200 MOST ESSENTIAL DUETS. This instalment: #160-151. Continues tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte` presents…

THE 200 ALL-TIME MOST

 

ESSENTIAL DUETS

This countdown looks back on decades of duets, where 2 acts combine on a song.

To be eligible, the acts involved contribute close to equal roles as lead vocalists rather than featured or guest vocals. The collaborations must be by acts that do not usually record together as regular duos (eg. Hall & Oates, Everly Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel and Wham!).

160

TONIGHT

DAVID BOWIE & TINA TURNER

The original version of "Tonight" was on a 1977 album by Iggy Pop entitled 'Lust For Life'. David Bowie co-wrote it with the performer. The remake teamed Bowie with Tina Turner for the title track of his 1984 album.

159

PARTY PEOPLE

NELLY & FERGIE

In 2008, Nelly and Fergie dropped their duet "Party People". It was included on the former's 'Brass Knuckles' album and the Deluxe Edition of her 'The Duchess'. The single charted around the world.

158

THAT LOVIN' YOU FEELIN' AGAIN

ROY ORBISON & EMMYLOU HARRIS

Roy Orbison co-wrote "That Lovin' You Feelin' Again", a duet he recorded with Emmylou Harris from the 1980 'Roadie' film soundtrack. Their recording won a Grammy Award.

157

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

CELINE DION & PEABO BRYSON

The Disney classic 'Beauty and the Beast' boasted the popular title song performed by Canadian performer Celine Dion and R&B vocalist Peabo Bryson. Released as a single in 1991, the Oscar-winning song went Top 10 in America and the UK.

156

DISRESPECTFUL

CHAKA KHAN & MARY J. BLIGE

Chaka Khan  and Mary J. Blige combined their vocal might on the powerhouse duet "Disrespectful", featured on the former's 2007 'Funk This' album. The duet made #1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart.

155

ON A SLOW BOAT TO CHINA

BETTE MIDLER & BARRY MANILOW

Bette Midler and Barry Manilow kick-started their respective careers working in gay bathhouses. He went on to produce some albums for her, Decades later, the 2 re-united on disc for Midler's Rosemary Clooney tribute album in 2003. Together, they recorded a cover of "On A Slow Boat To China", with their tongues firmly in cheek.

154

ALL OF YOU

DIANA ROSS & JULIO IGLESIAS

Spanish singing legend Julio Iglesias met the former Supreme Diana Ross on "All Of You", a romantic duet that was released as a single in 1984. The song was included on his '1100 Bel Air Place' and her 'Swept Away' album. In Spain, the single was a #1 hit. It also reached the Top 20 in the USA, New Zealand, Canada, Australia and various other European countries.

153

I'M YOUR PUPPET

ELTON JOHN & PAUL YOUNG

Cousins James & Bobby Purify scored the original hit version of "I'm Your Puppet" in 1966. Among the remakes was a duet by Elton John and Paul Young, cut for the former's 1993 'Duets' album.

152

THAT'S HOW IT IS (SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE)

MARVIN GAYE & TAMMI TERRELL

The chemistry between Motown's Marvin Gaye and frequent duet partner Tammi Terrell is evident on "That's How It Is (Since You've Been Gone)". The track was included on their 2nd joint studio album 'You're All I Need", issued in 1968.

151

COME YE DISCONSOLATE

ROBERTA FLACK & DONNY HATHAWAY

"Come Ye Disconsolate" is a gospel execution from 2 of the best ever voices in the soul genre: Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. The 2 blend with unprecedented precision. It was included on their 1972 self-titled duet album. A 2nd LP was left incomplete following Hathaway's untimely death.