RETRO CLASSICS

Elton John is touring Australia at the moment, with a show in Melbourne this coming Sunday, so as he is one of the Caffe` Latte` favourite artists, this is Part 1 of a 2-week special edition of Elton memories...

• POP- 

"Are You Ready For Love"

When Philadelphia was the soul epicentre in the early 70s, Elton collaborated with Thom Bell, creating some great music. This track features the Spinners on backup vocals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jw7MtB2fm0&playnext=1&list=PLE59D15EE92DB22E9&feature=results_video

"I Heard it Through the Grapevine"

Elton pays tribute to Motown with this cover of the Marvin Gaye classic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vvk5_40YDU

"Song for Guy" 

Beautiful music here, with minimal lyrics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D05FTAbNDAY

R&B

Elton battles it out with R&B powerhouse Millie Jackson on "Act of War"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQId1AAMT7U

 Smash or... Trash? 
"Johnny B Goode"  
Just to show that even great artists can suffer from poor judgement, here is Elton tackling a discofied version of the Chuck Berry classic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndbBNslpBf8

RETRO CLASSICS

Let's look back on some songs from the past...

• POP-

 

"Magic Nights" - Village People

As the 70s came to an end, the Village People starred in their own film, 'Can't Stop the Music'. Here's an underrated song from its soundtrack:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_khn1_16kE

"Cloudbusting" - Kate Bush

Stunning video starring Donald Sutherland for a quirky Kate Bush song from the mid-80s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pllRW9wETzw

• R&B

"I Need You Now" - Smokie Norful

Not that old a song, straight from the gospel genre. Beautiful vocals and lyrics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJpWjv7UGqE


Smash or... Trash? 
"That's Rock and Roll" - Shaun Cassidy
70s hit in Australia from teen idol Shaun Cassidy, son of actress Shirley Jones & stepbro of David Cassidy (the latter 2 from The Partridge Family TV series). 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7Emiv2DLNk

RETRO CLASSICS

• POP-

A Halloween-flavoured theme for this week's retro songs...

 

"Werewolves of London" - Warren Zevon

The now deceased Zevon sings his chart hit from the 1970s.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhSc8qVMjKM

 

"Ghostbusters" - Ray Parker Jr.

Ray Parker Jr sang this- the title song for the

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvkKX035484

• R&B

"Thriller" - Michael Jackson

The iconic video for the title track off his mega-selling album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RHy42olLFo

Smash or... Trash? 
"Drac's Back" - Andy Forray
A remix of an 80s hit in Australia from Andy Forray.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DujUPm0wAb4&feature=relmfu

RETRO CLASSICS

• POP-

Let's rewind with some musical memories...

 

"You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want" - Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson goes old school with this hit from early in his career.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo759np9-nM

 

"Tropical Loveland" - ABBA

ABBA were at the peak of their popularity in Australia in 1976. They scored no less than 6 #1 singles in 12 months (3 in a row). They recorded a TV special for the local version of 'Bandstand' while here. this special will be finally issued on DVD as part of the Deluxe Edition of their remastered CD 'ABBA' in November.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To5vxfXDpB0

• R&B

"Pride (A Deeper Love)" - Aretha Franklin

Aretha gets all funky with this dancefloor classic.. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RHy42olLFo

Smash or... Trash? 
"Beethoven Was Black" - Club Risque
While historians still argue the point (some claim the classical composer was of Moorish descent from his mother), this is a dance hit from 1996, and the man never sounded funkier!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGwfUEEL3DA

RETRO CLASSICS

• POP-

With James Bond turning 50, let's look back on some songs from the film franchise with Part 2 of a 2-week look back at 007 as we await the latest film in the series: Skyfall...

 

"The Look of Love" - Dusty Springfield

This great song was created by the great songwriting team of Burt Bacharach & Hal David for 'Casino Royale'. It received an Oscar nomination.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbaySb6HXqs

 

"Surrender" - K D Lang

This was used over the end credits of 'Tomorrow Never Dies', but in my opinion, is far better than the title song by Sheryl Crow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsbLcsQcU_g

• R&B

"Licence To Kill" - Gladys Knight

Bond films have boasted some of the best voices in popular music, ranging from Bassey to McCartney, Tina Turner, Madonna, Tom Jones, Alicia Keys and Adele. Gladys Knight was another great legend who sang for the  007 franchise. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx6A-_Ckk9I

Smash or... Trash? 
"Never Say Never Again" - Lani Hall
While not counted as an official Bond film, it marked the final 007 adventure with Sean Connery reprising his role. Not generally regarded as a memorable theme song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScsMhu6XYTo

Some might want to compare Hall's version to the one by Phyllis Hyman (much better if you ask me!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWKOhzkthKs

What do you think?

RETRO CLASSICS

• POP-

With James Bond turning 50, let's look back on some songs from the film franchise with Part 1 of a 2-week look back at 007 as we await the latest film in the series: Skyfall...

 

"Vivo di Diamanti" - Shirley Bassey

There have been great Bond songs over the years, especially the iconic titles sung by Shirley Bassey. Here she sings the theme song from 'Diamonds are Forever' as it was dubbed for Italian audiences over the opening credits by the Dame herself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpvRwox3t1s

 

"Thunderball" - Tom Jones

Tom Jones was at his coolest when he recorded the theme song for "Thunderball". Here, he is in black & white from the 1960s:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2noz5wLvT8k

• R&B

"Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" - Dionne Warwick

Before it was decided to have a song featuring the film's title in its lyrics, 'Thunderball' was meant to open with this song from Dionne Warwick. Shirley Bassey also recorded a version for the movie. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oREmbGD84Kw

Smash or... Trash? 
"The Living Daylights" - A-Ha
One person's meat is another's poison: see what you think of this flashback. 
It is, in my opinion, one of the weakest Bond songs. A pity too, as the Norwegian group was very talented. What do you think of it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx7K_F40N7w

MORE BOND - JAMES BOND RETRO NEXT WEEK FOR PART 2

RETRO CLASSICS

• POP-

Check out these songs from the past...

 

"Hungry Heart" - Bruce Springsteen

Often overlooked great upbeat song from the US rocker.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyJYNHBgiPg

 

 

"I Like it Both Ways" - Supernaut

Australian 70s group tackles bisexuality. Produced by pop music guru Molly Meldrum. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzDUcPfZoJ4&feature=related

• R&B

"See the Day" - Dee C. Lee

She came to fame as part of the Style Council before releasing this solo hit.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itog_E5pPkc&feature=related

Smash or... Trash? 
One person's meat is another's poison: see what you think of this flashback 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTXlpbJPTA4&feature=fvwrel

The Rah Band- Electric Fling (an obscure dance song from the 80s).

RETRO CLASSICS

POP-
Let's re-visit songs from the past...

 

"B.A.B.Y." - Rachel Sweet

Her career began when she was only 15. Among her hits was this single from the 1970s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HynmY4injZo

 

 

"Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray" - Patsy Cline

Here's a country classic where Patsy Cline shows today's wanna-bes how it's done!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb2oXxvvfMw&feature=related

• Here's great R&B classic:

"Free" - Deniece Williams

Great vocals from the woman who scored a major pop/ R&B hit with "Let's Hear it for the Boy".
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLvaNbmBbVA&feature=related

RETRO CLASSICS

POP-
Each week, rediscover some songs from the past...

 

"Cherry Bomb" - The Runaways

This female rock group gave us Joan Jett among other rock chicks.

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqEh8OBQfmY

 

"I Just Want to be Your Everything" - Andy Gibb

The Bee Gees' younger brother scored many Top 40 hits in his own right- with lots of help from his brothers Gibb. This one reached #1 in Australia.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJRNO16dFos

 
And they don't get much wackier than this one... "Star Trekkin'" - The Firm

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZS2-4-iUJ4

  R&B

• Here's great R&B classic:

"Superfly" - Curtis Mayfield

The very cool Curtis with a song from the blaxploitation 70s iconic film, 'Superfly'.
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAh_4s_-tas

RETRO CLASSICS

POP-
Each week, rediscover some songs from the past...

 

"Follow You, Follow Me" - Genesis

Phil Collins stepped out from behind the drums when his group's lead singer Peter Gabriel quit to pursue a solo career. This was from their album 'And Then There Were Three', featuring the remaining members poised for greater commercial success as a trio.

 

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRD49AFxJVI

 

"Suspicious Minds" - The Sports

The Sports were a great Australian pop/rock group during the late 70s-80s. This was one of their hit songs (not to be confused with the Elvis Presley song with the same title).

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUqd8vAM8PU

Here's a fun retro hit from Telex: "Twist a St Tropez"-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J49XpGTHExk

 R&B

• Here's great R&B classic:

"Rebirth of Slick (Cool like That)" - Digable Planets

Early rap/ hip hop/ R&B group with an underrated song. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM4kqL13jGM