350-326-Great Vocals
350. TELL IT LIKE IT IS (1966)
Vocalist: Aaron Neville
Writer/Composer: George Davis / Lee Diamond (1966)
If you ever heard American Aaron Neville sing with his golden tenor, you’re likely not to forget it—his voice floats with a unique vibrato that quivers, remaining his signature sound. He has distinguished himself with that unmistakable trademark of bending the notes, possibly better than any other vocalist. He is the only vocalist who can give a one syllable word five to seven syllables, and it sounds so…Natural. So much so that this Jazz / Soul piece proves his covering of R&B / Pop / Blues / Country / Doo Wop is legitimate, each with his unique style. One of a kind…Absolutely Mesmerizing!
351. WHAT’S THE MATTER BABY (Is it Hurting You?) (1962)
Vocalist: Timi Yuro
Writer/Composer: Joy Byers / Clyde Otis (1962)
She’s at it again, the “little girl with the big voice,” with her 2nd number on our list. She really belts it out, with a fast-paced, pure blue-eyed Soul / Rock / R&B number, backed by Phil Spector’s wall of sound, with strings. Her masculine, full-throated, contralto voice in this offering prove she was an American treasure, a pioneer in a Rocking Blues classic that just gets better with age, like fine wine. “And I’m sorry / but I’ve got somebody new / Now my hurting is just about over / But baby, it’s just starting for you.” She didn’t mince the words, she got even, making sure the pain was evenly distributed…Profoundly Electrifying!
348. THE OLD WAYS (1991)
Vocalist: Loreena McKennitt
Writer/Composer: Loreena McKennitt (1991)
From her album The Visit, this song captures our imagination as she sings about the power of music from a boy who sings to her on a New Years night, only to lose him to the sea. This magnificent example of Celtic / New Age and Folk is a good example of how this Canadian singer / songwriter redefined New Age and made it marketable. She never falters here, and her ethereal, crystal-clear, soprano voice captures the essence of that Irish sound. Often compared to Enya but with more Middle Eastern influences, she shines here with this straight to the heart melody. Without a Doubt… Stunning!
Link # 1 Original recording in 1991. Link # 2 Live performance - flawless!
347. AM I BLUE “On with the Show” (1929)
Vocalist: Ethel Waters
Writer/Composer: Harry Akst / Grant Clarke (1929)
A remarkable find in the era of early radio, when Jazz was king and Blues had come into its own, this amazing American singer shines, her 2nd number on our list. Her stellar career took her from the mid-1920s to the 1960s, and she captivated her audience with her style as a Blues / Jazz / Vaudeville performer. She was known as a pioneer, as a sensitive interpreter of the American songbook, with a unique voice, known for maximizing the most from her lyrics. In this sensational recording, she shines, and notice the vibrato in every stanza…Truly Marvelous!
Link # 1 From the original recording in 1929. Link # 2 From the broadway play in 1929.
346. BE STILL MY BEATING HEART (1987)
Vocalist: Sting (Gordon Sumner)
Writer/Composer: Sting (Gordon Sumner) (1987)
What do you get when a gifted singer / songwriter writes a song that practically fits every genre? You get Sting? You get Pop / Jazz / Soul / R&B / Soft Rock and Folk, all rolled up into one. From his album, Nothing like the Sun, this selection informs us that the heart is the seat of motivation and everything in love comes down to feelings of the heart. Sting’s 3rd entry voice captures the heart beautifully and its World Music sound is mesmerizing. This flagship song was more of a Jazz influenced number, as this song clearly demonstrates. Kudos for studio backup…Enchanting music arrangement…Beyond Compare.
345. I STILL BELIEVE IN YOU (1992)
Vocalist: Vince Gill
Writer/Composer: Vince Gill / John Barlow Jarvis (1992)
This love ballad would be a hit in any era from this American singer / songwriter, and his stunning, soulful, high tenor is jaw dropping in its beauty. He proves it here when singing the chorus, “I Still believe in you / With a love that will always be / Standing so strong and true / Baby I still believe in you and me.” It cannot be denied that he has one of the most recognizable, stunning voices in Country / Folk music and his second song on our list validates that fact. Since his days with Pure Prairie League, his gifted guitar playing in the late 1970s has been a force. This, a breakout hit in the early 1990s…Exceptionally Flawless!
Link # 1 Official music video of in 1992. Link # 2 Outstanding live performance.
344. WHO’S SORRY NOW (1958)
Vocalist: Connie Francis
Writer/Composer: Ted Snyder / Bert Kalmer / Harry Ruby (1923)
The late 1950s and early 1960s were dominated by two female vocalists, Brenda Lee and Connie Francis. This is the song that vaulted Miss Francis to the top of the heap! She reigned as Pop queen from 1958 to 1964, conquering Pop / Rock / Country / and Novelty along the way. Her unique voice had a great full-throttle sound, lent itself to movies and TV shows, and she became the best-selling female vocalist of the early 60s. She could sing contralto and had the range of 2 to 3 octaves. She could really hold on to a note with power…She took this old song and…well, Simply Sensational!
Link # 1 Original recording of this massive hit. Link # 2 Live TV recording.
343. KAW-LIGA (1953)
Vocalist: Hank Williams
Writer/Composer: Hank Williams / Fred Rose (1951)
If a song in Country music ever ever personified Honky Tonk, or Country Blues, this is the one. “Kaw-liga was a wooden Indian, standin’ by the door / He fell in love with an Indian maid, over in the antique store / Kaw-Liga, ooh / Just stood there and never let it show / So she could never answer yes or no.” Released posthumously in 1953, it was asmash hit in Country music for 14 weeks as number one. It showed what positive influence had at the time, and the rest is history. It’s hard to tell how popular he would have been had he lived, and it’s hard to be swayed when you’re a wooden Indian…Simply Wondrous!
342. MOON RIVER “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961)
Vocalist: Andy Williams
Writer/Composer: Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer (1961)
It’s a well known fact the Andy Williams was one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century, a voice to rank with the likes of Sinatra or Bennett, but with a softer touch and a lighter tone. This song was an enormous hit, a Pop version not from the movie, but nevertheless, an astounding re-creation. Who could forget that Mancini / Mercer chorus, “We’re after that same rainbow’s end / Waiting ‘round the bend / My huckleberry friend / Moon River and me.” His tenor voice of 2 to 3 octaves is instantly recognizable; amazingly, he could hit the falsetto effortlessly, and he reigned as a hitmaker from the 1950s / 1970s…Tenderly Elegant!
Link # 1 Original recording with Henry Mancini and chorus. Link # 2 Live TV performance some years later.
341. ONE LESS BELL TO ANSWER (1970)
Vocalist: The 5th Dimension (Lead Marilyn McCoo)
Writer/Composer: Burt Bacharach / Hal David (1967)
One of the best opening lines about sadness in a song; “One less bell to answer / One less egg to fry / One less man to pick up after / I should be happy / But all I do is cry.” Wow! Great lyrics from great songwriters; and no one could deliver those like Marilyn McCoo in this Pop singing group. Riding the waves from late 1960s to the early 1970s, our lead singer could really sing with feeling, gusto and sincerity as she perfectly interpreted Pop / Show Tunes / Soul / and R&B. Her vocal quality was earning her accolades in the 1970s, a time when female voices were coming back…Stellar, Perfectly Stunning!
340. ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE “My Fair Lady” (1956)
Vocalist: Vic Damone
Writer/Composer: Frederick Loewe / Alan Jay Lerner (1956)
Vic Damone was an outstanding American vocalist of traditional Pop and Big Band, and a fine actor. His fine voice extended his career nearly a half century from 1950 to 2000, and his silky baritone voice clearly demonstrates that he had the range, the power and the elegant smoothness to sing with confidence. He recorded over 2000 songs in his career, crooning his way to infinity—it’s no surprise that Sinatra said he had the best pipes in the business. “And oh, the towering feeling / just to know somehow you are near / The overpowering feeling / that any second you may suddenly appear.”…Check it out…Flawless!
339. MY IMMORTAL (2004)
Vocalist: Evanescence (Lead Amy Lee)
Writer/Composer: Ben Moody / Amy Lee / David Hodges (1998)
This American 5-piece band crash landed in the release of their first album, Fallen and what a crash it was! This haunting song from lead frontwoman, Amy Lee, is a wonder, an astonishing vocal performance and breakout piece, giving her instant success in the world market. Featuring a spirit that’s ever-present, it takes you on a spiritual journey, not as a typical metal song, but one that may be classed as a New Metal / Indie Metal / Rock song. She has strong pipes, in the range of mezzo / soprano, and absolutely beautiful. She constantly surprises with her vocal prowess, being among the best female voices of the 21st century. Wow!…Ethereal!
Link # 1 Official 2004 music video. Link # 2 Live concert featuring Amy Lee stunning voice.
https://youtu.be/5anLPw0Efmo?si=TViegjDBFcta12h_
https://youtu.be/ANbyXGc0z4U?si=txnx-Z3btxeBG0Lc
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338. UNA FURTIVA LAGRIMA “L’eliser d’ Amour” (1971)
Vocalist: Placido Domingo (London Symphony Orch. / cond. Nello Santi)
Writer/Composer: Gaetano Donezetti (1832)
In English,“Elixer of Love,” this Italian Opera in two acts is a great test to any dynamic singer, as Spanish Opera star, Placido Domingo, makes it his own with his 4th entry on our list. With the aria, he distinguishes himself with a powerful, stupendous performance and his remarkable, rich, tenor voice really shines. As one of the most popular Opera stars spanning more than sixty years career, he still overwhelms his audience by taking on new projects, even though he has changed into a baritone in recent years. He really exerts himself here, a real show-stopper…Marvelously Captivating!om original
Link # 1 From original recording. Link # 2 From the opera, “L’eliser d ‘Amour.”
337. SHE’S IN LOVE WITH THE BOY (1991)
Vocalist: Trisha Yearwood
Writer/Composer: John Ims (1991)
This story song is one of the best ever—with a surprise ending! Trisha was among the most successful female artists in the 1990s in Country music, still going strong through the 2010s, and her influence is partly responsible for shaping Country music from the 90s on. With her strong, versatile, alto voice, she could always belt it out, similar to Linda Ronstadt. She sings harmony as well as anyone in music, singing many duets with her contemporaries. In this number, she starts with careful determination, in spite of Daddy’s objection, but when Momma intervenes…Could we ask for a better ending?…Happy amd Exhilarating!
336. TOM SAWYER (1981)
Vocalist: Rush (Lead Geddy Lee)
Writer/Composer: Neil Peart / Geddy Lee / Alex Lifeson / Pye Dubois (1981)
How could so much sound come from a 3-man Canadian band? Once in a while they had a little help, but Geddy Lee often played bass and keyboards on a track, as he does on this selection. From the mid 1970s until the new 21st century, this band has filled stadiums, and help form Progressive Rock / Rock / Jazz and Metal. Lee’s high stringent vocals are instantly recognized and unique. His 3-octave vocal tenor range may not appeal to everyone, but it doesn’t matter, it grows on you, and the main thing is he is among the premier high voiced Rock singers. Listen carefully—How musical can you get?…Exceptionally Spectacular!
Link # 1 Original recording in 1981. Link # 2 Live in concert in 2003.
335. PAPER DOLL (1943)
Vocalist: The Mills Brothers (Leads Donald & Herbert)
Writer/Composer: Johnny S. Black (1942)
This was the bestselling song of 1943 / 1944. Their 3rd entry on our list spent 12 consecutive weeks at number one and sold 6 million records, and later 10 million records worldwide, over 1 million copies of sheet music. It was in the middle of WWll, and it stayed on the charts for 40 weeks. Why? Because of the simplicity of the tune, perfect 4-point harmony of the group and the imagination it embraced for those desperate times. Two of the brothers sang solo, then all four joined in. It’s truly an American treasure to listen to this group—they sold over 50 million records in their career. They made Jazz become traditional Pop…Simply Superb!
Link 3 1 Live performance in the 1940s Link # 2 Original recording from the movie.
334. I TRY (1999)
Vocalist: Macy Gray
Writer/Composer: Macy Gray / Dave Wilder / Jinsoo Lim / Jeremy Lazuma (1999)
American R&B / Soul / Jazz singer / songwriter is known for her raspy, contralto bass / vocals. As soon as she says, “Goodbye and I choke, / I try to walk away and I stumble / Though I try to hide it, it’s clear / My world crumbles when you are not here.” we know we’re goners. One writer referred to her vocal as a “Delicious, gravelly voice, which sound like it’s made of smoke and scotch.” One thing is for certain, you’ve never heard a voice like hers—it’s rough, sensitive, heartbreaking and vulnerable. Check out the pain in this heartbreaking song and dig that layered harmony…Deliciously Aching!
333. WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS (1969)
Vocalist: Joe Cocker / and Friends
Writer/Composer: John Lennon / Paul McCartney (1967)
When Joe Cocker sings…everybody listens! Why? Maybe it’s disbelief, you think you may be witnessing a constricting muscle spasm, but you’re not—you're just witnessing his musical act, from one of his great, bluesy, raspy and Soulful Rock performances. Known for perhaps one of the most recognizable voices in Rock / Blues, this British singer would often perform, as he did at Woodstock, with screeching and growling in his tarnished voice, usually a cover song, and pretend to play air guitar and keyboards. Whatever he did, it worked—He hijacked this Beatle song, and made it his own…A Shattering, Jaw-dropping Experience!
Link # 1 Live concert performance. Link # 2 Original recording in 1969.
332. BABY THE RAIN MUST FALL “Baby the Rain Must Fall” (1966)
Vocalist: Glenn Yarborough
Writer/Composer: Elmer Bernstein / Ernie Sheldon (1965)
Formerly of the Limelighters, this American singer specialized in Folk music, and as one writer put it, he possessed “a vibrancy that sweeps over the audience and envelopes it.” He truly had a rich, lyrical, tenor delivery with a vibrato that played into an extraordinary quiver, giving his voice a musical sound unlike any other singer. After the 1960s and on through the 1990s, he lent his voice to movies and television vocal presentations. His voice was so unmistakable, he endeared himself to his audiences. This voice of the century was Absolutely Sublime!
331. HABANERA - L’AMOUR EST UN OINSEAU REBELLE “Carmen” (1957)
Vocalist: Rise Stevens (RCA Victor Orch. / Fritz Reiner cond.)
Writer/Composer: George Bizet (1875)
From the award-winning movie “Going My Way” she sang this piece, accompanied by the Robert Mitchell Boys Choir, a stirring rendition from this very difficult to master Opera. What a stunning performance it was! As an American mezzo / soprano, she sang for the Metropolitan Opera from the 1940s through into the 1960s. As a contralto with this number, her rich, fluent delivery a thing of beauty, often hitting the high notes with ease and restraint. It was a marvelous showcase for a woman whose voice was insured for a $1,000.000, and she was among the few Classical stars that brought attention to her craft…Delicate and Sensational!
330. SCARBOROUGH FAIR (Canticle) (1968)
Vocalist: Simon & Garfunkel
Writer/Composer: Paul Simon (1968)
This elegant display of impeccable harmony is the duo’s third entry on our list, and what a beautiful composition and collaboration it is! With breathtaking melody and perfect pitch, they thread the needle with such glorious harmonies that some say they could sing the dictionary, but in this case, they just sing poetry. The song was initially a 17th century Folk ballad, and the Canticle was sung by Art to juxtapose the countermelody as a casualty of war. Result—their voices blend and lilt in such a way that some consider this on of the best duets in music history. What do you think?…Absolutely Celestial in their Delivery!
Link #1 Original recording in 1968. Link #2 From the Andy Williams TV show in 1969.
329. THIS WOMAN’S WORK (2001)
Vocalist: Maxwell (Gerald Maxwell Rivera)
Writer/Composer: Kate Bush (1983)
A voice like this comes but once in a generation—He takes this classic Kate Bush song and makes it his own. “Being forced to confront an unexpected crisis during pregnancy,” it’s written form a male’s point of view. Maxwell’s falsetto is in charge here, he masters it, and takes it to an unbelievable level, never tripping on the intended melody. Capable of almost 3-octaves, the singer’s voice is a wonder to behold, not resorting or depending on vocal theatrics to prove his point. His silky-smooth delivery is now legendary, in spite of major physical setbacks…Absolutely Haunting!
Link # 1 Original recording in 2001. Link # 2 Live performance in 2003.
328. DOWN TO THE RIVER TO PRAY “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000)
Vocalist: Alison Krause
Writer/Composer: Traditional (many versions) / Carolyn M. Omine (1867?)
This cover of a traditional song brought this 2nd entry for Allison Krause and from the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou.” A song of unknown origin though it seems to be Gospel, it really is a black Spiritual / Appalachian song, covering Country, Bluegrass, and Folk. It provides our artist with a tour-de-force, whose voice reaches heavenly bliss with this amazing number, bringing it back to life all over again. With impeccable harmony in this offering, consisting of laying down tracks as each verse progresses, she truly hits it out the park with these crystal-clear harmonies…Unparalleled in its Excellence, Truly Inspirational!
Link # 1 Live performance with Union Station in 2003. Link # 2 From the soundtrack of “O Brother, Where Art Thou.”
327. OVER THE RAINBOW (1992)
Vocalist: Eva Cassidy (Please read Ted Gioia’s comments on this performance from The Honest Broker)
Writer/Composer: Harold Arlen / Yip Harburg (1939)
Sometimes great songs get covered, only to slip through the cracks of pop culture, to be forgotten by succeeding generations—Not this one! This Jazz cover with only her guitar is…stunning! From her first self-financed album Live at the Blues Alley, she interpreted this masterpiece with such heart-touching sincerity, you forgot all about Judy Garland’s performance. Yet when you discover the back story of Eva’s performance, you soon know why new tears will flow. She did not receive the financial reward nor the fame when this song was recorded—she passed away shortly afterward at 33…A Musical Epiphany!
326. FASCINATION (1957)
Vocalist: Jane Morgan and the Troubadours
Writer/Composer: Fermo Dante Marchetti / Maurice de Feraudy (1905)
In the midst of 1957, a stellar year for recording artists, came a hit from this singer that spent 29 weeks on the charts. Her biggest hit was a song written in 1905, and with the five-piece band, the Troubadours, she conquered America by bringing this song from France. She was much more popular in Europe than she was here and was multilingual, sticking exclusively to Pop and Show Tunes from the American songbook. Her contralto voice was stunning with remarkable clarity, purity and phrasing, as this selection clearly shows. Her sound and versatility is Nostalgic and Romantic…Table for Two, Anyone?
Link # 1 Original recording from the movie, “Love in the Afternoon.” Link # 2 Live from the Ed Sullivan TV show in 1957.
