2015 YEAR IN REVIEW: LEST WE FORGET (MUSIC).
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The Caffe` Latte`

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

2015

Lest We Forget (Music)

B.B. KING

Legendary guitarist who influenced electric blues in the 1950s.

BEN E. KING

Lead singer with The Drifters before going solo. Sang “Save The Last Dance For Me”, “There Goes MY Baby”, “Stand By Me” & “Spanish Harlem”.

ALLEN TOUSSAINT

Influenced the sound of soul in New Orleans.

JAMES HORNER

Film composer for films, including ‘Titanic’ & ‘Braveheart’.

SCOTT WEILAND

Lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots & Velvet Revolver.

CHRIS SQUIRE

Bassist & founding member of Yes.

PERCY SLEDGE

R&B singer (“When A Man Loves A Woman”).

CYNTHIA ROBINSON

Member of Sly & The Family Stone.

ERROLL BROWN

Lead singer of Hot Chocolate (“You Sexy Thing”).

LOUIS JOHNSON

Member of The Brothers Johnson (“Stomp”) and contributed to albums ‘Thriller’ & ‘Bad’.

LESLEY GORE

60s pop singer (“It’s My Party” & “You Don’t Own Me”).

DEMIS ROUSSOS

International chart sensation from Greece.

LYNN ANDERSON

Country singer; had a hit with “Rose Garden” in 1970s.

MIKE PORCARO

Member of Toto; played on hits “Africa” & “Rosanna”.

STEVE STRANGE

Singer with Visage (“Fade To Grey”).

KIM FOWLEY

Pivotal in the career of group The Runaways which included Joan Jett.

CYNTHIA LENNON

John Lennon’s first wife & mother of Julian Lennon, she wrote books about the former Beatle.

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The Caffe` Latte`

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

2015

Lest We Forget

 

STEVIE WRIGHT

Back in the 1960s, The Easybeats became a homegrown major act on the Australian music scene. The group took its music beyond our borders. In 1966-7, the band charted internationally; reaching #1 in Australia and the Netherlands, #6 in the UK and #16 in the USA. David Bowie covered the song on his 1973 album 'Pin Ups'. Bruce Springsteen performed the song live with his E Street Band in 2014 while touring Australia. The group's lead vocalist was Stevie Wright who lent his voice to hits such as "Sorry", "She's So Fine", "Wedding Ring" and "Come And See Her". He was aged 16 when the band formed.

The band ceased working together in 1970. Harry Vanda and George Young went on to play a new role in shaping Australian music during the 1970s as songwriters/ producers. They created hits for AC/DC, John Paul Young and others. They formed the duo Flash & The Pan. 

Wright enjoyed a strong start to his solo career. His single "Evie" was an epic track running for over 11 minutes. Vanda & Young wrote and produced the hit. The single reached #1 in 1974.

Wright had a long battle with drugs and alcohol. Sadly, he passed away December 27, 2015. He was aged 68.

FRIDAY ON MY MIND:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnqxbdnzlhw

EVIE: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPveBD6WWXc

 

For more about The Easybeats & Stevie Wright: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhXIEqoohfs

TOP 100 SONGS OF 2015. This update: #60-56. The countdown continues tomorrow.

The Caffe` Latte`

TOP 100 SONGS OF

2015

#60 HERE WE GO AGAIN Cazzi Opeia

Swedish singer Cazzi Opeia dropped a remake of "Here We Go Again" with some tweaks to the original song's structure. Let's hope this track gets a go in 2016 around the globe.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21IxhJhoGMs&list=RD21IxhJhoGMs#t=0 

#59 PERFECT One Direction

1D go from strength to strength with this pop delight, offering swooning fans an insight into the pros & cons of dating them. The single shot to the Top 10 in the UK, USA, Australia, Europe, New Zealand and South Africa.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho32Oh6b4jc&list=RDHo32Oh6b4jc#t=0

      

#58 I AM YOURS The Makemakes

Vienna hosted 2015's ESC. Austria's entry this year was "I Am Yours", a well executed song but the performance at the final was distracting. Sadly, the fine song ended up attracting no points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duW-PsDbysg

    

#57 FIRST TIME Icona Pop

Electropop duo Icona Pop issued the 'Emergency' EP which contained the relatable track "First Time". It ought to be out as a single!

#56 START AGAIN Conrad Sewell

The Australian singer / songwriter Conrad Sewell kickstarted his chart run in 2015. Second single was the heartfelt track "Start Again" which topped the chart in his homeland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-OqF9qagNk

 

2015 YEAR IN REVIEW: THE FILMS.

The Caffe` Latte`

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

The Best Movies Of

2015

#1 HOLDING THE MAN

The Australian film is based on Timothy Conigrave's relationship with JJohn Caleo. The 2 met at school in Melbourne, fell in love and years later both discovered they were HIV+. The movie is funny, endearing and had me still crying days later. A must-see true story adapted from a must-read novel. 

#2 STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

 

Finally, the 7th instalment and the best movie in the 'Star Wars' franchise. It delivers from start to finish with no dull moments. Bring on Part VIII!

#3 SPECTRE

 

Wow! An action-packed new Bond film kept the franchise fresh and relevant. The question now is whether this will be Daniel Craig's final film as 007.

#4 THE MARTIAN

 

Matt Damon does an incredible job carrying the film almost single-handedly. It is a fascinating premise and makes science sexy. 

#5 THE 33

 

This film celebrates the story of the trapped Chilean miners and their dramatic rescue in 2010. Antonio Banderas and Lou Diamond Phillips star.

THE TOP 100 SONGS OF 2015. This update: #65-61. The countdown continues tomorrow.

The Caffe` Latte`

TOP 100 SONGS OF

2015

#65 TOM'S DINER Giorgio Moroder featuring Britney Spears

Master producer Giorgio Moroder finally delivered his best solo album in 2015. The legend had produced hits for the likes of Donna Summer, Blondie, Irene Cara and many others. The material was original with the exception of "Tom's Diner". Here, Britney Spears contributes lead vocals on the remake of the Suzanne Vega song from 1987.

   

 

#64 EX'S & OH'S Elle King

Mistaken use of apostrophes aside, American singer Elle King introduced herself to a pop audience with debut hit "Ex's & Oh's". The catchy Southern rock /pop track is catchy; coming across as a modern-day version of "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'". King reached the Top 10 in the USA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uLI6BnVh6w

      

#63 THIS SUMMER'S GONNA HURT LIKE A MOTHERF---ER Maroon 5

US group Maroon 5 extended its string of hit songs with a new summer anthem. It charted around the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa64gOwuIyE

    

#62 UNDER THE MAKEUP A-Ha

A-Ha had called it quits years ago, and so it was a delight to see the Norwegian trio return with a brand new album in 2015. "Under The Makeup" was a return to form for this underrated group. Forever remembered for 80s pop #1 "Take On Me", the trio have created some sonic gems since.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdD9F_WChSQ

#61 I WON'T TELL A SOUL Charlie Puth

Cute American singer songwriter Charlie Puth has been a dominant chart force throughout 2015. "I Won't Tell A Soul" is a track from his 'Some Type Of Love' EP. The song is delivered in a 1950s style, reminiscent of the doo wop / vocal groups. A full album is scheduled for 2016.

200 FAVE ALBUMS. This update: #102. This countdown 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.

#102

EXTENSION OF A MAN: 

DONNY HATHAWAY

 

 [1973] 

Donny Hathaway's magnum opus 'Extension of a Man' is aptly named. This is an album where the gifted and lauded vocalist takes his music into an array of directions. His starting point is R&B / soul but from there, Hathaway serves up tracks as different as "Valdez in the Country" and "Magdalena". Opening track "I Love The Lord, He Heard Me Cry Parts 1 & 2" is a lush orchestral piece arranged by Hathaway. He takes a soul love song to lofty heights with "Love, Love, Love" and "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know". If this album only had 1 track and that song was "Someday We'll All Be Free", it would suffice. Hathaway is at his best here: vocally and musically. This remains a pivotal civil rights watershed recording. Sadly, his career was cut short. He is far from a household name, but cited as an influence by many respected musicians. 'Extension of a Man' is Hathaway's 'What's Going On'. Highlight tracks: Someday We'll All Be Free; Love. Love, Love & I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know.

THE TOP 100 SONGS OF 2015. This update: #70-66. The countdown continues tomorrow.

The Caffe` Latte`

TOP 100 SONGS OF

2015

#70 BED OF STONE Asa

Nigerian- French singer/songwriter / producer Asa released her 3rd studio album in mid-2014. It was a stunning collection of songs. "Bed Of Stone" is its title track, It is a shame this talented artist is not better known outside France. 

#69 NO FIREWALL Mørland

Norwegian-born artist Kjetil Mørland is better known by just his surname. He has lived most of his existence in England. "No Firewall" was a solo single released following his Top 10 finish at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest. That duet, "A Monster Like Me", is also on this Top 100.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=182rPXuEqr0

    

#68 TRUE FAITH Sophie Ellis-Bextor

English singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor covered the New Order 1980s dance hit for the BBC's late 2014 'Sounds of the 80s' CD which featured today's pop stars remaking hits from that decade. 

#67 BUTTERFLY GIRL Duran Duran featuring John Frusciante

Duran Duran owed a good deal of its success during the Eighties to the band's video clips being on heavy rotation on MTV. In 2015, the British group dropped its best album; ever. 'Paper Gods' contains the track "Butterfly Girl" which features former member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers John Frusciante on electric guitar. 

#66 ONE LIFE Helena Paparizou

Greek- Swedish singer Helena Paparizou brought victory to Greece at the ESC with the song "You're My Number One" in 2005."One Life" is the title track from her 2014 English language album.