200 MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS. This update: #74. Continues next week.

THE CAFFE` LATTE`

200

MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS

Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included. This is a personal listing of the albums I enjoy the most to this day.

#74

SONGS OF LOVE & LOSS:

 TINA ARENA

 

 [2007] 

America has Barbra Streisand; Canada: Celine Dion. Australia's equivalent chanteuse is Tina Arena. The pinnacle of her recording career was the first of 2 albums issued under the title 'Songs Of Love & Loss'. Arena re-interprets a solid collection of enduring classics and favourites. Her covers approach each song from a fresh perspective. Throughout, that voice shines. Included here are 2 jewels from the Burt Bacharach & Hal David songbook ("The Look Of Love" and "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself"). "So Far Away" from Carole King's 'Tapestry' is beautifully updated. Arena takes on 2 Motown #1s for Diana Ross ("Thene From Mahogany" and "Love Hangover"). She avoids the pitfall of becoming repetitive by covering a surprising mix of source material; from R.E.M. ("Everybody Hurts"), Kate Bush ("The Man With The Child In His Eyes") and Lulu's movie #1 "To Sir With Love". Her rendition of "The Windmills Of Your Mind" is the best ever performance of the Michel Legrand / Alan & Marilyn Bergman composition. Arena delivered such a strong selection of covers on this album, that a sequel was a no-brainer.

Highlight tracks: The Windmills Of Your Mind; The Look Of Love; I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" & "To Sir With Love".