimination, racism and prejudice, which Kravitz has been exposed to his entire life. His Jewish sounding name on the one hand and his dark complexion on the other have frequently resulted in expectations that simply could not be met.
Rosemary is a great folk-like song, providing some calm to the album. Kravitz delivers it modestly and with feeling. Be is yet another highlight, a beautiful ballad with a positive message (“When you’re real with yourself / You’ll forever be”).
The 3 ‘cd-only’ songs definitely add something to the mix. Blues For Sister Someone is one of the best songs on the album and deals with drugs and its consequences, and is guided by minimal drums, gritty guitar and (once again) highly emotional vocals by Kravitz. Impressive! After the somewhat tame Empty Hands, Flower Child is a typical 1960s psychedelic song that’s just the perfect album closer.
The reason that Lenny Kravitz was well received by the Dutch (and Belgian) press was most certainly partly rooted in the hopes of a next Prince, after Terence Trent D’Arby turned out not be that guy. Besides, Prince himself hadn’t exactly released his best album in 1989 (Batman). Like Prince, Kravitz was black, a jack-of-all-trades, a composer, producer and he played all those roles with his debut!
Anyway, the album felt right to me and had, especially in those days, an almost untouchable image. After listening to it again I notice many of the songs have stood the age of time and I still love the most of them. In short: highly recommended!
By the way, regarding his lyrics Kravitz said:
People have gotten on me about the hippie stuff, singing about love and optimism. They say I’m unrealistic, that the world is screwed up, so just accept it. But I believe the messages I’m putting out. Maybe I’m living in a dream world, like the hippies in the ’60s. But what’s wrong with dreaming? You have to dream about these things first before they ever become a reality.
Lenny Kravitz interview, Los Angeles Times, 27-09-1989
He’s right of course. Cynicism it (too) easy.
Lenny Kravitz – Let Love Rule – Singles
Singles
Four singles were culled from the Let Love Rule album:
- Let Love Rule
(released on July 23, 1989) - I Build This Garden For Us
(released on January 18, 1990) - Mr. Cab Driver
(released on June 29, 1990) - Does Anybody Out There Even Care
(released on February 6, 1991)
Supposedly, Be was also released as a single (August 13, 1990), but I haven’t found anything to back up that claim.
Two videos were shot for the Let Love Rule single. The first was directed by Lisa Bonet.
Lenny Kravitz – Let Love Rule – Back cover
Songs
All songs written by Lenny Kravitz, unless stated otherwise.
- Sittin’ On Top Of The World
- Let Love Rule
- Freedom Train
- My Precious Love
- I Build This Garden For Us
- Fear (lyrics: Lisa Bonet)
- Does Anybody Out There Even Care
- Mr. Cab Driver
- Rosemary (lyrics: Lenny Kravitz, Lisa Bonet)
- Be
- Blues For Sister Someone
- Empty Hands
- Flower Child
N.B.
The last 3 songs were only available on the original cd release.
In April 2009 Let Love Rule – 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition was released. Next to the remastered original album it contained many extras, like demos, different mixes and live recordings.
Musicians
- Lenny Kravitz – vocals, all instruments
- Henry Hirsch – organ on Let Love Rule, My Precious Love, I Build This Garden For Us, Does Anybody Out There Even Care, Rosemary; piano on My Precious Love, I Build This Garden For Us, Be, Flower Child; bass on I Build This Garden For Us, Empty Hands; Fender Rhodes on I Build This Garden For Us, Fear, Does Anybody Out There Even Care; harmonium on Empty Hands
- Karl Denson – saxophone on Let Love Rule, Freedom Train, My Precious Love, Does Anybody Out There Even Care, Mr. Cab Driver, Blues For Sister Someone, Flower Child
- Eric Delente – violin on I Build This Garden For Us, Empty Hands
- Nancy Ives – cello on I Build This Garden For Us, Empty Hands
- Tisha Campbell, Jean McClain, Yolanda Pittman – background vocals on I Build This Garden For Us
- Matthew Raimondi – violin on Fear, Be
- Alfred Brown – viola on Fear, Be
- Kermit Moore, Mark Shuman – cello on Fear, Be
- Adam Widoff – guitar on Fear
- Gene Orloff, Winterton Yarvey, Lou Elex, Max Ellen, John Tintaualle – violin on Fear
- Maxine Roach – viola on Fear
- Lee Jaffe – harmonica on Rosemary, Empty Hands
Lenny Kravitz – Paradiso 12/13/1989
Paradiso, 12/13/1989
On December 13, 1989, the time had finally come. I was going to see Lenny Kravitz make his Dutch stage debut at the Paradiso in Amsterdam (Netherlands). The complete story on that show can be read in the sub article Lenny Kravitz makes his Dutch debut at Paradiso!.
After Let Love Rule
Immediately following the release of Let Love Rule Kravitz had to assemble a live band. He went out on a club tour (which included the previously mentioned Paradiso concert in Amsterdam), followed by stints as a support act for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Bob Dylan and David Bowie.
In 1990 Lenny Kravitz (and Ingrid Chavez) wrote the song Justify My Love for Madonna. In 1991 he worked with Vanessa Paradis, with whom he consequently had a relationship for many years, for her debut album, writing songs and producing. That same year the relationship with Lisa Bonet ended (they officially divorced two years later). His sadness about that experience was the main input for his second album: Mama Said. The single It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over was a huge hit in his home country, the US. The following funky single Always On The Run was reason enough to give the next album (and Kravitz) a fair chance. In 1991 I saw him play live for the second time, in a larger venue in Utrecht. For me, the magic of that first show had gone.
Unfortunately, to me, Kravitz had given all he had on his debut album. All of the following albums still had some amazing songs on them, but it all seemed too formulaic. Kravitz released many more albums: Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993), Circus (1995), 5 (1998), Lenny (2001), Baptism (2004), It Is Time For A Love Revolution (2008), Black And White (2011), Strut (2014), Raise Vibratuion (2018) and Blue Electric Light (2024). He still tours regularly.
He worked with a lot of artists, like Teena Marie, Cree Summer, Madonna, Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson (posthumously). He also turned to acting which resulted in roles in movies like Zoolander, Precious, The Hunger Games and television shows like The Simpsons, Entourage and Star. He released a collection of furniture and his company Kravitz Design Inc. works in creative design, in its broadest sense.
I did see Lenny Kravitz live one more time, on December 23, 1998 when he appeared on stage during the encore of a Prince show in Utrecht (Netherlands) and played Graham Central Station’s Release Yourself with Prince and his band. Later that same night Prince played a legendary aftershow at Tivoli in Utrecht, during which Kravitz guested on stage.
Eventually, Lenny Kravitz turned out not to be the next Prince. He met some of the conditions, but both innovation and true virtuosity on multiple instruments were lacking. In 1995, the heir to the thrown seemed to have arrived finally when D’Angelo released Brown Sugar and even more so with the release of 2000’s Voodoo . But in the following 24 years just one album (Black Messiah) was released, so D’Angelo wasn’t the one either.
Lenny Kravitz – Let Love Rule – Booklet back cover
In closing
Even though, to me, Lenny Kravitz was never able to equal his debut album again, he is a big name in the world of (pop)music, still drawing huge audiences all over the world. For me he will always be connected to the late 1980s/early 1990s, when he was regarded as the next big thing who was able to do even greater things. A magical moment when Kravitz used his muse to its full extent.
What’s your take on Lenny Kravitz and Let Love Rule? Let me know!
Video/Spotify
This story contains an accompanying video. Click on the following link to see it: Video: Lenny Kravitz dazzles with his debut album Let Love Rule. The A Pop Life playlist on Spotify has been updated as well.
