Friday, February 6, 2015

CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS
THE TOP 100
#46 THIS GUY'S IN LOVE WITH YOU
HERB ALPERT
(1968)
Writers: Burt Bacharach & Hal David
The first letter in the label A&M Records stands for Alpert, as in Herb Alpert. He formed the record company with business partner Jerry Moss in 1962. Starting with acts such as Sergio Mendes and Brazil '66 and, later, Joe Cocker and Cat Stevens; A&M was to boast acts that included The Carpenters, Supertramp, Peter Frampton and The Police in subsequent decades. Alpert himself recorded for the label, as a soloist and with the group Tijuana Brass. In 1968, he scored a global hit with "This Guy's In Love With You". 
Alpert started playing the trumpet as an 8 year old. Reaching adulthood, his musical aspirations were interrupted by a stint in the army. Alpert pursued his ambition once his service was over. He played music in various films, most notably on 'The Ten Commandments'. In 1957, he began collaborating with Lou Adler. They penned Sam Cooke's "Wonderful World" together. This led to more songwriting for acts that included Jan and Dean.
Next, Alpert led a studio group named The Tijuana Brass for the new label he had founded with Moss. He later gathered musicians to form a fully fledged group. After charting with several Tijuana Brass singles, Alpert was to star in his own TV special in the US. He searched for a special song to sing on the show to his then wife Sharon. Alpert selected "This Guy's In Love With You". This proved a wise choice: CBS' switchboard received thousands of calls asking where the single could be purchased. A&M released it that same week. Moss and Alpert co-produced the recording. After years of instrumental hits, this song featured the latter not only on trumpet, but singing lead vocals. 
"This Guy's In Love..." reached #1 on the American Pop & AC charts. It also made the top in Australia. Its success gave Alpert his 1st #1. It was also the 1st for songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Alpert recorded Spanish and Italian versions of his hit song. 
The ballad has subsequently been covered by various performers. Dusty Springfield cut a scorching take in 1968 (entitled "This Girl's In Love With You"). Dionne Warwick, who was the usual recipient of Bacharach / David compositions, reached the Top 10 with her interpretation  a year after Alpert's hit. Aretha Franklin's gospel/ soul rendition emerged in 1970. Australian group The Reels covered the hit in 1982. Recent remakes of note include versions by Barry Manilow in 2006 and Australian trumpeter/ vocalist Carl Riseley in 2008. 
Alpert sang lead on 2 more singles: "To Wait For Love" (the follow-up to "This Guy's In Love...") and "Without Her" in 1969, but neither matched the beauty of "This Guy's In Love...". Alpert did reach #1 again in the USA, with the instrumental "Rise" in 1979.

This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
A new song from the remaining Top 100 is added each weekday, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.

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