Thursday, August 31, 2017

200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #113: THE COMMODORES. Continues tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte`
on Spotify
This countdown is on spotify, featuring the latest update and the earlier songs that form  the entire list of:
The Caffé Latté
200
FAVOURITE
MUSIC ACTS
The Commodores: The Definitive Collection - Commodores
#113
COMMODORES
The members of The Commodores were students at Tuskegee Institute, Alabama. In 1967, the band formed from the ashes of 2 dissolved groups: The Jays and The Mystics. Once The Commodores signed with Motown, the band took off, making its chart debut with "Machine Gun" in 1974. The following year, "I Feel Sanctified" topped the US R&B chart. More soul chart toppers ensued: "Just To Be Close To You" (1976), "Easy" (1977) and "Too Hot Ta Trot" (1978). The latter was included on the 'Thank God It's Friday' soundtrack. This disco film included The Commodores as part of the cast.
1978 saw the band reach a new height. "Three Times A Lady" reached #1 on America's Pop, R&B and Adult Contemporary charts. It also made the top in Britain, Canada and Australia. 
The sound of the group shifted from the funky grooves of "Brick House" to ballads such as "Sail On". The latter proved more lucrative. "Still" topped the US chart in 1979.
As the 1980s began, Lionel Richie was contemplating a solo career. He remained a Commodore as he released "Endless Love", a duet with Diana Ross. In 1981, the song made #1 around the planet. 
Richie quit the group in 1982. With the exception of "Nightshift" in 1985, the group struggled without him. Richie's solo career soon surpassed his success with The Commodores. Only 2 founding members remain in the current line-up: Walter "Clyde" Orange and William King. The trio still includes Richie's replacemment, J.D. Nicholas.


spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

114 COLDPLAY
115 SIMPLY RED
116 ONE DIRECTION
117 CAROLE KING
118 R. KELLY
119 EMELI SANDE`
120 QUINCY JONES
121 LADY GAGA
122 ELVIS COSTELLO
123 RAY CHARLES
124 ED SHEERAN
125 NATALIE COLE
126 SMOKEY ROBINSON
127 KANYE WEST
128 ELVIS PRESLEY
129 ERIC BENET
130 SAM SMITH
131 JAMES TAYLOR
132 STEELY DAN
133 IKE & TINA TURNER
134 DES’REE
135 ACE OF BASE
136 VAN MORRISON
137 SAM COOKE
138 THE DOORS
139 AMY WINEHOUSE
140 PHARRELL WILLIAMS
141 GEORGE BENSON
142 MINNIE RIPERTON
143 VILLAGE PEOPLE
144 CURTIS MAYFIELD
145 FOREIGNER
146 EURYTHMICS
147 TOTO
148 BARRY WHITE
149 CARL RISELEY
150 TONI BRAXTON
151 NEIL DIAMOND
152 HALL & OATES
153 LUTHER VANDROSS
154 ERIC CLAPTON
155 THE O’JAYS
156 RUMER
157 SLY & THE FAMILY STONE
158 LITTLE RICHARD
159 HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES
160 CHRIS ISAAK
161 MICHAEL McDONALD
162 GLORIA GAYNOR
163 TWENTY ONE PILOTS
164 BEN E. KING
165 MEAT LOAF
166 JAMES REYNE
167 JOAN ARMATRADING
168 SADE
169 A-HA
170 GLEN CAMPBELL
171 DIRE STRAITS
172 COLD CHISEL
173 LINDA RONSTADT
174 ANTHONY CALLEA
175 LISA STANSFIELD
176 EN VOGUE
177 MICHAEL BUBLE`
178 TRACY CHAPMAN
179 DRAGON
180 OLETA ADAMS
181 LITTLE RIVER BAND
182 SOPHIE ELLIS – BEXTOR
183 THE RONETTES
184 CERRONE
185 MODELS
186 SCISSOR SISTERS
187 DARREN HAYES
188 PETULA CLARK
189 MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS
190 LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY
191 ART GARFUNKEL
192 THE REELS
193 JANIS IAN
194 JOHN PAUL YOUNG
195 S CLUB 7
196 CHARLIE PUTH
197 THE MARVELETTES
198 ICEHOUSE
199 LEO SAYER
200 LIZA MINNELLI
200 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #81: EVERYBODY HURTS. Continues: tomorrow.
CAFFE` LATTE` PRESENTS
200 SONGS
WITH THE
BEST LYRICS
A countdown of the 200 songs possessing the best lyrics of all-time. A playlist on spotify will be added at the end of the week.
#8I
EVERYBODY HURTS
“…Everybody cries
& everybody hurts sometimes...
Featured on R.E.M.'s 1992 album 'Automatic For The People', the track "Everybody Hurts" is an encouraging and soothing track.
It was released as a single in the following year, going Top 10 in Britain, Canada, Australia and parts of Europe.
The song is credited to the group members. Its lyrics explain that we all have times that are difficult but that if we persevere, the pain will pass.
As new songs are covered on this blog, a definitive version will be added to a spotify playlist. Find it and the other Caffé Latté playlists at:

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #114: COLDPLAY. Continues tomorrow.
Caffe` Latte`
on Spotify
This countdown is on spotify, featuring the latest update and the earlier songs that form  the entire list of:
The Caffé Latté
200
FAVOURITE
MUSIC ACTS
Coldplay
#114
COLDPLAY
The members of Coldplay met at London's University College and began performing in 1998. An EP entitled 'Safety' followed. In 1999 the band signed with Parlophone.
Debut album 'Parachutes' was issued in 2000. It reached #1 in Britain on the strength of the Top 10 singles "Yellow" and "Trouble". Its success was surpassed by sophomore release 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head' 2 years later. This album topped charts in the UK, Europe, Brazil, Canada and Australia. In the US, it peaked at #5.  The album included the 3 Top 10 hits: "In My Place", "The Scientist" and "Clocks". Grammy Awards followed.
In 2005, Coldplay unleashed 'X&Y'. This album made #1 in America, Britain, Europe, Canada and Australia. "Speed Of Sound", "Fix You" and "Talk" were Top 10 hits lifted off the disc. 
By now, Coldplay - and notably lead vocalist Chris Martin - was widely recognized as one of the leading groups in rock music. Collaborating with producer Brian Eno produced 'Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends'. The 2008 album reached the top in the USA, UK, Argentina, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The title track became the band's 1st #1 single in America and Britain. 
In 2011, Coldplay scored a 2nd UK chart-topper with "Paradise" from 'Mylo Xyloto', which also went to #1 in many countries including America and Britain. 'Ghost Stories' did the same in 2014. 'A Head Full Of Dreams' followed the next year, becoming the band's 7th consecutive UK #1 album. "Something Just Like This", a collaboration with The Chainsmokers, was a Top 3 international hit in 2017 and was included on Coldplay's 'Kaleidoscope' EP.


spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

115 SIMPLY RED
116 ONE DIRECTION
117 CAROLE KING
118 R. KELLY
119 EMELI SANDE`
120 QUINCY JONES
121 LADY GAGA
122 ELVIS COSTELLO
123 RAY CHARLES
124 ED SHEERAN
125 NATALIE COLE
126 SMOKEY ROBINSON
127 KANYE WEST
128 ELVIS PRESLEY
129 ERIC BENET
130 SAM SMITH
131 JAMES TAYLOR
132 STEELY DAN
133 IKE & TINA TURNER
134 DES’REE
135 ACE OF BASE
136 VAN MORRISON
137 SAM COOKE
138 THE DOORS
139 AMY WINEHOUSE
140 PHARRELL WILLIAMS
141 GEORGE BENSON
142 MINNIE RIPERTON
143 VILLAGE PEOPLE
144 CURTIS MAYFIELD
145 FOREIGNER
146 EURYTHMICS
147 TOTO
148 BARRY WHITE
149 CARL RISELEY
150 TONI BRAXTON
151 NEIL DIAMOND
152 HALL & OATES
153 LUTHER VANDROSS
154 ERIC CLAPTON
155 THE O’JAYS
156 RUMER
157 SLY & THE FAMILY STONE
158 LITTLE RICHARD
159 HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES
160 CHRIS ISAAK
161 MICHAEL McDONALD
162 GLORIA GAYNOR
163 TWENTY ONE PILOTS
164 BEN E. KING
165 MEAT LOAF
166 JAMES REYNE
167 JOAN ARMATRADING
168 SADE
169 A-HA
170 GLEN CAMPBELL
171 DIRE STRAITS
172 COLD CHISEL
173 LINDA RONSTADT
174 ANTHONY CALLEA
175 LISA STANSFIELD
176 EN VOGUE
177 MICHAEL BUBLE`
178 TRACY CHAPMAN
179 DRAGON
180 OLETA ADAMS
181 LITTLE RIVER BAND
182 SOPHIE ELLIS – BEXTOR
183 THE RONETTES
184 CERRONE
185 MODELS
186 SCISSOR SISTERS
187 DARREN HAYES
188 PETULA CLARK
189 MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS
190 LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY
191 ART GARFUNKEL
192 THE REELS
193 JANIS IAN
194 JOHN PAUL YOUNG
195 S CLUB 7
196 CHARLIE PUTH
197 THE MARVELETTES
198 ICEHOUSE
199 LEO SAYER
200 LIZA MINNELLI
200 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #82: BLACK AND BLUE. Continues: tomorrow.
CAFFE` LATTE` PRESENTS
200 SONGS
WITH THE
BEST LYRICS
A countdown of the 200 songs possessing the best lyrics of all-time. A playlist on spotify will be added at the end of the week.
#82
BLACK AND BLUE
“…I’m white inside
but that don’t help my case
’cause I can’t hide
what is in my face...
"(What Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue" is a jazz standard most famously covered by Louis Armstrong. He re-recorded versions of the song. It was written by Fats Waller, Harry Brooks and Andy Razaf.
"Black And Blue" is widely regarded as the advent of songs relating to civil rights. In its wake came more powerful anthems such as "A Change Is Gonna Come" (Sam Cooke), "Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud" (James Brown) and "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free" (Nina Simone).
As new songs are covered on this blog, a definitive version will be added to a spotify playlist. Find it and the other Caffé Latté playlists at:

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #115: SIMPLY RED. Continues tomorrow.
Caffe` Latte`
on Spotify
This countdown is on spotify, featuring the latest update and the earlier songs that form  the entire list of:
The Caffé Latté
200
FAVOURITE
MUSIC ACTS
 TheVeryBestOfSimplyRedAlbumCover.jpg
#115
SIMPLY RED
Simply Red revolves around lead vocalist Mick Hucknall. The original line-up formed in Manchester in 1984. Debut album 'Picture Book' was released the following year, featuring debut single "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)". This remake of a soul track by The Valentine Brothers broke Simply Red around the world. In 1986, a re-issue of "Holding Back The Years" provided the band with its biggest hit. The single reached #1 in America and peaked at #2 in the UK.
Follow-up LP 'Men And Women' repeated the #2 success of the group's debut album in Britain. 'A New Flame' gave the band its 1st UK #1. This release included a cover of "If You Don't Know Me By Now", a #1 hit in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
More British #1 albums followed: 'Stars' (1991), 'Life' (1995), 'Greatest Hits' (1996) and 'Blue' (1998). In 1995, Simply Red finally had a chart-topping song in its country of origin with "Fairground".
Following the 2007 album 'Stay', Hucknall retired Simply Red. The group re-emerged with the new album 'Big Love' in 2015. It peaked at #4 in the UK.


spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

116 ONE DIRECTION
117 CAROLE KING
118 R. KELLY
119 EMELI SANDE`
120 QUINCY JONES
121 LADY GAGA
122 ELVIS COSTELLO
123 RAY CHARLES
124 ED SHEERAN
125 NATALIE COLE
126 SMOKEY ROBINSON
127 KANYE WEST
128 ELVIS PRESLEY
129 ERIC BENET
130 SAM SMITH
131 JAMES TAYLOR
132 STEELY DAN
133 IKE & TINA TURNER
134 DES’REE
135 ACE OF BASE
136 VAN MORRISON
137 SAM COOKE
138 THE DOORS
139 AMY WINEHOUSE
140 PHARRELL WILLIAMS
141 GEORGE BENSON
142 MINNIE RIPERTON
143 VILLAGE PEOPLE
144 CURTIS MAYFIELD
145 FOREIGNER
146 EURYTHMICS
147 TOTO
148 BARRY WHITE
149 CARL RISELEY
150 TONI BRAXTON
151 NEIL DIAMOND
152 HALL & OATES
153 LUTHER VANDROSS
154 ERIC CLAPTON
155 THE O’JAYS
156 RUMER
157 SLY & THE FAMILY STONE
158 LITTLE RICHARD
159 HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES
160 CHRIS ISAAK
161 MICHAEL McDONALD
162 GLORIA GAYNOR
163 TWENTY ONE PILOTS
164 BEN E. KING
165 MEAT LOAF
166 JAMES REYNE
167 JOAN ARMATRADING
168 SADE
169 A-HA
170 GLEN CAMPBELL
171 DIRE STRAITS
172 COLD CHISEL
173 LINDA RONSTADT
174 ANTHONY CALLEA
175 LISA STANSFIELD
176 EN VOGUE
177 MICHAEL BUBLE`
178 TRACY CHAPMAN
179 DRAGON
180 OLETA ADAMS
181 LITTLE RIVER BAND
182 SOPHIE ELLIS – BEXTOR
183 THE RONETTES
184 CERRONE
185 MODELS
186 SCISSOR SISTERS
187 DARREN HAYES
188 PETULA CLARK
189 MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS
190 LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY
191 ART GARFUNKEL
192 THE REELS
193 JANIS IAN
194 JOHN PAUL YOUNG
195 S CLUB 7
196 CHARLIE PUTH
197 THE MARVELETTES
198 ICEHOUSE
199 LEO SAYER
200 LIZA MINNELLI