VOA常速英语:Lionel Richie Updates Classic Sound on New Release, 'Just Go'

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Lionel Richie worked with some of today's top contemporary artists and producers on 'Just Go,' his first new album in more than two years.  

Lionel Richie is best known for such 1980s pop classics as "Truly," "Hello" and "Say You, Say Me."  

Three years ago, he turned to some popular hip-hop producers to update his sound for his "Coming Home" album. They included Jermaine Dupree and Dallas Austin. The collection gave Lionel his first Top 10 debut on the Billboard 200 chart.

While making on his new album "Just Go," Lionel once again worked with innovative songwriters and producers. He talked about the collaborations on U.S. television.

"On this album, you know, Ne-Yo and Tricky and The-Dream and Kuk and The Movement and Akon, I'm telling you this album is amazing," said Richie. "And the joke with me was I walked in the room and said, 'OK, you're now Lionel Richie. Tell me what I sound like in 2009 and '10.' And, they nailed it."

Lionel got his first taste of success back in the 1970s as a member of The Commodores. His multi-million-selling debut solo album was released in 1982. Since then, the five-time Grammy Award winner has recorded nine more albums. Lionel explains that he doesn't take career longevity for granted.

"Very few times in life does any entertainer, anyone … you don't have this luxury where you stay around this long," he said. "Normally you have three hit records, four hit records, two movies, three movies and bye-bye."

Lionel recently wrapped up a two-month European tour. He returned to the U.S. in time to perform on the recent "American Idol" finale. In July, he'll appear at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana, and more North American concerts are scheduled for later in the year. Lionel has also mentioned the possibility of reuniting later this year to begin work on a new Commodores album.