This 1981 set was the follow-up to
Ware's 1979 classic Inside Is Love. This effort gave him more of a commercial opportunity with a bigger label. The good news here is that
Ware didn't change his style that much and served as sole producer. Although one would expect
Ware to pull out all of the stops,
Rockin' You Eternally features the same likeable and spare band who offers smooth support throughout. Although
Rockin' You Eternally is another great effort from
Ware, it doesn't start off with a "classic." The first track, "A Little Boogie (Never Hurt No One)," is an odd dance request coming from someone who's known for begging for something else. The synth hook-laden "Baby Don't Stop Me" co-written by
Laudir De Oliveira and
Peter Cetera has
Ware helping himself on backing vocals. On the pleading "Sure Do Want You Now,"
Ware's vocals are especially impassioned and polished. The hypnotic title track has
Ware wanting an extended relationship as he sings, "Don't you know I'm rocking/For the rest of time." On this effort's best track, the instrumental "Don't Stay Away" possesses an intricate melody and a soaring string arrangement from
Gene Page. The only bumble here is the final track. "In Our Garden" has
Ware tackling the "big issues" about the suffering in this land. It's commendable but you'd just as soon hear him singing about romance. Luckily, the majority of
Rockin' You Eternally has
Ware doing just that. ~ Jason Elias