825-801-Great Vocals
825. SHE WORKS HARD FOR THE MONEY (1983)
Vocalist: Donna Summer (Donna Adrian Gaines)
Writer/Composer: Donna Summer / Michael Omartian (1983)
Donna’s influence in the musical landscape of the mid 1970s and on through the 1980s cannot be denied. Known as America’s “Queen of Disco,” she gained a global following in her era as a singer / songwriter with R&B / Soul / Pop / Rock and Electronic Dance music. No female artist matched her record sales during that time (14 made it into the top 10, 4 made #1) except perhaps the male Bee Gees. Her mezzo-soprano vocals dominated the dance floor but also had an ethereal, quality on her amazing high registers, as she displays here with her 3rd song on our list. Some say she could sing within 5 octaves, but not without experts arguing with that fact. Like so many of her recordings, this number took anthemic power for female independence…Stunning and Impossible to Ignore!
Link # 1 Official music video 1983. Link # 2 Live performance 1983.
824. YOUNG LOVE (1957)
Vocalist: Sonny James (Jimmie Hugh Loden) (and chorus)
Writer/Composer: Carole Joyner / Ric Cartey (1956)
As one of the most popular American Country / Pop singers of the 1950s -1970s, he earned the right to be known as “the Southern Gentleman,” as he garnered perhaps more Country #1 hits than anyone of that era. His smooth, distinct baritone lent itself to some crossover Pop hits as this song was a monster hit in 1957, firmly cementing his legendary status as one of the most important vocal artists in early Country. Most of his songs were about the wonders and tribulations of young love, “They say for every boy and girl / There’s just one love in this whole world / And I-I-I-I know I’ve found mine / The heavenly touch of your embrace / Tells me no one could take your place / E-E-E-E-ever in my heart.” Covered by many singers, his Country version is the one that Endures…Innocent and Celebrated!
Link #1 Original recording 1956. Link #2 Live performance with Jordonaires 1965.
823. MAYBE THIS TIME “Cabaret and Glee” (2009)
Vocalist: Kristin Chenoweth
Writer/Composer: John Kander / Fred Ebb (1964)
Kristin cut her teeth on Broadway productions and has been an American singer / actor / performer in plays, concerts and television, but it’s her girlish high-talking, Betty Boop type voice that seems to endear her to multitudes of fans. In reality, she has trained for Classical Music, with a coloratura soprano vocal background. Her singing has been described as a distinctive, nasal, astounding, unique and captivating. Result—She has been one of the busiest musical actresses on Broadway for the 21st Century. She is extraordinarily popular with audiences crossing all musical genres. She takes this Liza Minnelli classic to the moon and back…Irresistibly Electrifying!
822. ONCE UPON ANOTHER TIME (2013)
Vocalist: Sara Bareilles
Writer/Composer: Sara Bareilles / Ben Folds producer (2012)
Recognized by many as one of the most gifted singer / songwriter / musical actresses of the 21st Century, Sara displays something that almost no vocalist would try or attempt to do—hum the first stanza and sing the next verse, A Capella—no musical accompaniment! Why? When you can work a mezzo-soprano voice and work your 3-octave range so sparingly and naturally, why support that vocal with note-bending vocal gymnastics when you don’t need to, just roll with the flow…and sing, or hum—we win either way. Her natural abilities feed on emotion and clarity, and she sings about leaving her childhood behind and embarking on a new journey. She takes this number and captivates her audience—she mesmerizes them. This selection is becoming a modern Pop classic…Superb and Heavenly!
Link # 1 Original recording 2013. Link # 2 Live performance at El Rey 2013.
821. LOW DOWN MAN (1998)
Vocalist: Squirrel Nut Zippers (lead Katherine Whalen)
Writer/Composer: James Mathus (1998)
An American 6-piece band carved a new niche on the musical landscape when boy groups and girl Pop was dominating the musical landscape. A retro band was born in 1993 playing small venues with a striking female singer who many may have thought was the return of Billie Holiday—it was Katheryn Whalen. Their musical bag was full of Jazz / Swing / Blues / even Soft Rock numbers, with a splendid New Orleans style, and as this selection demonstrates, they filled a need and a gap for old-time sounds with exceptional, unique musical skills, hence, the Zippers. Whalen’s vocals were amazingly vintage, working her soprano, 2-octave range with a delicate mystifying trip back in time and a sound quite unique for the 21st Century, versatile, appealing and alluring…Simmering and Irresistible!
Link # 1 Orinal recording 1998. Link # 2 Live lazy recording 199?
820. MY MARIA (1996)
Vocalist: Brooks and Dunn (Ronnie Dunn / Kix Brooks)
Writer/Composer: Lou Stevenson (B.W. Stevenson) / Daniel Moore (1973)
Powered by Ronnie Dunn’s near 3-octave vocals, this Grammy-winning song, done originally by BW Stevenson, was a colossal Country hit, redefining American Country music with Crystal-clear harmony and a melodious falsetto that was unmatched in music at that time. Dunn flawlessly holds that high note multiple times in the song, bringing a landslide of accolades between each verse—should’ve ranked it much higher on our list with their 2nd selection. We know we’re in for a treat when the song builds momentum from the very first verse, and when Ronnie hits the chorus, “My Maria (oh Maria, I love you, girl, oh, my Maria)” we love it how he holds that note, “My Mareeeeeeeea!” Thank you both for giving us pure joy…A Stratospheric, Euphoric, audio & video Performance!
Link #1 Original music video 1996. Link #2 Live performance at Cain’s Ballroom 1997.
819. HE (1955)
Vocalist: McGuire Sisters (lead Phyllis, Christine, & Dorothy)
Writer/Composer: Richard Mullan / Jack Richards (1954)
As times change, so do the lyrics and the 1950s prove that very point—a song about God became a huge hit. It took great courage to sing Traditional Pop music with obvious religious themes, as this one clearly shows, and by the 1970s it had all but disappeared. The American 3-girl McGuire Sisters took the challenge, recording this previous hit by Al Hibbler, making it a huge hit in the Pop music scene, right before Rock and Roll would cause a tsunami in the music world. It was a well-crafted beautifully written piece, an example, “He can touch a tree and turn the leaves to gold / He knows every lie that you and I have told / Though it make him sad to see the way we live / He’ll always say “I forgive.”” They sang with crystal-clear harmony, conviction and sincerity…Pure and Inspirational!
818. SHAKIN’ THE TREE (1989) (1994)
Vocalist: Youssou N’Dour / Peter Gabriel & chorus
Writer/Composer: Peter Gabriel (1989)
As Peter Gabriel wrote and recorded this song, his 3rd listed, perhaps he was thinking of a World Music plea for freedom, but as Art Rock, its sound and message is universally accepted as a statement of liberation for women, and a universal cry for peace and unity. First released by Senegalese, Youssou (1989) from his album The Lion, next released in an extended version with international musicians and voice-over layers, to enhance its African male background voices. Either version is a beautiful experience and Peter’s Secret World Tour version is a remarkable standout as one of the most Awe-Inspiring live performances ever recorded. The Beatles may have had a Magical Mystery Tour, but this one is genuine, not depending on magic. The song celebrates Womanhood like no other…Fabulous and Endearing!
Link # 1 Original recording with Peter Gabriel / Youssou N’Dour Link # 2 Live from Secret World Tour 1994.
817. KISS AND SAY GOODBYE (1976)
Vocalist: The Manhattans (Gerald Austen lead / Winfred Lovett spoken bass intro)
Writer/Composer: Winfred Lovett (1975)
Among the most successful R&B / Soul / Pop groups were the Manhattans, an American 5-man group rooted all the way back to Doo-Wop in the early 1960s. Their heyday was the 1970s and 80s. with multiple hit records with a smooth, blending, soulful sound of Gerald Austen and Blue Lovett. Blue’s bigger-than-life bass voice give this breakup song an authentic spoken narrative, a hook that makes females swoon, and Gerald’s light-as-a-feather tenor voice give the selection a hook of lush, mournful, sincerity that adds to the song’s global appeal. This came at a time when R&B / Soul was at its best, when melody, harmony, good vocals and great songwriting ruled the charts. “Please darlin, don’t you cry / Let’s just kiss and say goodbye.”…Intimate and Simply Moving!
Link - Official music video features live performance 1976.
816. OH, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING “Oklahoma” (1955)
Vocalist: Gordon MacRae
Writer/Composer: Richard Rodgers / Oscar Hammerstein III (1943)
Gordon MacRae appeared in two R&H Movie Musicals, and his beautiful baritone delivery was on full display, even from this opening scene as Curly in the movie. He was an American actor / singer / TV star, and his career spanned over 30 years from the late 1940s into the 70s. His dashing good looks, his screen charisma, and his booming voice, complete with perfect pitch and phrasing, with a touch of splendid vibrato. made him one of the leading performers for the American Songbook. We can hardly picture Oklahoma without his presence. Many think he reached the zenith of his career with voice, and this, his signature song…Completely Exhilarating!
Link - Opening scene from Oklahoma.
815. HEARTS IN ARMOR (1992)
Vocalist: Trisha Yearwood / w. Don Henley (Matt Rollings acoustic piano)
Writer/Composer: Jude Johnstone (1992)
Sometimes when Trisha sings it seems as if the world stands still, and as she appears here with her 3rd selection, it’s the epitome of a broken-hearted melody, with Don coming in to add authenticity of a lonely soul, crying out somewhere in the wilderness. This selection from her second studio album drew critical praise, not for how many hits it released, but for the unique sound of its vocal collaborations. The song features a lone piano, and mournful strings near the end, unusual for a Country selection. But the intensity of her heartbreak, and Don’s accompanying her searing sadness with his subdued harmony and soulful expressiveness, it simply is a masterpiece of what pain of the heart can feel. The song should have been a hit record, it deserves an audience…An Aching Devastating Performance!
Link - Link from Trisha Yearwood album, Mr. Henley blocked live performance.
814. LA BOHEME (1965) (1994)
Vocalist: Charles Aznavour
Writer/Composer: Jacques Plante / Charles Aznavour
Perhaps this was his signature song, his 2nd on our list, but his legend lives on, as long as there’s music. In his 7-decade career he wrote over 1000 songs, made over 50 movies, was the most popular male, French (actually Armenian) entertainer in the world, and he navigated the changes of 20th century entertainment and morals by simply enduring and adapting. Considered France’s answer to Frank Sinatra, it was not how loud he sang or how long he could hold a note—it was the use of his stunning, beautiful, quivering vibrato…Simply Indomitable!
Link # 1 in 1964. Link # 2 in 1994.
813. THE TWIST (1960)
Vocalist: Chubby Checker (Ernest Evans)
Writer/Composer: Hank Ballard & Midnighters (1958)
Very few songs in the 20th century ever came on the scene as this number did! Everyone knew who Chubby Checker was, the man who recorded his cover of Hank Ballad’s version, only to record the most popular dance craze song of all time. He seemed to gather momentum since the record went to # 1 in 1960 and on a second chart run, # 1 again in 1962. Seemed he could do no wrong with dance songs, The Twist, Limbo Rock, Pony Time, The Fly and Let’s Twist Again, all big hits worldwide. His R&B vocals and a smooth transition into a falsetto were perfect for the first half of the 1960s, satisfying R&B / Rock / Dance Pop fans everywhere. Known for simplicity, “Yuo should see my little sis / You should see my little sis / She really knows how to rock / She knows how to twist.”…Simply Sensational!
Link # 2 Official music video 1960. Link # 2 Live performance Dick Clark’s American Bandstand 1961.
812. BLUES IN THE NIGHT (1942)
Vocalist: Dinah Shore
Writer/Composer: Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer (1941)
She was without doubt, one of the most popular, famous, and celebrated American singer / entertainer / TV personalities of the the middle part of the 20th Century, known for her sultry, effervescent contralto vocals and cheerful disposition. She began as a Pop singer, moving on to Jazz / Blues numbers with a slowly rising career alongside such stars as Frank Sinatra in the Big Band era through the 1940s. Most of her hit records came in those 1940s, through the mid-50s. There was an eloquent allure in many of her songs, “My mama done ‘tol me / When I was in pigtails / My mama done ‘tol me / A maa n’s gonna sweet-talk and give you the big eyes / But when the sweet-talkin’s done / A man is a two-face, a worrisome thing / Who’ll leave you to sing / the blues in the night.” A Legendary Recording!
Link #1 Original recording 1942. Link # 2 Live performance 1949.
811. SUNNY CAME HOME (1996)
Vocalist: Shawn Colvin
Writer/Composer: Shawn Colvin (1996)
“Sunny came to her favorite room / Sunny sat down in the kitchen / She opened a book and a box of tools / Sunny came home with a mission.” This opening verse introduces us to the award-winning song by the American singer / songwriter, Shawn Colvin. It is now considered a Folk / Rock classic. From her stellar album, A Few Small Repairs, its iconic mandolin intro takes us into a disturbing world of revenge that follows years of abuse. Her soft, convincing, yet vulnerable, contralto voice is perfect for this very personal, poetic tune…Working smaller venues, she was a force in music in the 1990s,..Simply Captivating, Melodious and Haunting!
Link # 1 Original Recording with lyrics 1996. Link # 2 Live performance 1997.
810. YOUR SONG (1970)
Vocalist: Elton John
Writer/Composer: Elton John / Bernie Taupin (1970)
Everything has a beginning, and for Elton John’s 60+ years in music, this was his 1st international Pop hit, his 3rd listed song. A case could be made that no British Pop / Rock / R&B / Soul / Folk singer / songwriter / producer / pianist, has ever had such an enduring, illustrious and celebrated musical career as Elton and lyric partner, Bernie Taupin. He broke the mold, by having charted hits for over 30 years through the 20th Century. His easy-to-recognize soulful voice just wouldn’t go away, and his piano skills were magnificent. The only male singers, Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley and the Beatles, had more hit records in their lifetime. Elton always had that smooth, appealing, sincerity in his vocals and possesses one of the longest performing concert careers, over 60 years+…A Crowning Achievement!
Link # 1 Original recording 1970. Link # 2 Live performance 1971.
809. STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS (1975)
Vocalist: Paul Simon
Writer/Composer: Paul Simon (1975)
This enigmatic slice-of-life Pop / Jazz / Soft Rock classic is an award-winning, well deserved poetic masterpiece by one of the greatest singer / songwriters of the 20th Century. One of the verses, “I’m not the kind of man / Who tends to socialize / I seem to lean on old familiar ways / And I ain’t no fool for love songs that whisper in my ears / Still crazy after all these years / Oh, still crazy after all these years,” in a nostalgic contemplative way, describe regret of the rapidly passing years in our stream of time. Paul has 2 well-earned entries on this page, with heartfelt, sober, resonant, crystalline chapters on life, and perhaps no other songwriter delivers it so distinctly and smoothly as Paul, even without Art Garfunkel. His use of great musicians and his mix is an Absolute Treasure…Monumental!
Link # 1 Original recording 1975. Link # 2 Live from CEntal Park, New York City 1991.
808. WHAT ABOUT LOVE (1985)
Vocalist: Heart (lead Ann Wilson) / feat. Mickey Thomas / Grace Slick / Lynn Wilson “Starship” background vocals)
Writer/Composer: Brian Allen / Sharon Allton / Jim Vallance (1982)
Here the Wilsons are again, Nancy with her incredible guitar skills, Ann with her dynamic, powerful 3+ octave, soprano voice, and Lynn, contributing backing vocals. Ann starts with a much more subdued vocal, before breaking loose in the chorus. Arguably the most successful female Rock group in history, this American 5-piece band didn’t have to write their songs later in their career— the hits just kept coming anyway. Ann’s vocals carried the group into infinity, and with a little help from their friends, carried their popularity well into the 21st Century—Nancy’s guitar didn’t hurt either. When Ann pleads in the chorus, “What about love? / Don’t you want someone to care about you? / What about love? / Don’t let it slip away?” we know the finale is a vocal explosion…Electrifying and Magnificent!
Link # 1 Official music video 1985. Link # 2 Live performance Royal Albert Hall, London Philharmonic.
807. MISTY (1959)
Vocalist: Johnny Mathis / Glenn Osser’s Orch. (piano Andrew Ackers / arranger Mitch Miller)
Writer/Composer: Errol Garner / Johnny Burke (1958)
This masterpiece of a singing performance and its subsequent warm, astonishing, recording may not have ever been equaled in a studio up to this time. Johnny’s far-reaching vocals were so good that it became his signature song, his 5th on our list. His perfect phrasing in this song and his high falsetto to tenor entry to the bridge, may well be one of the greatest moments in a Jazz / Pop recording—(it should certainly be higher on our list.)—Example? After finishing the bridge of sumptuous strings, and after a lone oboe, “Oooonnn my own, would i wonder through this wonderland alone,” his voice imitates a violin, proving his extraordinary control over his 3 to 4 octaves, never has a male singer displayed it any better…Far Beyond Expectation, Celestial and Mesmerizing!
Link # 1 Original recording 1959. Link # 2 Live performance?
806. DANCING IN THE DARK (1984)
Vocalist: Bruce Springsteen / & the E-Street Band (featuring Clarence Clemmons on sax)
Writer/Composer: Bruce Springsteen (1984)
In one of the most famous and popular videos from the 1980s, this selection, a Rock classic from this American singer / songwriter, is now both beloved and respected. His 3rd selection listed is the crowd-pleaser, also a crown-teaser of sorts, especially when viewing the official video of him in concert, when on the last verse, Bruce seems to pick out a girl at random from the crowd, and his dance partner becomes actress Courtney Cox. His iconic voice is a strong, masculine, raspy baritone, and it lends itself well to representing his working-class persona, hence his nickname, “The Boss.” His strong 5 decade+ musical presence appeals to Rock / R&B / Folk / Pop and Americana—easy to see a career of splendid musical highlights from the E Street Band and his glorious following…No Doubt, Stupendous!
Link - It says it all! Original recording, best live video (1984)
805. DIAMONDS ON THE SOLES OF THEIR SHOES (1987)
Vocalist: Paul Simon / Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Writer/Composer: Paul Simon / Joseph Shabalala (1986)
From his critically acclaimed album, Graceland, comes this Folk / World Music classic, captivating us with beautiful background harmonies as well as wonderful world melodies—a surprising jewel of rich, whimsical, African vocals. And, oh, what joy! Paul’s magnificent venture as a singer / songwriter / producer. gives us peace and harmony with a capella sounds of Joseph Shabalala and his 9-man South African choral group. Now apart from Simon and Garfunkel, he presents to us a world treasure. Paul’s instantly recognizable voice proves he was a leading contender from the 1970s through the 1990s as one of the very best singer / songwriters of the last 40 years of the 20th century, this being just one of his many songs that displays his vocal prowess…Serendipity!
Link # 1 Official music video. Link # 2 Live 1987 African concert, absolutely marvelous.
804. I GOT YOU BABE (1965)
Vocalist: Sonny & Cher (Sonny Bono / Cherylyn Sarkisian) / feat. the Wrecking Crew
Writer/Composer: Sonny Bobo (1965)
This was the breakthrough hit for Sonny and Cher together, representing her 2nd song on our list, their 1st as a husband / wife duo. Time has been good to this Rock / Folk / Pop song, it has shown up in Television shows and Movies (the films focal point, Groundhog Day.) It began a career for Cher in the early 1960s that lasted into the 2020s, over 60 years, one of the longest sojourns in show business. Her wonderful, resonant, contralto voice stands out, a signature song for them both, right into the 1970s when they landed a TV variety show, and they played excellently off each other, in songs and comedy skits. Uniquely, the song, a varying, meandering melody, grows on you, holding up very well. Great tunes with great musicians always endure, like vintage wine…That oboe!…Radiantly, Superlative!
803. JE SUIS MALADE (I Am Sick) (1994)
Vocalist: Lara Fabian
Writer/Composer: Alice Dona / Serge Lama (1973)
This Belgium/Sicilian artist became a sensation in the early 1990s, her serious interpretation of this piece required dramatic theatrics and a moving, powerful voice—and did she ever deliver! She displays all the emotion of a woman whose heartbreak has driven her to mental anguish. She doesn’t use much vibrato in this number, she just belts it out as if she’s dying in pain, letting her lyric soprano, 3 octaves just tear away our heart. She is now recognized as one of the most gifted singer / songwriters of the 21st century…Astonishingly Breathtaking!
802. THE LOOK OF LOVE “Casino Royale” (1967)
Vocalist: Dusty Springfield (Mary O’Brian) (Stan Getz saxophone / Herb Alpert trumpet)
Writer/Composer: Burt Bacharach / Hal David (1967)
Dusty was not just Pop star—she was also an enigmatic Jazz / R&B / Soul / Rock / Folk star. She wanted to be primarily known as a white Soul singer, and she was, with multitudes of hits from the 1960s, (She was lead singer for the Springfields) until the mid 70s. Her 1968 album, Dusty ni Memphis, is now considered her signature album. Her mezzo-soprano voice was immediately recognized as a vulnerable, smokey, husky, dynamic sound, completely unique for a British star of that era. That description partially describes her persona and the Soul she put into her music. She recorded for over 30 years and this selection has an emotional Jazz vibe…Marvelously Aching and Sensational!
Link # 1 Original recording, Casino Royale 1967. Link # 2 Live performance 1969.
801. THIS NEARLY WAS MINE “South Pacific” (1949)
Vocalist: Ezio Pinza
Writer/Composer: Richard Rodgers / Oscar Hammerstein II (1949)
Something remarkable happened in the Broadway Theater in 1949. An Opera singer with a bass / baritone vocal range left the opera, trying out the lead role in South Pacific—and he made it! With his 2nd entry on our list, he presents and demonstrates his rich, larger-than-life, award-winning voice. He was not the handsome leading man type, he possessed a rugged working man’s look, but it didn’t matter—It was his booming, baritone Voice! He delivered heartfelt ballads of love and heartbreak, with authority and a sincere certainty, yet with a vulnerability, convincing all that he was capable of bringing happiness or heartbreak into a relationship, as this song clearly shows…An absolute Gem, a Tour-de-Force!
Link - Straight from the Broadway Play, remastered.
