One film currently out I'd like to see is "Cadillac records" which is about Chess records in Chicago.
I see Beyonce plays the part of Etta James and its causing some argument between music fans to who does the best version of the classic love song "At Last". Must admit I would go for Etta as this song belongs to her but at the same time I'm impressed with Beyonces version.
Thing is searching the internet this song has been performed by some superb female singers so I ask you the question of which version you prefer :-
Etta James :-
Beyonce :-
Cyndi Lauper :-
Christina Anguilera :-
Eva Cassidy :-
Celine Dion :-
For the record I'm going for :-
1. Etta
2. Celine
3. Eva
4. Beyonce
5. Christina
6. Cyndi
Its very difficult and you could put them in any order.
Showing posts with label Music - You Choose. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music - You Choose. Show all posts
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Monday, 14 April 2008
Music Monday - Groups with Numbers
Just for a bit of a novelty this week I've decided to post groups with numbers in their name. I don't mean groups whose name includes the number of people in the group (eg. Dave Clark 5, Jackson 5, Three Degrees, Four Tops, etc) but groups with a number for totally different reasons.
Obviously this will give us a very wide range of music for you to pick your favorite from.
1. 10CC "Rubber Bullets" - This 1973 chart topper (their 2nd single) was one of 3 songs that reached No1 for this excellent group. The group featured the renowned song writing duo Godley & Creme. The group went through a number of names before manager Jonathan King gave them the name 10CC, apparently he had a dream that he was standing outside Hammersmith Odeon and the billboard said "10cc the best band in the world".
2. B-52'S "Love Shack" - This 1990 hit was the biggest UK hit for this American New Wave Group when it reached No2 in the charts in 1990. The group is from Athens Georgia (same place as REM). The band's name comes from a particular beehive hairdo resembling the nose cone of the airplane of the same name.
3. UB40 "Red Red Wine" - This made top spot in 1983 for this Birmingham group on of many hits they have had in the UK. They were formed when a group of unemployed musicians got together and their name comes from the number on a unemployment card.
4. Sham 69 "If the Kids are United" - This Punk anthem reached No9 in the charts in 1978 for the group with a big cult following. Apparently the group took its name from som graffiti that singer/songwriter Jimmy Pursey saw on a wall in Hersham, Surrey. Apparently the first 3 letters had washed off due to the weather.
5. Haircut 100 "Love Plus One" - The 1980's was the era of the new romantics and this group formed by lead singer Nick Heyward were one of the groups that came to the for. This song was their biggest hit when it reached No3 in 1982. The group broke up in 1983 when Heyward pursued a solo career. And I haven't a clue where their name comes from so can anyone help here ?
So which do you like ?
Obviously this will give us a very wide range of music for you to pick your favorite from.
1. 10CC "Rubber Bullets" - This 1973 chart topper (their 2nd single) was one of 3 songs that reached No1 for this excellent group. The group featured the renowned song writing duo Godley & Creme. The group went through a number of names before manager Jonathan King gave them the name 10CC, apparently he had a dream that he was standing outside Hammersmith Odeon and the billboard said "10cc the best band in the world".
2. B-52'S "Love Shack" - This 1990 hit was the biggest UK hit for this American New Wave Group when it reached No2 in the charts in 1990. The group is from Athens Georgia (same place as REM). The band's name comes from a particular beehive hairdo resembling the nose cone of the airplane of the same name.
3. UB40 "Red Red Wine" - This made top spot in 1983 for this Birmingham group on of many hits they have had in the UK. They were formed when a group of unemployed musicians got together and their name comes from the number on a unemployment card.
4. Sham 69 "If the Kids are United" - This Punk anthem reached No9 in the charts in 1978 for the group with a big cult following. Apparently the group took its name from som graffiti that singer/songwriter Jimmy Pursey saw on a wall in Hersham, Surrey. Apparently the first 3 letters had washed off due to the weather.
5. Haircut 100 "Love Plus One" - The 1980's was the era of the new romantics and this group formed by lead singer Nick Heyward were one of the groups that came to the for. This song was their biggest hit when it reached No3 in 1982. The group broke up in 1983 when Heyward pursued a solo career. And I haven't a clue where their name comes from so can anyone help here ?
So which do you like ?
Monday, 7 April 2008
Music Monday - North American Ladies of Rock
Another post for you to choose your favorite from, this week I'm looking at "North American Ladies of Rock" yes the ladies that have fronted a Rock Group and made the top ten in the Charts with their first UK hit.
So who do you like among this lot :-
1. Joan Jett (and the blackhearts) "I love Rock & Roll - It was 1982 when this Classic made No4 for this american Lady.
2. Debbie Harry (Blondie) "Denis" - It was 1978 when the UK first saw the lovely Debbie and this song made No2, Blondie grew to cult status having many more top ten hits including 6 reaching No1.
3. Suzi Quatro "Can the Can" - It was 1973 when Suzi stormed the British Charts reaching the No1 spot with her first hit, anyone remember her appearing with the Fonz in happy days.
4. Avril Lavigne "Complicated" - Ok I'd better add a Canadian, but this 2002 debut single reached No3 in the UK Chart.
5. Patti Smith (group) "Because the Night" - It was 1978 when this Rock classic made No5 in the UK Chart.
So who do you like among this lot :-
1. Joan Jett (and the blackhearts) "I love Rock & Roll - It was 1982 when this Classic made No4 for this american Lady.
2. Debbie Harry (Blondie) "Denis" - It was 1978 when the UK first saw the lovely Debbie and this song made No2, Blondie grew to cult status having many more top ten hits including 6 reaching No1.
3. Suzi Quatro "Can the Can" - It was 1973 when Suzi stormed the British Charts reaching the No1 spot with her first hit, anyone remember her appearing with the Fonz in happy days.
4. Avril Lavigne "Complicated" - Ok I'd better add a Canadian, but this 2002 debut single reached No3 in the UK Chart.
5. Patti Smith (group) "Because the Night" - It was 1978 when this Rock classic made No5 in the UK Chart.
Monday, 31 March 2008
Music Monday - 90's Anthems
For today's "You Choose" I've decided to bring us a little more up to date and look at the groups that came to the for in the 1990's. In Britain a lot of "Indie" groups appeared on the scene producing numerous good tracks and I've selected five today for you to choose a favorite from.
I think the tracks I've picked give a good indication of the style of music during that period but there are many more I could have picked.
As normal you can vote for the track you prefer on my sidebar as well as comment on this post.
1. Stone Roses "I am the Resurrection" - Although its a tough choice this is my personal favorite song of the 1990's although it has its roots in the late 80's. It was the final track of the groups first album in 1989 but wasn't released as a single until 1992. It is a great surprise it only reached No33 in the chart but later was rated by "Q" Magazine as No10 in its list of greatest guitar tracks of all time. Rolling Stone Magazine rated it No8 greatest Indie anthem ever.
2. The Verve "The Drugs don't Work" - This song from Richard Ashcrofts from their top class album "Urban Hymms" reached the top spot in the UK Chart in September 1987. It was credited on Channal 4's top 100 No1's as caputuring the spirit of the nation as it was released the day after the death of Princess Diana.
3. Manic Street Preachers "If You Tolerate This your children will be next" - This 1998 UK No1 single from this welsh group made the Guiness book of records. Apparently it as the longest title without brackets of any song making the top spot. The song is about the Spanish Civil war about rebels fighting Franco's facist regime and was inspired by The Clash song "Spanish Bombs".
4. Oasis "Wonderwall" - Although many fans of this Manchester supergroup consider this their best single it was actually kept off top spot in the UK charts by Robson & Jerome. It did reach No8 in the US Hot 100 so far the only Oasis song to break into the top ten. It has continued to sell since its 1995 release and has entered the top 100 selling songs of all time.
The song actually takes its title from the 1968 George Harrison album "Wonderwall Music".
5. Stereophonics "The Bartender and the Thief" - When we are talking 1990's groups we've of course got to mention the Stereophonis, hell their lead singer Kelly Jones is a Leeds fan.
For the record this song released in 1998 made No'3 in the UK Chart.
So what do you think ?
I think the tracks I've picked give a good indication of the style of music during that period but there are many more I could have picked.
As normal you can vote for the track you prefer on my sidebar as well as comment on this post.
1. Stone Roses "I am the Resurrection" - Although its a tough choice this is my personal favorite song of the 1990's although it has its roots in the late 80's. It was the final track of the groups first album in 1989 but wasn't released as a single until 1992. It is a great surprise it only reached No33 in the chart but later was rated by "Q" Magazine as No10 in its list of greatest guitar tracks of all time. Rolling Stone Magazine rated it No8 greatest Indie anthem ever.
2. The Verve "The Drugs don't Work" - This song from Richard Ashcrofts from their top class album "Urban Hymms" reached the top spot in the UK Chart in September 1987. It was credited on Channal 4's top 100 No1's as caputuring the spirit of the nation as it was released the day after the death of Princess Diana.
3. Manic Street Preachers "If You Tolerate This your children will be next" - This 1998 UK No1 single from this welsh group made the Guiness book of records. Apparently it as the longest title without brackets of any song making the top spot. The song is about the Spanish Civil war about rebels fighting Franco's facist regime and was inspired by The Clash song "Spanish Bombs".
4. Oasis "Wonderwall" - Although many fans of this Manchester supergroup consider this their best single it was actually kept off top spot in the UK charts by Robson & Jerome. It did reach No8 in the US Hot 100 so far the only Oasis song to break into the top ten. It has continued to sell since its 1995 release and has entered the top 100 selling songs of all time.
The song actually takes its title from the 1968 George Harrison album "Wonderwall Music".
5. Stereophonics "The Bartender and the Thief" - When we are talking 1990's groups we've of course got to mention the Stereophonis, hell their lead singer Kelly Jones is a Leeds fan.
For the record this song released in 1998 made No'3 in the UK Chart.
So what do you think ?
Monday, 24 March 2008
Music Monday - Cover Versions
To be honest I've always had the opinion that when Cover versions of songs are produced they can never surpass the origional. However thats probably not totally true although in the majority of cases possibly is.
So anyway that brings me to this weeks post, listen to these songs and the origionals then vote on my sidebar which you feel is best.
Song One - Route 66, of course everyone thinks of the classic Rolling Stones song but is the origional by Nat King Cole better, tell me what you think ?
Stones -
Nat -
Song Two - You'll Never walk Alone, yes the Gerry and the Pacemakers Liverpool anthem from 1964 was a cover version, the origional recording was by Frank Sinatra back in 1945, interesting one ?
Pacemakers -
Sinatra -
Song 3 - Finally Tainted Love that 1981 classic from Soft Cell was also a cover version of a recording back in 1964 by Gloria Jones, how do you compare ?
Soft Cell -
Gloria Jones -
So anyway that brings me to this weeks post, listen to these songs and the origionals then vote on my sidebar which you feel is best.
Song One - Route 66, of course everyone thinks of the classic Rolling Stones song but is the origional by Nat King Cole better, tell me what you think ?
Stones -
Nat -
Song Two - You'll Never walk Alone, yes the Gerry and the Pacemakers Liverpool anthem from 1964 was a cover version, the origional recording was by Frank Sinatra back in 1945, interesting one ?
Pacemakers -
Sinatra -
Song 3 - Finally Tainted Love that 1981 classic from Soft Cell was also a cover version of a recording back in 1964 by Gloria Jones, how do you compare ?
Soft Cell -
Gloria Jones -
Monday, 17 March 2008
Music Monday - The Kinks
Again this week I'm going to ask you to vote, I'm featuring one of my favorite groups from the 1960's The Kinks.
The Kinks first gained prominence in 1964 with the hit single "You really got Me", written by Ray Davies (it was their third single). The band's name came from their "kinky" dress sense of leather capes and boots worn on stage. The group's original line-up consisted of Ray Davies on Vocals & rythem guitar, Brother Dave Davies on Lead Guitar, Peter Quaife on Bass and Mick Avory on drums.
The Davies brothers were known to be allways at war with each other and the increasingly deteriorating relationship, and a string of unsuccessful records brought a eventual break-up of the band in the mid-90s. Rumours of Kinks reunion are vague and bandmembers have since embarked on solo careers.
Ray Davies who is currently performing successfully as a solo artist, recently commented that he is very willing to reform the band; however, his morbid relationship with his brother is still an obstacle to an eventual reunion.
Whatever the band's fortunes, however, their influence on emerging artists has been a constant. During the New Wave era, groups such as The Jam, The Knack, The Stranglers & The Pretenders covered Kinks songs and Britpop acts such as Blur, Oasis & Supergrass have cited them as a major influence. Many modern bands such as The Killers, The Libertines and Franz Ferdinand also acknowledge The Kinks and Ray Davies' expert songwriting skills. As self-professed Kinks fan Pete Townsend said for The History of Rock 'n' Roll: "The Kinks were much more quintessentially English. I always think that Ray Davies should one day be Poet Laureate. He invented a new kind of poetry and a new kind of language for pop writing that influenced me from the very, very, very beginning."
For the record The Kinks had many chart hits especially during the golden years 1964 to 1972 including 3 chart toppers & no fewer than 10 others making the top 10.
Anyway I'm posting 5 of my favorite Kinks songs (although I could add a lot more)and todays choice which do you prefer :-
(You can vote on my sidebar)
1. Waterloo Sunset
2. Sunny Afternoon
3. Celluloid Heroes
4. Lola
5. All Day and all of the night
The Kinks first gained prominence in 1964 with the hit single "You really got Me", written by Ray Davies (it was their third single). The band's name came from their "kinky" dress sense of leather capes and boots worn on stage. The group's original line-up consisted of Ray Davies on Vocals & rythem guitar, Brother Dave Davies on Lead Guitar, Peter Quaife on Bass and Mick Avory on drums.
The Davies brothers were known to be allways at war with each other and the increasingly deteriorating relationship, and a string of unsuccessful records brought a eventual break-up of the band in the mid-90s. Rumours of Kinks reunion are vague and bandmembers have since embarked on solo careers.
Ray Davies who is currently performing successfully as a solo artist, recently commented that he is very willing to reform the band; however, his morbid relationship with his brother is still an obstacle to an eventual reunion.
Whatever the band's fortunes, however, their influence on emerging artists has been a constant. During the New Wave era, groups such as The Jam, The Knack, The Stranglers & The Pretenders covered Kinks songs and Britpop acts such as Blur, Oasis & Supergrass have cited them as a major influence. Many modern bands such as The Killers, The Libertines and Franz Ferdinand also acknowledge The Kinks and Ray Davies' expert songwriting skills. As self-professed Kinks fan Pete Townsend said for The History of Rock 'n' Roll: "The Kinks were much more quintessentially English. I always think that Ray Davies should one day be Poet Laureate. He invented a new kind of poetry and a new kind of language for pop writing that influenced me from the very, very, very beginning."
For the record The Kinks had many chart hits especially during the golden years 1964 to 1972 including 3 chart toppers & no fewer than 10 others making the top 10.
Anyway I'm posting 5 of my favorite Kinks songs (although I could add a lot more)and todays choice which do you prefer :-
(You can vote on my sidebar)
1. Waterloo Sunset
2. Sunny Afternoon
3. Celluloid Heroes
4. Lola
5. All Day and all of the night
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Music Monday - Best Solo Beatle
Ok My friends for my music post here is one for you to give your opinion on -
Who is your favorite Solo Beatle (you can comment here and vote on my sidebar) ?
1. Ringo
2. George
3. Paul
4. John
Personally I'm voting for George, always liked his song writing skills and he was one of the great guitarists. Saying that its a tough choice, I'd probably go for John 2nd.
Who is your favorite Solo Beatle (you can comment here and vote on my sidebar) ?
1. Ringo
2. George
3. Paul
4. John
Personally I'm voting for George, always liked his song writing skills and he was one of the great guitarists. Saying that its a tough choice, I'd probably go for John 2nd.
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