750-726-Great Vocals
750. (The) ROCK AND ROLL WALTZ (1955)
Vocalist: Kay Starr (Katherine LaVern Sparks) / Hugo Winterhalter’s Orch.
Writer/Composer: Roy Alfred / Shorty Allen (1955)
Rock music would never be the same after this treasured, Native American, Pop artist, Kay Starr, jump-started it with her 2nd listed song. Her vibrant, self-assured delivery really shines here with her powerful, luscious, earthy voice from 1940s / 1960s. When Capitol Records brought the song to her, she thought the Novelty song was a joke—it wasn’t! It became a giant #1 song for 6 straight weeks. She began a trend that Pop stars soon imitated—Pat Boone - (Ain’t That a Shame - 1956), Johnny Ray (Yes, Tonight, Josephine - 1957), Roy Hamilton (Don’t Let Go -1958), Brook Benton (I Wanna Do Everything for You - 1959). Rock was to prevail over all music sales for the next half century. Known mostly as a Pop / Jazz singer who dabbled in Country, her big hits were musical landmarks…Stupendously Clever!
Link - Original recording 1955.
749. MARY IN THE MORNING (1967)
Vocalist: Al Martino (Alfred Cini)
Writer/Composer: Johnny Cymbal / Michael Rashkow (1967)
A conversation about the great vocalists and Pop crooners is not complete without the likes of Italian-American singer / actor, Al Martino. This song endures despite the overwhelming musical British Invasion, with his beautiful, relaxed, smooth, baritone vocal performance. His recording career was at its peak from the 1950s and into the 1970s, especially with this extraordinary song. Sounding like a Folk melody, we get transfixed by the intro, “Nothing’s quite as pretty as Mary in the morning / When through a sleepy haze, I see her lyring there / Soft as the rain that falls on summer flowers / Warm as the sunlight shining on her golden hair.” Does it get any better than that? This classic love ballad never achieved the success or accolades it so richly deserved…Romantically Elegant and Poignant!
Link # 1 Original recording 1967. Link # 2 Live performance c. 1970.
748. AMARILLO BY MORNING (1973)
Vocalist: George Strait
Writer/Composer: Terry Stafford / Paul Fraser (1973)
Here he is, the Country and Western singer / guitarist / actor who holds the distinction for selling more records and albums than any other artist in Country music history, over 65 million records and over 35 million albums. He also holds the record as of 2024 for having 44 #1 hits in Country music, a record covering all musical genres. It’s perhaps the genuine sincerity and conviction in his delivery that attracts people to embrace his music, and the longevity of his remarkable career. He possesses a natural vibrato in his relaxed singing performance which add a pleasing texture and richness to his tenor to baritone 2.5 octave voice. His Ace In the Hole band has been with him for years and his career now spans 5 to 6 decades…A Superlative, Melancholy song!
Link # 1 Official audio 1973. Link # 2 Live performance 1973.
747. DEFYING GRAVITY “Wicked” (2003)
Vocalist: Idena Mendel / Kristen Chenowith
Writer/Composer: Stephen Schwartz (2003)
This has become in recent years one of the most popular of stellar performances of modern times on Broadway. It’s understandable, because our singer / performers take to unreachable heights, or convincing lows, as they master this incredibly difficult song because of its…highs and lows. It’s also difficult because it requires a battle between head voice and chest voice, in part because some of the lyrics must be spoken, not sung. It is considered the signature song from the play, and the two voices excel in their ability to breathe excitement into the audience. It may be short on quivering vibrato and perhaps amazing on their harmonizing, but it endures as a fight—good versus evil…Simply Spellbinding!
Link - From the 2004 Tony Awards of Broadway Musicals.
746. YOU’VE GOT TO BE CAREFULLY TAUGHT “South Pacific” (1995)
Vocalist: Mandy Patinkin
Writer/Composer: Richard Rodgers / Oscar Hammerstein II (1949)
With one of the shortest songs on our musical list, Mandy covers this extraordinary piece from South Pacific with his 3rd selection. When this song appeared in 1949, it was not without controversy. It plainly deals with the problem of racial prejudice, written by American Jewish musicians, and sung by Jewish descendants. R & H refused to cut the number from the Broadway play, and the movie in 1955, and we are better off for the timely courage to sing it. The world truly should really Listen to its massage. Mandy’s tenor voice excites, elevates and explains the folly of racism, presenting a power-packed cover of this meaningful message song…A Mercurial, Delicate Performance!
Link - From live recorded performance 1995.
745. HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW (1958)
Vocalist: Mahalia Jackson
Writer/Composer: Civilla D Martin / Charles H. Gabriel (1905)
The enormous popularity of this recording brought Mahalia Jackson a 40-year career and the subsequent sale of millions of records, concerts and appearances on TV variety shows. Her larger-than-life contralto voice appealed not just to Gospel fans, but to Jazz / R&B / Soul fans as well. Her amazing career crossed all boundaries in music, and her stage presence was respected by everyone from the 1940s on. There seemed to be an eerie quality of her voice that was moving, sincere and awe-inspiring. Many people recorded this Gospel classic, but few touched as many hearts as her version, because she sang it without the exagerrated note-bending so common to Gospel by less gifted vocalist…Truly Inspirational!
L*nk - Original recording 1958.
744. RELEASE ME (1989)
Vocalist: Wilson Phillips
Writer/Composer: Carnie Wilson / Wendy Wilson / Chynna Phillips (1989)
Is it possible to pass pure talent from one generation to another? Yes! With this American female Pop Group, a good case for it can be made. Carnie And Wendy are the daughters of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and Chynna Phillips is daughter of John and Michelle Phillips of Mamas & Papas fame. From their debut album and through the 1990s, it can be argued that some of the most beautiful textured harmonies in Pop music came from this gifted group. As singer / songwriters they were able to develop their own distinctive style with their rich harmonies and astounding youthful sounds, yet with a flair for sounding strangely mature…Check out this, one of their best recordings…Exquisite and Marvelous!
Link # 1 Official music video 1989. Link # 2 Wonderful Live performance 1990.
743. LEAVING ON A JET PLANE (1969)
Vocalist: Peter, Paul & Mary (Mary Travers lead)
Writer/Composer: John Denver (1966)
This John Denver classic, beautifully delivered by Mary Travers’ sad soprano voice, is superb. Their 3rd entry on our list is the beloved farewell song about the uncertainty of not returning. The Folk / Pop classic went to #1, was their biggest hit, often linked to farewell for soldiers leaving for Viet Nam—heartbreak is built in lyrically within the chorus, “So kiss me and smile for me / Tell me that you’ll wait for me / Hold me like you’ll never let me go / I’m leaving on a jet plane / Don’t know if I’ll be back again / Oh babe, I hate to go.”…This stunning piece of music is a national treasure…Beautiful, Splendid Pathos!
Link - Live 1970 performance.
742. WICKED GAME (1990)
Vocalist: Chris Isaak (backup voices the Silvertones)
Writer/Composer: Chris Isaak (1989)
This song is living proof that it’s not many octaves you can sing in, it’s how you can use your 2+ octaves and bring in a ethereal falsetto as Chris Isaak does in this amazing song. Appealing to the retro, reverb sound of Rockabilly artists such as Roy Orbison, it wasn’t necessary to allow a strong base or drum kit to drive the song, he let his vocal and guitar carry the carry the tune. This singer / songwriter / actor / guitarist made his mark. The result, a number that embraced Pop / Soft Rock / Country fans worldwide, a feast for the ears. His smooth, rich baritone really shines here as the conclusion rises to a high falsetto after the line, “No, I————-” (This world is only gonna break your heart).” This beautiful, melancholy number stays with you, long after the song is over. Absolutely Rapturous and Mesmerizing!
Link # 1 Original recording video. Link # 2 Live Performance 1990.
741. KASHMIR (1973)
Vocalist: Led Zepellin (Robert Plant)
Writer / Composer: Jimmy Page / Robert Plant / Jon Bonham (1971-1973)
After the iconic Rock / Progressive Rock / Progressive Metal revolution that clearly set the 1970s apart from other decades, this British group seemed to evolve into the poster boys for rebellious, hard-driven, thunderous Rock anthems. With Jimmy Page’s timely guitars, John Paul Jones stellar bass and mellotron, John Bonham’s thunderous drums, and Robert Plant’s piercing vocals, this avalanche of searing music has pushed its way into Rock music’s banquet of all time classics. Very few groups have accomplished such complex melodies with such razor-thin precision. Even if Plant’s vocals are not to your sensabilities, the song marches on with him right in the middle—high-pitched voices seem to be the only sound that rises above the instruments…A Legendary Tour-de-Force!
Link # 1 Original recording 1973. Link # 2 Live performance in Egypt 1979.
740. FOR ME AND MY GAL “For Me & My Gal” (1942)
Vocalist: Judy Garland / Gene Kelly
Writer/Composer: George W. Meyer / Edgar Leslie / E, Ray Goetz (1917)
This song passes the test of time as Judy’s 3rd entry on our list, and Gene Kelly’s 2nd while making his film debut, and they play off each other perfectly, displaying their remarkable song and dance routine with joy and precision. It became classic as an extraordinary number as they take turns harmonizing, and their voices show remarkable range, phrasing and clarity. Judy is only 19 years old here after her 1939 performance of Over the Rainbow, paving the way for a singing career as one of the most gifted American singers of the 20th century. Her musicals, TV specials and concerts were massive hits from the 1940s through the 1960s. This…Simply a Standout Performance!
Link # 1 Watch their faces in this legendary Movie Clip.
739. HERE YOU COME AGAIN (1977)
Vocalist: Dolly Parton
Writer/Composer: (Barry Mann / Cynthia Weil (1977)
Dolly took the music world by storm and launched her solo Country / Pop 60+ year career with this Grammy-award winning song, her 4th entry on our list. This breakthrough hit was a smash, and instead of remaining a solid soprano-voiced Country singer / songwriter / entertainer, it renewed her new career as an actress / entrepreneur. The song begins with a strong piano riff and sails into a Country / Rock / Pop motif, and a new star is born. Since then, everyone in the world seems to know and be familiar with who Dolly is. She didn’t even have to write this song, Barry and Cynthia did it for her, and it was at that precise moment in time when she took her career to the next level, with her sincere, confident delivery of this now classic tune,
Link # 1 Official music video. Link # 2 Live performance CMA Country Awards 1978.
738. LULLABY OF BIRDLAND (1954)
Vocalist: Sarah Vaughn (featuring Clifford Brown)
Writer/Composer: George Shearing / George David Weiss (1952)
Considered as one of the finest Jazz interpretations ever recorded, Sarah takes us to the moon and back with her incredible vocal versatility, singing with her smokey, breathy, gymnastic vocalizing, scat-singing just to make it interesting, never leaving any doubt of her remarkable timing and phrasing. Her 5th selection on our list is an important one musically. It shows that voices change through the years for singers, especially if they smoke most of their lives, and this is a case where a great Jazz / Blues voice can adapt to the changes. This song, now considered a Jazz classic, and her vocals, an octave lower than the 1940s, proves that very point. Another song for the ages by one of the best Jazz / Pop voices of the 20th century…Superb!
737. CAN’T YOU SEE (1973)
Vocalist: Marshall Tucker Band (lead Doug Gray / flute Jerry Eubanks)
Writer/Composer: Toy Caldwell (1973)
This 6-piece progressive Country / Rock band gave new meaning to the word “Country Blues,” as this song clearly shows. With Doug Gray’s searing, bluesy vocals and a surprising flute intro and finale by Jerry Eubanks, it was remarkable how this song has morphed into a Blues number…Oh!—and there is no one in the band named Marshall Tucker. Doug Gray knocks it outa the park with his youthful, gritty, painfilled vocals, and his guitar licks are fabulous! The 1970s were a marvelous time for singer songwriters. Who can forget the repetitive chorus, “Can’t you see, oh, can’t you see / What that woman , Lord, she been doin’ to me / Can’t you see, can’t you see / What that woman, been doin’ to me.” In this case, everyone starts singing the Blues!…Mournful and Aching!
LInk # 1 Official audio with lyrics 1973 Link # 2 Live ar the Grand Ole Opry 1974
736. LA BAMBA (1987)
Vocalist: Los Lobos (lead David Hidalgo / 5-piece rock band)
Writer/Composer: Ritchie Valens (1958)
This sensational song became a Rock / Pop / Folk classic, becoming a worldwide smash hit for this amazing Mexican / American Rock Group in 1987. Writer Ritchie Valens brought it to the world in ‘58 before tragically dying in an air crash in 1959. Los Lobos covered it in Spanish, it went global, staying popular a whole year. Its rhythm and infectious beat reached out to all languages and countries—our lead singer delivered a truly remarkable international song with his deep, expressive voice that appealed to the masses everywhere. He really shines here…Fantastic and Irresistible!
735. MAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF (1962)
Vocalist: Jerry Butler & Chorus
Writer/Composer: Burt Bacharach / Hal David / Casa David (1962)
Jerry is among the greatest American, legendary R&B / Soul / Pop singers of his generation, and as a singer / songwriter / musician, he was the lead vocalist of the Impressions until 1960. Very few black Soul singers had at least 55 different songs that charted on the Pop and R&B listings, but his long 1950s -1980s career in music was a stellar one. He specialized in lost love ballads such as this one, and his deep, resonant, tenor vocals were beautiful, melodic and as sweet and cool as melted sugar, hence the nickname, the “Iceman.” His yearning delivery of the line, “And make it easy on yourself / Make it easy on yourself / ‘Cause breaking up is so very hard to do.” It’s just too much! His 2nd song listed is now a classic…Simply Beloved and Celebrated!
Link # 1 Original recording. Link # 2 live performance in 1970.
734. BLACK OR WHITE (1991)
Vocalist: Michael Jackson
Writer/Composer: Michael Jackson / Bill Bottrell (1989)
This single released from his 8th studio album, Dangerous, was a massive hit by the “King of Pop,” produced, composed and sung by Michael during the peak in his popularity. Appealing to fans and critics in R&B / Rock / Soul / Hip Hop and Pop, it was another international hit for the world’s biggest musical superstar at the time, marking the first time a vocalist had multiple # 1 songs in 3 different decades, the 1970s, 1980s & 1990s. This recording was a call for peace and unity among the masses, and it became anthemic for racial harmony. His scratch vocals of 1989 served as a master recording and his rougher, grittier, more aggressive singing style seemed to only enhance his fan base ever more. The world welcomed his 4th entry on our list with open arms…Exceptionally Spectacular!
Link # 1 Official audio with lyrics 1991. Link # 2 Official short version video 1991.
733. WE ARE FAMILY (1979)
Vocalist: Sister Sledge (lead Kathy Sledge)
Writer/Composer: Bernard Edwards / Nile Rodgers (1979)
A highlight musically in 1979 was this wonderful, smiling, cherry song, all about family, right at the pinnacle of the Disco era. This American female vocal group made up of 4 sisters really made a difference with this song. Kathy’s catchy, jazzy, soprano voice was enticing, assuring and endearing, “Everyone can see we’re together / As we walk on by / And we flock like birds of a feather / I won’t tell no lie / All the people around us / They say, ‘Can they be that close?’ / Just let me state for the record / We’re giving love in a family dose.” Appealing to R&B / Soul / Disco / & Pop, the song was so well-produced the Pittsburgh Pirates used it as their theme song as they won the Word Series in baseball. The Sledge sisters cut a diamond for the family jewel—almost impossible to not sing along…Irresistably Stirring!
Link # 1 Official audio recording 1979. Link # 2 Official music video 1979.
732. LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE (1966)
Vocalist: The Monkees (lead Micky Dolenz) (featuring Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart with their band)
Writer/Composer: Tommy Boyce / Bobby Hart (1966)
This 4-piece Rock / Pop band was the American answer for the supposed alternative to the British Invasion in music. Their superstar status in the U.S. was, however, no accident. By the time the group ran a full year with their own TV series, it was undeniable, they had become iconic and famous as actors, entertainers, and eventually musicians and writers. They had a Rock / Pop / Folk sound and for a short while, and as this song demonstrated, they had a great sense of melody and harmony. Micky Dolenz’s lead vocals sounded well-seasoned and engaging with his distinctive baritone delivery. The song features stellar guitar playing by Boyce and Hart. Their 3-year run with hits from 1966-1968 almost rivaled the Beatles… Infectiously Delightful and Groovy!
731. NON-JE NE REGRETTE REIN (No Regrets) (1960)
Vocalist: Edith Piaf
Writer/Composer: Charles Dumont / Michel Vaucaire (1956)
With Edith’s 2nd entry on our list, she surely displays one of the most unique voices in recording history! This song stands alone as a superb testament to the ethereal, exquisite criteria that is capable by the human voice. Her quivering vibrato, almost unmatched in the 20th century, was an uncanny sound seemingly only possible with birds. Her astonishing delivery produces double takes as people raise their heads in some sort of disbelief, and she accomplishes this by her shining, wonderfully textured, awestruck. vocal persona. It’s a Tour-de-Force! No wonder she mentored so many…Absolute, Celestial World Music!
730. HEY NINETEEN (1981)
Vocalist: Steely Dan (lead Donald Fagan piano, synthesizer / Walter Becker base, guitar / Rick Marotta - drums / Hugh McCracken - guitar / Victor Feldman / Steve Gadd percussion / 2 singers backing vocals)
Writer/Composer: Walter Becker / Donald Fagan (1980)
This was another extraordinary piece from Fagan & Becker letting their fans know they were not just a sophisticated Jazz / Rock band—they had become a Jazz Fusion / Funk band as well. The 2-man band Steely Dan quit doing live shows by the mid 1970s. concentrating on complex albums such as Gaucho, spending more time perfecting their craft. Our list’s 3rd entry, a classic example of the disappointment of age differences between an older more mature man and a younger woman, not even recognizing a song by “Retha Franklin.” Fagen’s lead vocals are amazingly smooth and stellar, with wonderful backing vocals, with a crystal-clear Jazz-infused song of reminiscing about things he can’t control, such as aging—might as well deal with it with “Cuervo Gold.”…With Delicate Contemplation!
Link - Official audio 1981.
729. THE GUARDIAN (1995)
Vocalist: Alanis Morissette
Writer/Composer: Alanis Morissette / Glen Ballard (1995)
From her album Havoc and Bright Lights comes a haunting song that features a promise from a woman acting as a “Watchwoman,” maybe for life. Her 2nd entry on our list is full of surprise and sometimes disbelief. We probably imagine we’re hearing artificial intelligence reproducing a 4 to 5 octave sound coming from some sort of extraterrestrial source…but we’re not. It’s Alanis testing the waters with an uncanny gift sending her vocals to abrupt, sharp turns, tuning on a dime, and sending us into an illogical frenzy of not believing what we are hearing. This Canadian singer / songwriter Alt / Rock performance is both astonishing and surreal, and her higher vocals at the end of the piece are worth a listen even if Alt / Rock isn’t your bag…Simply Mesmerizing!
728. AFTER THE LOVE HAS GONE (1979)
Vocalist: Earth, Wind & Fire (lead Maurice White / Philip Bailey backing vocals / Don Myrick alto sax (Johnny Graham guitar / Verdine White bass / Fred White drums / Larry Dunn piano & synthesizers / Jerry Hey horn arrangement / David Foster string arranger)
Writer/Composer: David Foster / Jay Graydon / Bill Champlin (1979)
Some songs transcend almost everything that defines their genre, and this is one of the finest. Imagine how much fun it must have been, just in recording this (their 2nd song listed—we know the joy of attending the concert! When all the vocals come together, it’s a masterpiece. This American 8 or 9 piece, R&B band appealed and transcended all major music categories, R&B / Soul / Pop / Rock / Funk and…Jazz! On this list. with Don Myrick leading the way, with one of the truly amazing Jazz solos at the conclusion, we know it well deserved its Grammy. With Maurice’s “understated tenor” and Philip’s “ozone-layered falsetto,” it was the perfect combination for this Jazz / R&B classic. The combination of vocals with all the band members is astonishing. As good as it gets…Sensationally Sumptuous!
Link # 1 Original audio recording 1979. Link # 2 Live performance, 1980?
727. AMERICA (1972)
Vocalist: Simon and Garfunkel
Writer/Composer: Paul Simon (1968)
Their 5th entry on our list presents a couple of lovers, riding across America. This Folk / Rock masterpiece from their poetic album, Bookends, proves these singer / songwriters may be the greatest singing duo in 20th century music. Imagination and optimism seem to be the theme, and their voices…Oh! What beauty, when Art occasionally joins in! With lyrics such as, “Laughing on the bus / Playing games with the faces / She said, ‘the man in the gabardine suit was a spy’ / I said, ‘be careful, his bowtie is really a camera.’” …Nostalgic, Poetic, and Melancholy!
Link # 1 Original Recording from Bookends 1971. Link # 2 Live Performance in Central Park.
726. PENNIES FROM HEAVEN (1936)
Vocalist: Bing Crosby (George Stoll musical arrangements)
Writer/Composer: Arthur Johnston / Johnny Burke (1936)
This Pop song from the Movie of the same name was a massive hit in 1936, remarkably for its clear message of hope, in the midst of the Great Depression. It made a huge impact on the Pop culture, solidifying Bing’s place as having the most hit records of anyone in music history. His beautiful baritone voice really sparkles here with his 5th entry listed, and his signature vibrato and familiar whistle, ascends to heavenly bliss, as he croons his way into people’s hearts. “Every time it rains it rains / Pennies from heaven / Don’t you know each cloud contains / Pennies from heaven / You’ll find your fortune falling / All over town / Be sure that your umbrella / Is upside down.”…Absolutely Legendary!
