Deonda Theus’ Loving You Old School is a refreshing return to the good old fashion love song, with the type of smooth melodies and sensuous lyricism that illustrates the soul of R&B. With the accompaniment of the such accomplished musicians as guitarist and producer Terence Thomas, saxophonist Louis Thomas, and profoundly gifted clarinetist Evan Wood (my brother, I must disclose) Deonda’ effortless vocal charm brings a range of songs, from upbeat and likably flirty tunes like Again, and You Like Me, to the reflective and somber melody of Starlight, to life. Her innately romantic feel and natural chemistry with producer and arranger Terence Thomas is an easy fit for Lucky Man and Teena Marie’s classic Casanova Brown, but her lyrical creativity and originality truly shine in the triumphantly romantic title track, Loving You Old School, a charming ode, I dare say, to every listener who remembers when the simplicity of love passed from person to person unimpeded by the gadgets and gizmos behind which everybody seems to be hiding their feelings today.
Deonda’ music is the music of real love, for real people and real lovers. Listen to the fresh romantic groove of I Miss You. Her music is light on frills, but heavy on the straightforward expressiveness that makes every word easy to relate to, with enough serious sexiness in songs like Let’s Make Music to provide a sound for every mood. This is the type of music you can listen to in the car or on the porch, when you’re relaxing or when you just need to relax, when your falling in love…or just shopping around. It’s that old school vibe for people who know what it means to love the straightforward, old fashioned way, as well as for those who are just figuring it out.
-John Wood, Jr.
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