525-501-Great Vocals
525. WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN (1970)
Vocalist: The Carpenters (lead Karen Carpenter)
Writer/Composer: Paul Williams / Roger Nichols (1970)
As the 1970s began, among the most prolific and positive American singers were the Carpenters, with their unique, beautiful, crystal-clear voices. Karen took the Pop / Soft Rock / Folk world by storm as a singer / musician / songwriter, selling millions of records, offering hit after hit with her mellow, tender, contralto voice, a very rare combination for a female vocalist in those days. This particular song was another of their vocals with a positive message on beginning a new life or new relationship, and the hopefulness therein. In retrospect, she now is acknowledged as one of the best female vocalists if the 20th century—just listen…Pure, Silky Eloquence!
Link # 1 Original recording & video. Link # 2 Live performance 1971.
524. EASY TO BE HARD “Hair” (1969)
Vocalist: Three Dog Night (Chuck Negron)
Writer/Composer: James Rado / Galt McDermott / Gerome Ragni (1967)
This is a hidden Soft-Rock gem that surfaces periodically when talk harkens back the protest movements that characterized the wide gap between rich and poor, old and young, social activism and anti-war protests. No matter how you interpret it, it features the extraordinary vocals of Chuck Negron, one of the purely great voices ever in Rock music history. This American 3-piece Rock group broke through with numerous hits during the early 1970s, and this song helped launch their career. Chuck excelled in Rock, Blues and Soul, and it really shows up by the end in this offering, often singing in 3 + octaves…Absolutely Stupendous!
Link # 1 Original recording 1969. Link # 2 Vintage live performance 1970.
523. WALKIN’ AFTER MIDNIGHT (1957)
Vocalist: Patsy Cline (Don Helms steel guitar)
Writer/Composer: Alan Bick / Don Hecht (1954)
A perfect song about being lonesome! She does it again with her 4th entry on our list, and this number became the first female Country song to crossover onto the Pop charts, and her first big hit. Her authenticity again shows in this perfectly executed Country offering and so does her unique, bold contralto voice. She always displayed a crystal-clear vocal that was full of emotion and power and consequently, she has endured through the decades as the cream of the crop as the very best among early Country recording artists. Check out the steel guitar in this song, introducing the Pop world to pure Country…Timeless, Aching and Stirring!
522. SCHOOL DAYS (1957)
Vocalist: Chuck Berry
Writer/Composer: Chuck Berry (1957)
Sung and played with reckless abandon, he meets every criterion of American Rock and Roll in this now famous guitar anthem of the joy of our school days and the extra kicks young people would feel when they “finally lay their burden down.” What can one say about his 2nd entry on our list, a vocal performance and his unique, repetitive, guitar response after each verse? He stands as a founder and leading influence on melding Rock music with Rythm & Blues by his Energetic, Full-Throttled, Rip-Roaring delivery—but with the finesse of a great poet and songwriter. Even at his most wordy, he amazes us even today by his…Punctuating Rhymes and High-Spirited Joy!
Link # 1 Original recording 1957. Live on the Dick Clark’s American Band Stand 1957.
521. AND I AM TELLING YOU I’M NOT GOING “Dreamgirls” (2006)
Vocalist: Jennifer Hudson
Writer/Composer: Tim Eyen / Henry Kreiger (1982)
A tale of two Jennifers?—A remarkable coincidence? Jennifer Holliday won an award in 1982 for the Broadway play—Jennifer Hudson won for the movie 24 years later, yet she was a non-winner in the TV competition of American Idol. Her voice is a strong, sensitive, over-powering, dramatic soprano, and indeed, Miss Hudson delivers, probably winning her Oscar on the strength of this power-packed performance. Now acknowledged as one of the most emotional songs ever filmed, this American singer / actress / TV star doesn’t disappoint—some admit her performance matches Holliday’s. It doesn’t matter, as her man leaves her, it is…Riveting and Shattering!
Link is from the 2006 musical film Dreamgirls.
520. YOU MAKE LOVING FUN (1977)
Vocalist: Fleetwood Mac (Christie McVie)
Writer/Composer: Christine McVie (1977)
They were one of the bestselling artists of the 1970s and 80s and this British - American Rock / Pop / Blues group was a constant for a half-century, from the 1970s - 2010s. Great in the studio. even better live on tour, for their 4th number on our list, we turn to Christie McVie, who’s 2nd lead vocals sounds as new and fresh as the day she recorded them. From their stellar album, Rumours, this song seems to jump with vitality, her alto vocal sound is sharp, convincing and transcendent. The backing vocals are as exceptional as Lindsay Buckingham’s dynamic guitar work —it just stays with you…Monumental and Spellbinding!
Link # 1 The 1977 original recording. Link # 2 Live performance in 1997.
519. HAVE YOU SEEN HER (1971)
Vocalist: The Chi-Lites (Eugene Record)
Writer/Composer: Barbara Acklin / Eugene Record (1971)
Out of the 20th Century’s greatest musical decade rises the Chi Lites, one of the premier American harmony R&B / Soul / Blues / Pop groups. The lead singer (Gene Record) starts off and ends with narration, singing in a stunning high tenor about his trying to replace his loneliness and despair since his girl departed. He sings with such heartfelt feelings, the song overwhelms us with its sincerity. There were many great R&B groups in the 1970s era, and this one certainly left its mark. When the backing trio harmonizes “Oh, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo,”…you know you’ve heard something…Exceptionally Special!!
Link # 1 Original recording 1971. Link # 2 Live performance on Soul Train 1971.
518. SEMINOLE WIND (1992)
Vocalist: John Anderson (Joe Spivey violin / Gary Smith piano)
Writer/Composer: John Anderson (1992)
This Country classic from American Country singer and prolific songwriter, John Anderson, is a true treasure. From the mid-1970s through the 2020s, this amazing artist and tenor vocalist is known for his unique voice, clever lyrics and, as this song clearly indicates, meaningful messages. His passionate plea is borne out of his vivid imagination to prevent urban sprawl—to save the wetlands and culture. “And progress came and took its toll / And in the name of flood control / They made their plans and they drained the land / Now the glades are going dry.” This is an example that resonates long after the song is over…Haunting and Inspirational!
517. MARCH OF THE TOREADORS (Votre Toast) “Carmen” (1992)
Vocalist: Justino Diaz & Chorus
Writer/Composer: Georges Bizet / lyrics Henri Meilhac / Ludovic Halevy (1875)
This Classical Opera aria has become one of the most recognizable pieces in the world, and this version just blows you away, thanks to the extraordinary bass / baritone presentation by Puerto Rican Classical sensation, Justino Diaz. Wow! What amazing delivery, what gifted stage charisma and what robust, velvety smooth voice he has, prolonging his incredible 1960s-2010s musical career. He is legendary in his Opéra roles and has now performed vocals in over 400 different U.S. Metropolitan performances in 27 different operas in his long-storied career. This selection is one his most honored…Breathtakingly Sensational!
516. SOMETHING GOOD “The Sound of Music” (1965)
Vocalist: Julie Andrews / Christopher Plummer (voice Bill Lee)
Writer/Composer: Richard Rodgers / Oscar Hammerstein II (1959)
This stunning duet dazzles us as one of the most romantic scenes in movie history. This gazebo scene, not in the Broadway production, was added to the film. and with director Robert Wise’s sensitive direction, the scene becomes a moving Monet painting. With tenderness and love displayed so beautifully, Maria (Andrews with her 2nd entry on our list) and the captain, Christopher Plummer, (Bill Lee’s voice) they finally admit their long, suppressed love for each other. “For here you are, standing there, loving me / Whether or not you should / So somewhere in my youth or childhood / I must have done something good.” An International Treasure…Captivating and Flawless!
Link - The beautiful movie clip from the movie, the Sound of Music 1965.
515. WALK ON BY (1964)
Vocalist: Dionne Warwick & Chorus
Writer/Composer: Burt Bacharach / Hal David (1963)
The team of Bacharach/David hitched their songwriting abilities to a female R&B / Soul star and turned her, deservedly, into an American international Pop star. She clearly was a great interpreter of this famous songwriting team as she utilized her distinct 2 to 3 octaves to sing difficult, challenging, wordy, catchy tunes from the early 1960s through the 1990s. Her long career spawned numerous hit records and she ably made the transition to her older, more mature, husky sounds later on. This was one of her earliest hits, the backup singers are amazing, and she just owns those unexpected high notes…Simply Elegant and Breathtaking!
Link # 1 Original recording 1963. Link # 2 Live TV appearance 1964.
514. POOR LITTLE FOOL (1958)
Vocalist: Ricky Nelson / and the Jordanaires
Writer/Composer: Sharon Sheeley (1956)
He started as a young teenager on TV’s Ozzie and Harriet, and from 1957 through 1963, he was Elvis Presley’s closest rival, turning out hit after hit in American Pop / Rock / R&B and Country Rock, specializing in love ballads that appealed to all genres—everybody seemed to love Rick Nelson. He had only been popular as a singer a little more than a year when this megahit came out and, in this number, he showed great maturity in his voice—it seemed he had grown up. Remember, “I used to play around with hearts / That hastened at my call / But when I met that little girl / I knew that I would fall.” His pleasant voice owned 1958-1960…Stirring and Melancholy!
513. SONG TO THE MOON “Rusalka” (1988)
Vocalist: Lucia Popp / Munchner Rundfunk Orch. (Stefan Soltesz cond.)
Writer/Composer: Antonin Dvorak (1900)
She entered the Classical / Opera world in her early 20s and became one of the most renown singer / performers for better than three decades. She began as a Slovak soprano, later moving toward a coloratura soprano. She was known for her beauty and her wonderful ability as a recitalist and lead singer, and any way you measure it, she was a force and presence in the Opera universe. The beauty of her ‘silvery’ vocals can certainly be seen and heard in this offering, as she stuns us with a remarkable bell-like vocal quality, vocalizing with the ease of a songbird singing a heavenly greeting to the morning sun…Radiantly Lofty and Enchanting!
512. LOWDOWN (1976)
Vocalist: Boz Scaggs / and Chorus (Lewis Shelton guitar)
Writer/Composer: Boz Scaggs / David Paich (1976)
The remarkable sound of this American band in the 1970s / 1980s era, was a gifted, independent leader in Rock, Blues, Jazz, and Blue-Eyed Soul, being made up as a group of session musicians who were really…MUSICIANS! Their sound was unique, from Boz’s pure, gritty, unadulterated Blues voice featuring David Paich’s amazing keyboard work, even adding a flute. What a thrilling experience it was when this song won the award as the as best R&B Song of the year, the first white artist to do so. Boz’s voice, described as ‘Scotch & sandpaper,’ and a lazy example of a husky baritone, was universally appealing and…Wow!…Magnetically Indomitable!
Link # 1 Official audio 1976. Link # 2 Great live performance 1976.
511. BEAUTIFUL (1972)
Vocalist: Gordon Lightfoot
Writer/Composer: Gordon Lightfoot (1972)
This beautiful composition is a beloved love song from Canadian Folk / Pop / Soft-Rock storyteller, Gordon Lightfoot, from perhaps his best decade, the 1970s. There’s nothing to criticize about the beautiful melody, the beautiful lyrics, or the beautiful timbre and vibrato when he holds a note. His 4th entry on our list displays the simplicity of his vocals, the exquisite production and delivery of his songs, and there’s no doubt about it, he was a master troubadour. “And I must say it means as much to me / To be the one who’s telling you / I’m telling you / That you’re beautiful.” His gentle guitar convinces us…Clearly and Splendidly Poignant.
Link # 1 Original recording 1972. Link # 2 Live performance in a small venue, years later.
https://youtu.be/bPMe9dMFHEA?si=kUgCv4csUARCtcSc
https://youtu.be/3_lt5O40psE?si=rIx8nKi3_FL8TRBq
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510. WILD IS THE WIND “Wild is the Wind” (1957)
Vocalist: Johnny Mathis and chorus
Writer/Composer: Dmitri Tiomkin / Ned Washington (1957)
Johnny’s 4th entry on our list is a jewel of a song, all but forgotten amidst a world of Pop music fluff. His 3rd offering on our list features a vocal performance that takes on an almost inspirational sound as the lyrics transfer us to another time and place. The chorus, “You touch me / I hear the sound of mandolins / You kiss me, and with the kiss, the world begins.” The romantic verve in the song is sheer poetry, sung by one of the most gifted artists in the American musical universe. The selection offers mixed emotions based on love, despair, passion, and expectation. His vocal range spans 3 octaves— Nobody could do torch, love ballads like Mathis…Simply Unparalleled!
Link features movie clips from the movie, Wild Is the Wind.
509. THE HOUSE THAT BUILT ME (2010)
Vocalist: Miranda Lambert
Writer/Composer: Tom Douglas / Allen Shamblin (2009)
This award-winning song became one of the most acknowledged and esteemed Country songs of the 21st century, and rightly so. It’s not only skillfully written and performed but became so popular it transformed into her signature song and even crossed over onto the Pop charts. One music critic described it as “not bombastic or overdone, but earthy and downright beautiful.” Its melancholy delivery was so unique and moving that it launched her career into the stratosphere. She really makes the most of her 2 to 3 octave range, singing smoothly and authoritatively in that lower register and then belting it out when she needs to…Truly Touching and Superb!
Link features an amzing official music video 2009.
https://youtu.be/DQYNM6SjD_o?si=elyYUOUnRXT3YzWq
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508. FREE MAN IN PARIS (1974)
Vocalist: Joni Mitchell / (featuring Tom Scott, Wilton Felder, John Guerin, Jose Feliciano, Larry Carlton, David Crosby, Graham Nash)
Writer/Composer: Joni Mitchell (1973)
As a Canadian Folk / Rock / Jazz pioneer, Joni carved out her niche as being one of the most influential singer / songwriters of the 20th century with this hit song from her stellar album “Court and Spark.” With her 2nd listed vocal, she again transcends the music industry for fine art (She designed her own album covers). This Folk / Jazz piece is just an example of musicians (listed above) who were anxious to record with her. Her birdlike soprano really shines here, and the lyrics reflect an “ambiguous portrait of a music magnate,” with his ego and arrogance intact. She’s sings all over the musical map here…Legendary and Captivating!
Link # 1 Original recording 1974. Link # 2 Live from Paris 1979.
507. TIME AND TIDE (1987)
Vocalist: Basia (Trzetrzelewski - pronounced Chech e lew ska) & Chorus
Writer/Composer: Basia Trzetrzelewska / Danny White (1987)
Our Polish, singer/songwriter presents her 3rd entry on our list, and oh, what a delightful surprise it is! We’re tazed again as she introduces more stunning Jazz, Pop, Latin musical influences, and it seems she never lets us down. Perhaps no one in the Jazz world moves with such ease through her 3 octaves and when she moves to 3-point harmony with the aid of singers in her band, we often become transfixed at the beauty, joy and engaging appeal to cross boundaries. Sultry and Soulful, she hits that last verse totally in unexpected fashion—her surprising ease to shift from fast to slow, to hold notes, is just uncanny…Wake up!…Dazzling!
Link # 1 Official music video 1987. Link # 2 Live American debut, the Tonight Show 1988.
506. THE SOUND OF SILENCE (1964) (1965)
Vocalist: Simon and Garfunkel (Paul Simon lead)
Writer/Composer: Paul Simon (1964)
This now legendary Folk / Rock song became an astonishing appraisal of what the world had become, with political assassinations of the 1960s and an intense self-examination of the times. Their 4th entry on our list is beautifully structured and written, however, the album was a failure as acoustic art—they even broke up as a duo. Their producer Tom Wilson heard it receive radio airplay later and soon overdubbed it with electric guitar and drums. Result—a timeless masterpiece of art, history and music. Paul is spot-on with his lyrics and Art is perfect with his tenor harmony. Guess what! They promptly got back together!…An Enthralling Experience!
Link # 1 Original recording in 1964. Link # 2 1965 recording with drums and electric guitar.
505. REELIN’ IN THE YEARS (1972)
Vocalist: Steely Dan (lead Donald Fagen / guitar solo Elliot Randall)
Writer/Composer: Walter Becaker / Donald Fagen (1972)
This is one of the best Jazz Fusion pieces of the 1970s, or is it a Rock piece, or Pop? At any rate, it is a masterpiece, from their stellar album Can’t Buy a Thrill, their 2nd entry on our list. The backing harmonies from Fagen and Becker are impeccable, and the lyrics are sarcastic, in a good way, “You’ve been telling me you’re a genius since you were seventeen / In all the time I’ve known you I still don’t know what you mean / The weekend at the college didn’t turn out like you planned / the things that pass for knowledge I can’t understand.” This was a jumpstart in their music—it’s a joy ride from beginning to end!…Electrifying and Sensational!
Link # 1 Original recording 1974. Link # 2 Live 1974 performance on the Midnight Special.
504. BRING IT ON HOME TO ME (1962)
Vocalist: Sam Cooke (featuring Lou Rawls)
Writer/Composer: Sam Cooke (1962)
The great Sam Cooke cannot be denied on this R&B / Soul / Blues / Gospel / Pop classic, his 3rd on our list. The call and response at the end of each verse features Lou Rawls with his 2nd entry on our list, and together…their perfect. Sam’s mellow, distinct voice has a little rougher edge this time around, fearing he would just be successful as a singer of love ballads. This time he chose this Blues motif—he took it to the moon! “If you ever change your mind / About leaving, leaving me behind / Baby, bring it to me / Bring your sweet loving / Bring it on home to me—Yeah (yeah) Yeah (yeah) Yeah (yeah).” Clearly, the Blues never sounded so good…Absolutely Beyond Compare!
503. NIGHT AND DAY “The Gay Divorcee” (1942 / 1947)
Vocalist: Frank Sinatra (Axel Stordahl & Orch.)
Writer/Composer: Cole Porter (1942)
By the time Sinatra started singing with the big bands in WWII, his career was skyrocketing, and this beautiful song became a standard Jazz / Pop classic in the American Songbook. Cole Porter’s song of longing and passion was written for Fred Astaire for the movie, but Frank took it to a higher plane. This recording has always been a favorite, his stellar vocals and breath control are stunning, and even though he smoked, he was sharp. His 5th song on our list is considered a Jazz master recording, one writer describes it as ‘confiding, not emoting, giving his voice its extraordinary sympathy.’ How could we not like it?…Perfectly Stunning!
Link # 1 Original recording for the movie Night and Day. Link # 2 1957 Nelson Riddle’s jazzed up recording.
502. THAT’S THE WAY I’VE ALWAYS HEARD IT SHOULD BE (1971)
Vocalist: Carly Simon
Writer/Composer: Carly Simon / Jacob Brackman (1971)
For her 2nd song on our list, we present Carly again, from the incredible early 70s and into the early 80s. This American singer / songwriter / almost needs no introduction, because this song was thought to be ‘too emotionally complex’ to be a hit record. The finished product was a mesmerizing work of musical art, making her one of major artists who extolled the experiences of breaking up. Her contralto voice lends itself to cover almost 3 octaves, giving her a confessional sound to choke up a listener, as if she’s thinking out loud. Even though this selection is considered a Pop standard, she swims in Soul and Jazz…Stunning and Cerebral!
Link # 1 Original recording 1971. Link # 2 Live performance 1972.
501. ASK THE LONELY (1965)
Vocalist: The Four Tops / & the Adantas (lead Levi Stubbs)
Writer/Composer: William “Mickey” Stevenson / Ivy Joe Hunter (1965)
Along with the Temptations and Smokey Robinson’s Miracles, this group was the other 4-man R&B / Soul / Pop for the Motown sound in the 1960s/1970s. What a great song, what great lyrics, and what a great production—but especially, what great vocals by Levi Stubbs! His booming, power-packed, baritone, lead vocals give emotion and drama to his hurt, desire and loneliness. “They’ll tell you a story of sadness / A story too hard to believe / They’ll tell you the loneliest one…is me.” Wow! He appealed to all musical genres by his pure, heartfelt Soul and the backing group blends in perfectly…Emphatically Aching and Electrifying!
Link # 1 Original recording 1965. Link # 2 Extended version 1965.
