Thursday, December 31, 2015

2015 YEAR IN REVIEW: LEST WE FORGET (MUSIC).
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The Caffe` Latte`
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
2015
Lest We Forget (Music)
B.B. KING
Legendary guitarist who influenced electric blues in the 1950s.

BEN E. KING
Lead singer with The Drifters before going solo. Sang “Save The Last Dance For Me”, “There Goes MY Baby”, “Stand By Me” & “Spanish Harlem”.

ALLEN TOUSSAINT
Influenced the sound of soul in New Orleans.

JAMES HORNER
Film composer for films, including ‘Titanic’ & ‘Braveheart’.

SCOTT WEILAND
Lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots & Velvet Revolver.

CHRIS SQUIRE
Bassist & founding member of Yes.

PERCY SLEDGE
R&B singer (“When A Man Loves A Woman”).

CYNTHIA ROBINSON
Member of Sly & The Family Stone.

ERROLL BROWN
Lead singer of Hot Chocolate (“You Sexy Thing”).

LOUIS JOHNSON
Member of The Brothers Johnson (“Stomp”) and contributed to albums ‘Thriller’ & ‘Bad’.

LESLEY GORE
60s pop singer (“It’s My Party” & “You Don’t Own Me”).

DEMIS ROUSSOS
International chart sensation from Greece.

LYNN ANDERSON
Country singer; had a hit with “Rose Garden” in 1970s.

MIKE PORCARO
Member of Toto; played on hits “Africa” & “Rosanna”.

STEVE STRANGE
Singer with Visage (“Fade To Grey”).

KIM FOWLEY
Pivotal in the career of group The Runaways which included Joan Jett.

CYNTHIA LENNON
John Lennon’s first wife & mother of Julian Lennon, she wrote books about the former Beatle.


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The Caffe` Latte`
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
2015
Lest We Forget

 
STEVIE WRIGHT
Back in the 1960s, The Easybeats became a homegrown major act on the Australian music scene. The group took its music beyond our borders. In 1966-7, the band charted internationally; reaching #1 in Australia and the Netherlands, #6 in the UK and #16 in the USA. David Bowie covered the song on his 1973 album 'Pin Ups'. Bruce Springsteen performed the song live with his E Street Band in 2014 while touring Australia. The group's lead vocalist was Stevie Wright who lent his voice to hits such as "Sorry", "She's So Fine", "Wedding Ring" and "Come And See Her". He was aged 16 when the band formed.
The band ceased working together in 1970. Harry Vanda and George Young went on to play a new role in shaping Australian music during the 1970s as songwriters/ producers. They created hits for AC/DC, John Paul Young and others. They formed the duo Flash & The Pan. 
Wright enjoyed a strong start to his solo career. His single "Evie" was an epic track running for over 11 minutes. Vanda & Young wrote and produced the hit. The single reached #1 in 1974.
Wright had a long battle with drugs and alcohol. Sadly, he passed away December 27, 2015. He was aged 68.

FRIDAY ON MY MIND:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnqxbdnzlhw

EVIE: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPveBD6WWXc

Hardroadcover1.jpg 

For more about The Easybeats & Stevie Wright: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhXIEqoohfs
TOP 100 SONGS OF 2015. This update: #60-56. The countdown continues tomorrow.
The Caffe` Latte`
TOP 100 SONGS OF
2015
#60 HERE WE GO AGAIN Cazzi Opeia
Swedish singer Cazzi Opeia dropped a remake of "Here We Go Again" with some tweaks to the original song's structure. Let's hope this track gets a go in 2016 around the globe.


Here We Go Again - CazziOpeia

#59 PERFECT One Direction
1D go from strength to strength with this pop delight, offering swooning fans an insight into the pros & cons of dating them. The single shot to the Top 10 in the UK, USA, Australia, Europe, New Zealand and South Africa.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho32Oh6b4jc&list=RDHo32Oh6b4jc#t=0

      

#58 I AM YOURS The Makemakes
Vienna hosted 2015's ESC. Austria's entry this year was "I Am Yours", a well executed song but the performance at the final was distracting. Sadly, the fine song ended up attracting no points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duW-PsDbysg

    

#57 FIRST TIME Icona Pop
Electropop duo Icona Pop issued the 'Emergency' EP which contained the relatable track "First Time". It ought to be out as a single!



#56 START AGAIN Conrad Sewell
The Australian singer / songwriter Conrad Sewell kickstarted his chart run in 2015. Second single was the heartfelt track "Start Again" which topped the chart in his homeland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-OqF9qagNk

 

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

2015 YEAR IN REVIEW: THE FILMS.
The Caffe` Latte`
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
The Best Movies Of
2015
#1 HOLDING THE MAN
Holding the Man, Australian release poster, 2015.jpg
The Australian film is based on Timothy Conigrave's relationship with JJohn Caleo. The 2 met at school in Melbourne, fell in love and years later both discovered they were HIV+. The movie is funny, endearing and had me still crying days later. A must-see true story adapted from a must-read novel. 

#2 STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
 Star Wars The Force Awakens Theatrical Poster.jpg
Finally, the 7th instalment and the best movie in the 'Star Wars' franchise. It delivers from start to finish with no dull moments. Bring on Part VIII!

#3 SPECTRE
 James Bond, holding a gun and standing next to Dr. Swann in front of a masked man, with the film's title and credits
Wow! An action-packed new Bond film kept the franchise fresh and relevant. The question now is whether this will be Daniel Craig's final film as 007.

#4 THE MARTIAN
 The tired and worn face of a man wearing a space suit, with the words "Bring Him Home" overlayed in white lettering. In smaller lettering the name "Matt Damon" and the title "The Martian"
Matt Damon does an incredible job carrying the film almost single-handedly. It is a fascinating premise and makes science sexy. 

#5 THE 33
 The 33 (film) poster.jpg
This film celebrates the story of the trapped Chilean miners and their dramatic rescue in 2010. Antonio Banderas and Lou Diamond Phillips star.

THE TOP 100 SONGS OF 2015. This update: #65-61. The countdown continues tomorrow.
The Caffe` Latte`
TOP 100 SONGS OF
2015
#65 TOM'S DINER Giorgio Moroder featuring Britney Spears
Master producer Giorgio Moroder finally delivered his best solo album in 2015. The legend had produced hits for the likes of Donna Summer, Blondie, Irene Cara and many others. The material was original with the exception of "Tom's Diner". Here, Britney Spears contributes lead vocals on the remake of the Suzanne Vega song from 1987.

   
 
#64 EX'S & OH'S Elle King
Mistaken use of apostrophes aside, American singer Elle King introduced herself to a pop audience with debut hit "Ex's & Oh's". The catchy Southern rock /pop track is catchy; coming across as a modern-day version of "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'". King reached the Top 10 in the USA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uLI6BnVh6w

      

#63 THIS SUMMER'S GONNA HURT LIKE A MOTHERF---ER Maroon 5
US group Maroon 5 extended its string of hit songs with a new summer anthem. It charted around the world.

    

#62 UNDER THE MAKEUP A-Ha
A-Ha had called it quits years ago, and so it was a delight to see the Norwegian trio return with a brand new album in 2015. "Under The Makeup" was a return to form for this underrated group. Forever remembered for 80s pop #1 "Take On Me", the trio have created some sonic gems since.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdD9F_WChSQ


#61 I WON'T TELL A SOUL Charlie Puth
Cute American singer songwriter Charlie Puth has been a dominant chart force throughout 2015. "I Won't Tell A Soul" is a track from his 'Some Type Of Love' EP. The song is delivered in a 1950s style, reminiscent of the doo wop / vocal groups. A full album is scheduled for 2016.

Some Type of Love EP Charlie Puth Album Cover.png

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

200 FAVE ALBUMS. This update: #102. This countdown continues next week.
THE CAFFE` LATTE`
200
MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS
Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included. This is a personal listing of the albums I enjoy the most to this day.
#102
EXTENSION OF A MAN: 
DONNY HATHAWAY
 Extension.of.a.man.jpg
 [1973] 
Donny Hathaway's magnum opus 'Extension of a Man' is aptly named. This is an album where the gifted and lauded vocalist takes his music into an array of directions. His starting point is R&B / soul but from there, Hathaway serves up tracks as different as "Valdez in the Country" and "Magdalena". Opening track "I Love The Lord, He Heard Me Cry Parts 1 & 2" is a lush orchestral piece arranged by Hathaway. He takes a soul love song to lofty heights with "Love, Love, Love" and "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know". If this album only had 1 track and that song was "Someday We'll All Be Free", it would suffice. Hathaway is at his best here: vocally and musically. This remains a pivotal civil rights watershed recording. Sadly, his career was cut short. He is far from a household name, but cited as an influence by many respected musicians. 'Extension of a Man' is Hathaway's 'What's Going On'. Highlight tracks: Someday We'll All Be Free; Love. Love, Love & I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know.
THE TOP 100 SONGS OF 2015. This update: #70-66. The countdown continues tomorrow.
The Caffe` Latte`
TOP 100 SONGS OF
2015
#70 BED OF STONE Asa
Nigerian- French singer/songwriter / producer Asa released her 3rd studio album in mid-2014. It was a stunning collection of songs. "Bed Of Stone" is its title track, It is a shame this talented artist is not better known outside France. 

Bed-of-Stone-album.jpg

#69 NO FIREWALL Mørland
Norwegian-born artist Kjetil Mørland is better known by just his surname. He has lived most of his existence in England. "No Firewall" was a solo single released following his Top 10 finish at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest. That duet, "A Monster Like Me", is also on this Top 100.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=182rPXuEqr0

 No-Firewall_Sleeve-Web   

#68 TRUE FAITH Sophie Ellis-Bextor
English singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor covered the New Order 1980s dance hit for the BBC's late 2014 'Sounds of the 80s' CD which featured today's pop stars remaking hits from that decade. 



#67 BUTTERFLY GIRL Duran Duran featuring John Frusciante
Duran Duran owed a good deal of its success during the Eighties to the band's video clips being on heavy rotation on MTV. In 2015, the British group dropped its best album; ever. 'Paper Gods' contains the track "Butterfly Girl" which features former member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers John Frusciante on electric guitar. 

duran duran

#66 ONE LIFE Helena Paparizou
Greek- Swedish singer Helena Paparizou brought victory to Greece at the ESC with the song "You're My Number One" in 2005."One Life" is the title track from her 2014 English language album.

Helen.paparizou.one.life.2014.jpg