200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #134: DES'REE. Continues tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte`

mix-tapes on Spotify

A new playlist has been added to spotify, featuring a sample of recordings from each of the:

The Caffé Latté

200

FAVOURITE

MUSIC ACTS

#134 

DES’REE

In the 1990s, Des'ree was an exponent of British soul. The English singer was born Des'ree Weeks in 1968 of West Indian parentage. Her music is a blend of calypso, pop, reggae, adult contemporary and neo-soul.  

Her 1st hit was "Feel So High" in 1992. The single charted in Britain, Europe and Australia. It would be released in America 3 years later. The song was a track on her debut album 'Mind Adventures'. She later charted with"Delicate", a duet recorded with Terence Trent D'Arby.

Follow-up "I Ain't Movin'" featured the global hit "You Gotta Be". In 1994-5, the disc peaked at #5 in America and made the Top 10 in Australia. It eventually did the same in the UK as a re-issue in 1999.

She recorded the lush ballad "I'm Kissing You" for the 1997 film version of 'Romeo + Juliet'.1998 saw Des'ree back in the Top 10 around the globe with the catchy "Life". Her most recent album was issued in 2003. Entitled 'Dream Soldier', it contained the singles "It's Okay" and "Why?".

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

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

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 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #101: WIND BENEATH MY WINGS. 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.

#101

WIND BENEATH MY WINGS

“…I would be nothing

without you...”

"Wind Beneath My Wings" was written by Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley in 1982. The latter contributed the lyrics. That year, Roger Whitaker recorded the original version. 

Other interpretations followed, by the likes of Sheena Easton, Lou Rawls, Colleen Hewett, Gladys Knight & The Pips (entitled "Hero") and B.J. Thomas. 

Marc Shaiman, Bette Midler's regular arranger, was acting as music supervisor on the singer's film project 'Beaches'. He suggested Midler cover the song for the movie. In 1989, the film became a hit and propelled the ballad to #1 in America and Australia. It peaked at #5 in the UK.

The lyrics recognize the support and inspiration offered by a person behind the achievements of another. In the film, Midler's character dedicates it to her lifelong friend portrayed by Barbara Hershey. Of all the versions, Midler's is easily the most famous. It has been used in many contexts: from weddings, funerals and other celebrations.

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:us3er:alanrosscaffelatte

200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #135: ACE OF BASE. Continues tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte`

mix-tapes on Spotify

A new playlist has been added to spotify, featuring a sample of recordings from each of the:

The Caffé Latté

200

FAVOURITE

MUSIC ACTS

#135 

ACE OF BASE

Jonas "Joker" Berggren began songwriting with Ulf "Buddha" Ekberg and, once they invited the former's sisters Jenny and Malin ("Linn") to join as vocalists in 1990, Ace Of Base was formed.  

1992 saw the issue of the Swedish act's debut single "Wheel Of Fortune". Follow-up "All That She Wants" would eventually top charts in Britain, Canada and Australia. The track peaked at #2 in America and Europe. "Happy Nation", the title track from the group's debut album, was a major hit in Europe.

In 1993, "The Sign" was an even bigger hit, going to #1 in America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and parts of Europe. It was a #2 hit in the UK. The group received 3 Grammy Award nominations, including Best New Artist. 

By the release of 'Flowers' ('Cruel Summer' in some territories) in 1998, cracks were starting to emerge, with Jenny assuming a larger role as lead singer. 2002's 'Da Capo' was the final studio album to feature the original line-up. In 2007, it was announced that Linn was no longer a member of the group.

Ace Of Base continued on as a trio until 2009 when Jenny quit to go solo. The remaining 2 male members recruited new singers to replace the 2 sisters and adopted the name Ace.of.Base. This configuration released 'The Golden Ratio' in 2010.

Jonas and Ulf revealed in 2014 that the 2 replacement singers were no longer in the group. 'Hidden Gems', a collection of B-sides and demos, was unleashed in 2015. This remains the most recent release from Ace Of Base.

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

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

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: #102: TEARS IN HEAVEN. 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.

#102

TEARS IN HEAVEN

“…Would you know my name,

if I saw you in heaven?

Would you be the same

if I saw you in heaven?...”

Every parent dreads the thought of losing a child. Tragedy inspired the writing of Eric Clapton's moving track "Tears In Heaven". The guitarist / singer / songwriter wrote the track with Will Jennings, following the death of the former's son Conor. In 1994, the 4 year old fell from an open window in a New York apartment.

The single won several awards, including Record and Song of the Year. It was featured in the motion picture 'Rush'. The song topped the charts in Brazil, Argentina, Japan, Canada and New Zealand. In the US, it peaked at #2 and made #5 in Britain.

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:us3er:alanrosscaffelatte

200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #136: VAN MORRISON. Continues tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte`

mix-tapes on Spotify

A new playlist has been added to spotify, featuring a sample of recordings from each of the:

The Caffé Latté

200

FAVOURITE

MUSIC ACTS

#136 

VAN MORRISON

Irish singer / songwriter Van Morrison was born George Ivan Morrison in 1945. His recorded output has covered genres such as Celtic folk, R&B, rock, jazz and blues. 

He quit school at the age of 15 to join a band. In 1963, he formed his own group, Them. The band released some rock staples that include "Gloria", "Here Comes The Night" and "Baby Please Don't Go". Morrison quit the group and music in 1966. 

Back in Belfast, Them producer Bert Berns persuaded him to cut some solo material in the U.S.A. These sessions produced his signature song "Brown Eyed Girl". The single reached the American Top 10 in 1967. 

Berns died later that year. Morrison was free now to sign with Atlantic Records. He recorded his lauded 1968 LP 'Astral Weeks'. 1970's 'Moondance' fared even better. The single "Domino" returned Morrison to the US Top 10. 

Over subsequent decades, he has maintained his reputation for quality recordings. Key songs include "And It Stoned Me", "Into The Mystic", "Crazy Love", "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)", "Bright Side Of The Road", "Wild Night", "Cleanin' Windows" and "Have I Told You Lately". Performers as varied as John Mellencamp, Rod Stewart, Dexy's Midnight Runners, The Doors and Meshell Ndegeocello have covered his songs. Morrison's most recent album release was the 2016 album 'Keep Me Singing'.

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

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

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: #103: BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER. 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.

#103

BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER

“…When darkness comes,

& pain is all around,

like a bridge over troubled water,

I will lay me down...”

After all the upheaval of the 1960s, Simon & Garfunkel offered solace at the dawn of a new decade with "Bridge Over Troubled Water". At the start of the 1970s, there was much hope that this next era would be different and better. 

Paul Simon's lyrics can be appreciated from this historical perspective, but it can also be seen in the context of a basic need in all humans. There is great comfort in having a friend to turn to for support during trying times.

This was the title track from the duo's 1970 opus 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. The single reached #1 in America, Britain, Canada, France and New Zealand.

Remakes have been recorded by a rage of artists including Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley and Anthony Callea. In 2017, a charity single for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire in London was issued featuring the likes of Brian May, Nile Rodgers, Pete Townshend, Louis Tomlinson, Paloma Faith and Roger Daltrey. This version topped the UK chart.

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:us3er:alanrosscaffelatte