200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #191:ART GARFUNKEL. Continues tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte`

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A new playlist has been added to spotify, featuring:

The  Caffé Latté

200 FAVOURITE MUSIC ACTS

#191

ART GARFUNKEL

Part of the timeless quality of the Simon & Garfunkel catalogue is the beauty of Art Garfunkel's vocal skill. Its angelic purity delivered the definitive version of the duo's classics, including "America", "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "The Boxer". 

When the duo broke up after the success of the epic album 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' in 1970, Garfunkel concentrated his efforts on acting. In 1973, he launched a solo singing career. Among the highlight recordings are: "Bright Eyes", "I Only Have Eyes For You" (both UK #1 singles), "All I Know" and "I Shall Sing".

Despite a stormy relationship with Simon, Garfunkel has re-united sporadically over the decades, revisiting the duo's classics in a live setting while both maintain contemporaneous solo careers.

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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: #147- ONE SWEET DAY.
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.

#147

ONE SWEET DAY

“…Assumed you’d always be there,

I took your presence for granted.

But I always cared,

And I miss the love we shared...”

Boyz II Men's collaboration with Mariah Carey on "One Sweet Day" was conceived when the 2 acts combined 2 incomplete song ideas. Both parties were inspired by grief. 

The duet was unleashed in 1995. It was included on Carey's 'Daydream' album. The single was a worldwide smash. In America, it ruled over the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-breaking 16 weeks.

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:

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spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #192: THE REELS. Continues tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte`

mix-tapes on Spotify

A new playlist has been added to spotify, featuring:

The  Caffé Latté

200 FAVOURITE MUSIC ACTS

#192

THE REELS

This underrated Australian group formed in 1976. The Reels served a series of interesting singles, always avoiding the temptation of repeating itself. These releases included "Love Will Find A Way", "After The News", "Happiness" and "Shout And Deliver". Critically, the band's highlight is the sublime "Quasimodo's Dream" from 1981. The group also re-invented classic tracks such as "According To My Heart" (Jim Reeves), "This Guy's In Love With You" (Herb Alpert) and "Bad Moon Rising" (Creedence Clearwater Revival). Today, the group revolves around lead singer / songwriter Dave Mason.

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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: #148- BORN TO FIGHT.
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.

#148

BORN TO FIGHT

“…This one’s

not for sale...”

Tracy Chapman's defiant track "Born To Fight" was featured on her 1989 album 'Crossroads'. The American singer/ songwriter penned the song. Its lyrics express a determination to remain true to herself, despite forces pressuring her to conform.

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:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #193 JANIS IAN. Continues tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte`

mix-tapes on Spotify

A new playlist has been added to spotify, featuring:

The  Caffé Latté

200 FAVOURITE MUSIC ACTS

#193

JANIS IAN

American singer / songwriter Janis Ian was born in 1951. Her arrival on the music scene swiftly attracted controversy due to the taboo theme of interracial romance dealt with on her self-penned single "Society's Child". It was all too much for the young musician to deal with and Ian quit music at the age of 20. Fortunately, she re-emerged in 1974 with new material. "Jesse", recorded by Roberta Flack, charted. "At Seventeen" became a major hit and earned her Ian a Grammy Award. In 1979, she collaborated with Giorgio Moroder on the hit "Fly Too High". Now out as a lesbian performer, Ian continues to write and tour.

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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: #149- CASUAL CONVERSATIONS.
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.

#149

CASUAL CONVERSATIONS

“…No matter what I say, 

you ignore me anyway.

I might as well 

talk in my sleep...”

"Casual Conversations" captures a relationship that has reached its conclusion. Any dialogue between the couple has been reduced to mere small talk. 

The song was written by Rick Davies of the band Supertramp. It was recorded for the British group's 1979 hit album 'Breakfast In America'.

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:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #194 JOHN PAUL YOUNG. Continues tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte`

mix-tapes on Spotify

A new playlist has been added to spotify, featuring:

The  Caffé Latté

200 FAVOURITE MUSIC ACTS

#194

JOHN PAUL YOUNG

John Paul Young was born in 1953. His family migrated from Scotland to make a new home in Australia. Years later, the youthful performer joined the local cast of the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar". He was asked to record a song written by Harry Vanda & George Young of The Easybeats. The song "Pasadena" became a watershed for J.P.Y. His association with the prolific songwriting / production duo spawned hits such as "Yesterday's Hero", "I Hate The Music" and "The Love Game". The disco-flavoured "Standing In The Rain" widened his international audience. In 1977, the upbeat "Love Is In The Air" became a major disco hit, going Top 10 in Australia, Europe, America, Britain and South Africa.

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195 S CLUB 7

196 CHARLIE PUTH

197 THE MARVELETTES

198 ICEHOUSE

199 LEO SAYER

200 LIZA MINNELLI

BEFORE THE HIT VERSION. This post: LXXVII-  LITTLE RED ROOSTER. Continues: next week.

BEFORE IT WAS A HIT SONG…

These songs are well known but you may not know about the earlier attempts to score a hit record with prior versions of the same song.

Little Red Rooster

 

The Rolling Stones were keen afficionados of the blues. They recorded "Little Red Rooster" in 1964. The single reached #1 in Britain, a rare achievement for a blues recording. American musician / songwriter Willie Dixon wrote the song. The Stones recorded the risque track at the legendary Chess Studios with the composer present.

Originally entitled "The Red Rooster", the song was initially recorded by bluesman Howlin' Wolf. His version was issued in 1961. The song was covered 2 years later by Sam Cooke and Billy Preston.

Each new song will be added to the spotify playlist named: ‘Before It Was A Hit Song’.  You can check out the previous earlier / original versions of the hit songs you know and love.

The playlist and other Caffe` Latte` selections can be found at:

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spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

TOP 100 1-HIT WONDERS. A new countdown starts with #100-91. Continues next week.

Caffé Latté presents a tribute to the  All-Time 100

MOST ESSENTIAL

ONE HIT WONDERS

This group of musical acts is responsible for only 1 major hit in Britain & /or America spans the decades. After that initial taste of chart success, a significant  follow-up eluded them.

Hear the songs on spotify:

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100

MAJOR TOM

Peter Schilling (1983) 

German singer/ songwriter was inspired by Major Tom character in David Bowie's "Space Oddity" for this US Top 15 hit.
 

99

PRECIOUS TO ME

Phil Seymour (1981)

American musician & forner member of Dwight Tilley Band. This solo hit peaked at #22 in America.

 

98

COOL JERK

The Capitols (1966)

R&B vocal trio reached #7 on the American Hot 100.

 

97

GET USED TO IT

Roger Voudouris (1979)

American soloist/ guitarist co-wrote this #21 US hit with producer Michael Omartian.

96

DOOP

Doop (1994) 

This Dutch dance track fused techno with the Charleston and reached #1 in Britain.

95

I KNOW WHAT BOYS LIKE

The Waitresses (1981)

American group that made the Australian Top 20 with this single.

94

THE FUTURE'S SO BRIGHT, I GOTTA WEAR SHADES

Timbuk 3 (1986) 

Texan group with an alternative, country & folk hybrid sound. Peaked at #19 in USA and 21 in UK.

93

THE WARRIOR

Scandal featuring Patty Smyth (1984)

Scandal scored a #7 hit in America with this. Lead singer Patty Smyth later married John McEnroe. She sang on a single by The Hooters and charted with Don Henley on 1992 duet "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough".

92

HERE'S JOHNNY

Hocus Pocus (1995) 

A European hit & Australian #1 single inspired by Jack Nicholson's catchphrase from the film 'The Shining'. 

 

91

BABY IT'S YOU

Promises (1978)

Canadian trio of siblings enjoyed major success with this single in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

CAFFE` LATTE`

TOP 10 ALBUMS – MAY 2017

1  EUROVISION SONG CONTEST KYIV 2017 

Various Artists      1 2

2 STARBOY The Weeknd      2 6

3 POLLINATOR Blondie      NEW 

4 ERIC BENET Eric Benet      RE-ENTRY - 4

5 STRENGTH OF A WOMAN Mary J. Blige      NEW

6 25 Adele      5 4

7 DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS Bruno Mars      3 2

8 UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX Bruno Mars     4 2

9 DIVIDE Ed Sheeran      6 3

10 24K MAGIC Bruno Mars      7 7