1200-1176 - Great Vocals
1200. PEOPLE WILL SAY WE’RE IN LOVE “Oklahoma” (1955)
Vocalist: Gordon MacRae / Shirley Jones
Writer/Composer: Richard Rodgers / Oscar Hammerstein II (1943)
A great combo of two great voices in uncertain and flirtacious love.
1199. ALL AROUND THE WORLD (1990)
Vocalist: Lisa Stansfield
Writer/Composer: Lisa Stansfield / Ian Devaney / Andy Morris (1989)
Her performance of this infectious pop and dance vocal won a 1990 Grammy.
1198. LOVE POTION # 9 (1959)
Vocalist: The Clovers (Harold Winley lead)
Writer/Composer: Jerry Lieber / Mike Stoller (1959)
One of the great doo-wop classics with good voices, and great storytelling.
1197. CATTLE CALL (1955)
Vocalist: Eddy Arnold
Writer/Composer: Tex Owens (1934)
This country and pop singer brought falsetto to the masses, redefining country singing.
1196. THAT’S AMORE “The Caddy” (1953)
Vocalist: Dean Martin
Writer/Composer: Harry Warren / Jack Brooks (1953)
Delightful, beautiful, joyful, could love be any happier?
1195. WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE (1987)
Vocalist: Bon Jovi
Writer/Composer: Jon Bon Jovi / Ritchie Sambora (1986)
From the beginning acoustic guitar hook, he wins us over as a renegade outlaw.
1194. THEME FROM HARRY’S GAME (1982)
Vocalist: Clannad (lead singer Maire (Moya) Brennan)
Writer/Composer: Paul Brennan / Ciaran Brennan (1982)
From Ireland again comes Clannad, mostly composed by the gifted Brennans, and their 3rd entry on our list. This Celtic / New Age classic was a huge hit in he U.K., and it speaks to the musical sound that is unlike any other. Maire’s ethereal sound is mystifying and she make this piece her own with her lush lyrical sound and stunninly beautiful voice. She delivers this time in Gaelic Irish since this was the theme for an Irish TV series, instead of the Scottish suggestion by the series producer. Jaw-Dropping in its beauty…Simply Rapturous!
1193. LOVER PLEASE (1962)
Vocalist: Clyde McPhatter
Writer/Composer: Billy Swan (1960)
One of the original Drifters and Dominos, mastering doo-wop, soul and R&B.
1192. LIZZIE AND THE RAIN MAN (1975)
Vocalist: Tanya Tucker
Writer/Composer: Kenny O’dell / Larry Henley (1972)
Her earthy voice and delivery is legendary in country / folk music. Wonderful!
1191. BECAUSE YOU’RE MINE “Because You’re Mine” (1952)
Vocalist: Mario Lanza (Alfred Arnoldo Cocozza) / RCA Victor Symphony Orch. / Jeff Alexander Choir
Writer/Composer: Nicholas Brodsky / Sammy Cahn (1952)
The record spent a half year in the top 40, sung by Lanza in a comic, romantic film, in his beautiful, rich powerful Opera style—it was one of the best-selling records of the year. Perhaps by making films he chose the right vehicle to advance Classical Music and Opera to the masses worldwide. With his 3rd entry on our list. he displays stunning control of his tenor vocals, not selling out as some have opined, but selling into theater and performing Pop standards…as they had never been presented before…A Wonderful Experience…Superlative!
1190. LIKE A TATTOO (1992)
Vocalist: Sade
Writer/Composer: Sade Adu / Andrew Hale / Stuart Matthewman
(1992) Has this smooth ecstatic jazz offering with hints of soul ever sounded better?
1189. IT’S A HEARTACHE (1978)
Vocalist: Bonnie Tyler
Writer/Composer: Ronnie Scott / Steve Wolfe (1977)
A perfect example of a female course or raspy voice delivering a desperate message.
1188. SHE’S GONE (1976)
Vocalist: Hall & Oates (Daryl & John)
Writer/Composer: Daryl Hall / John Oates (1976)
One of the greatest vocal performances from this sensational duo who dominated the 1970s and 1980’s.
1187. SLOOP JOHN B. (1968)
Vocalist: The Beach Boys (lead Brian Wilson / Mike Love)
Writer/Composer: Traditional Nassau, Bahamas Folk song (1916) / Adaptation by Brian Wilson (1966)
This astounding song from the stellar album, Pet Sounds, is now a classic, for its harmonic vocals to its minimal instrumentation. It promptly went gold amidst the peak of the British Invasion in music, firmly imbedding the Beach Boys as the American answer to the Beatles. Never has Folk / Rock sounded better, with their 5th entry on our list. In this offering Brian Wilson excelled in his creativity, and this song soared. The unity of their voices is full of a cappella harmony, mirthful playfulness, and stunning happiness…Rousing and Captivating!
Link # 1 Original recording in 1968. Link # 2 Live in concert in 1968.
1185. BEAT IT (1982)
Vocalist: Michael Jackson
Writer/Composer: Michael Jackson (1982)
Incredible pop rock performance, an anthem for anti-violence. Van Halen guitar solo.
1184. SONG TO THE SIREN (1984)
Vocalist: This Mortal Coil (Elizabeth Frazier)
Writer/Composer: Tim Buckley / Larry Beckett (1970)
An astonishing other world folk song experience from Frazier’s mystical vocal delivery.
1183. WHERE IS LOVE “Oliver!” (1968)
Vocalist: Mark Lester
Writer/Composer: Lionel Bart (1960)
Carol Reed’s direction of 10 year-old actor Mark Lester bring the viewers to near tears in this1968 Oscar winning musical. Loneliness and despair, never so beautiful!
1182. THERE BUT FOR FORTUNE (1964)
Vocalist: Joan Baez
Writer/Composer: Phil Ochs (1964)
Her 6th entry on our list is a wonderful reminder of how astonishingly beautiful her angelic pipes were in the early 1960s. It seemed she could do no wrong if she just opened her mouth and let that soaring, quivering, soprano vocal just drift effortlessly into the celestial heavens. As a Folk purist tempered with activism, she had no equal in those days, and her sincere approach to the social changes that really mattered, whether you agreed with her choice of songs or not, is yours to debate. Her heartfelt delivery is now over 60 years old…Purely Mesmerizing!
1181. ALL I KNOW (1973)
Vocalist: Art Garfunkel
Writer/Composer: Jimmy Webb (1973)
His voice reaches deep into the inner sanctum and conscience of true love.
1180. A KISS TO BUILD A DREAM ON (1951)
Vocalist: Louis Armstrong
Writer/Composer: Bert Kalmer / Oscar Hammerstein II / Harry Ruby (1935)
A super sweet and gentle song from the gravelly voiced King of Jazz.
1179. KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF (1986)
Vocalist: The Georgia Satellites (Dan Baird)
Writer/Composer: Dan Baird (1986)
No huggy, no kissy, never sounded so good as in this southern rock / boogie classic.
1178. CROSS OVER THE BRIDGE (1954)
Vocalist: Patti Page
Writer/Composer: Bennie Benjamin / George David Weiss (1954)
Magnificent delivery by overdubbing in harmony with her own voice..in layers.
1177. SNAP YOUR FINGERS (1962)
Vocalist: Joe Henderson
Writer/Composer: Grady Martin / Alex Zanetis (1962)
Amazing baritone jazz delivery about unconditional devotion, with soul and R & B.
1176. NEON MOON
Vocalist: Brook and Dunn
Writer/Composer:
