1125-1101 - Great Vocals
1125. BILLS BILLS BILLS (1999)
Vocalist: Destiny’s Child
Writer/Composer: Kevin Burruss / Kabdi Briggs / Beyonce Knowles / Latoya Luckett / Kelly Rowland (1999)
Epic and flawless R & B harmony sounds from one of the most successful girl groups of all-time.
1124. NEVER MY LOVE (1967)
Vocalist: The Association
Writer/Composer: Don & Dick Addrisi (1967)
Beautiful pop sound with astounding smooth blended harmonies.
1123. ATAYPURA (1950)
Vocalist: Yma Sumac / Moises Vivanco music
Writer/Composer: Moises Vivanco (1950)
This astonishing Peruvian soprano of exotic multi-lingual songs could actually sing in more than 4 to 5 octaves, including baritone. Unique is her ability / agility in a vocal range that’s really the stuff that dreams are made of. Very few singers can match her vocal prowess and sustain the vibrato and the quivering notes that she displays here. She mostly recorded in the early 1950s in the days before artists could travel the world over, to maintain a fanbase and achieve record sales. She is unparalled in her exotic birdlike sounds…Sumptuous! Enchanting!
1122. IF (1971)
Vocalist: Bread (lead David Gates)
Writer/Composer: David Gates (1971)
A soft lilting delivery makes this beautiful love song exceptional singing by Gates.
1121. SIDE BY SIDE (1953)
Vocalist: Kay Starr
Writer / Composer: Harry M. Woods (1927)
Her distinctive unique style and delivery made her a pop sensation in the early 50s.
1120. WHO WILL BUY “Oliver!” (1968)
Vocalist: Mark Lester & Chorus
Writer/Composer: Lionel Bart (1964)
1119. BREAK IT TO ME GENTLY (1962)
Vocalist: Brenda Lee
Writer/Composer: Joe Sineca / Diane Lampert (1961)
Brenda delivers with gusto, passion and sincerity. A triumph in the early 60’s.
1118. TOM TRAUBURT’S BLUES / Waltzing Matilda (4 Sheets to the Wind)
Vocalist: Tom Waits
Writer/Composer: Tom Waits (1976)
The blues never sounded as raw, or desperate, and the delivery is jaw dropping.
1117. IT MUST BE HIM (1967)
Vocalist: Vikki Carr
Writer/Composer: Mack David / Gilbert Becaud / Maurice Vidalin (1966)
May be the greatest song of eager expectation for love ever delivered by a gifted pop singer.
1116. THE DREAMING FIELDS (2007)
Vocalist: Trisha Yearwood
Writer/Composer: Matraca Berg / Gary S. Harrison
1115. TOO MUCH OF NOTHING (1967)
Vocalist: Peter, Paul & Mary (lead Mary Travers)
Writer/Composer: Bob Dylan (1967)
They began as an American Folk trio in 1961, winning Grammys in ‘62 & ‘63, touring almost constantly during the British invasion. Call this song Folk, call it Rock, or call it pure Blues, it’s pure pleasure with Mary singing up front, with their amazing signature harmony. Her contralto voice carries the song with confidence, conviction and lively bravado, proving her vocal prowess, with their 4th entry listed. “Too much of nothin’ can turn a man into a liar / It can cause a man to sleep on nails / Another man to eat fire.” …Clever and Sensational!
Link # 1 Original recording in 1967 Link # 2 Live on the Smothers Bros Show in 1969
1114. LOSING MY MIND “Follies” (1985)
Vocalist: Barbara Cook
Writer/Composer:
1113. THE POWER OF LOVE (1993)
Vocalist: Celine Dion
Writer/Composer: Gunther Mende / Candy DeRouge / Jennifer Rush / Mary Susan Applegate (1983)
Kudos to Laura Branigan but Celine sends this offering into the stratosphere with her power and passion.
1112. CHE GELIDA MANINA “La Boheme” (1961)
Vocalist: Richard Tucker (with Rome Opera Orchestra / Eric Lansdorf cond.)
Writer/Composer: Giacomo Puccini (1896)
He brings it on here, the 2nd entry for this song, and as Jan Peece’s brother, he holds his own. He was considered one of the finest of mid- 20th century tenors, with a 30-year career, all with the Metropolitan Opera as well as being a great Jewish cantor. With Toscanini’s help he also performed the first complete Opera ever broadcast on national television. His impeccable diction was amazing in power with a distinct “ringing” timbre, yet he was able to convey great sensitivity in his performances. This is among his best…Truly Epic!
1111. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN (1970)
Vocalist: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (featuring Jerry Garcia pedal steel guitar)
Writer/Composer: Graham Nash (1968)
This Folk Rock song was composed while Nash was still a member of the Hollies, but they passed on it. The timing was now right—it was a great message tune with a beautiful, understated presentation with a “Country-flavored delivery.” With their 4th entry on our list, Graham leads the way with a smooth, sincere plea in his final chorus, “Don’t you ever ask them why / If they told you, you would cry / So just look at them and sigh / And know they love you.” Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, adds a mourning steel guitar…A Timeless, Enduring Classic!
Link # 1 Original recording 1970. Link # 2 Live in 1985.
1110. BARTENDER (2007)
Vocalist: Dave Matthews (with Tim Reynolds)
Writer/Composer: Dave Matthews (2001)
Heart-wrenching emotions, as if you were being served by God as your bartender.
1109. I’VE GOT MY LOVE TO KEEP ME WARM “On the Avenue” 1958)
Vocalist: Ella Fitzgerald
Writer/Composer: Irving Berlin (1937)
No one could master or deliver a jazz standard like Ella.
1108. THE END (1958)
Vocalist: Earl Grant
Writer/Composer: Sid Jacobson / Jimmy Krondes (1958)
Beautiful rendition of how a love song is supposed to sound, crystal clear.
1107. THE LAST TIME I SAW HER FACE (1968)
Vocalist: Gordon Lightfoot
Writer/Composer: Gordon Lightfoot (1968)
1106. HEARD IT IN A LOVE SONG
Vocalist: Marshall Tucker Band
Writer/Composer:
1105. YOUR MOVE / I’VE SEEN ALL GOOD PEOPLE (1971)
Vocalist: Yes (lead Jon Anderson)
Writer/Composer: Jon Anderson / Chris Squire (1971)
As progressive rock, Jon Anderson leads in the harmonies in this great offering.
1104. KISSES SWEETER THAN WINE (1957)
Vocalist: Jimmie Rodgers
Writer/Composer: Pete Seeger / Lee Hayes (1957)
After Honeycomb, Rodgers surprised everyone with this tenor folk classic.
1103. CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN “The Sound of Music” (1965)
Vocalist: Peggy Wood (voice Margery McKay)
Writer/Composer: Richard Rodgers / Oscar Hammerstein II (1959)
One of the great musical selections about a positive, promising future.
1102. IT’S NOT FOR ME TO SAY (1957)
Vocalist: Johnny Mathis
Writer/Composer: Al Stillman / Robert Allen (1957)
People were astonished at this example of vocal clarity and control in 1957.
1101. DON’T BE CRUEL (1956)
Vocalist: Elvis Presley
Writer/Composer: Otis Blackwell (1956)
One of the greatest rock & roll recordings of all time, marking 1956 a year of extraordinary change in popular music.
