Friday, July 31, 2015

THE ALL-TIME CAMPEST #1s EVER! This update: #40-36. This countdown continues next week.
THE ALL-TIME TOP 100
CAMPEST
#1 SINGLES
(1960 - 2015)
The 100 campest chart topping singles in the USA or UK.
36 YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN & JOHN TRAVOLTA
UK & USA (1978)
37 I'VE NEVER BEEN TO ME
CHArLENE
UK (1982)
 
38 THE POWER OF LOVE
JENNIFER RUSH
UK (1985)
 
39 NO MORE TEARS (ENOUGH IS ENOUGH)
DONNA SUMMER & BARBRA STREISAND
USA (1979)
40 FLASHDANCE...WHAT A FEELING
IRENE CARA
USA (1983)
 
200 BEST ALBUMS. Update:  #171. 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.
#171
 VenusandMarsalbumcover.jpg
VENUS AND MARS: 
PAUL McCARTNEY & WINGS
 [1975] 
For 'Venus And Mars', Paul McCartney expanded the Wings line-up. This is a more cohesive ensemble effort. Hindered at times by the overindulgent tendency that the former Beatle falls victim to so often on record, this album is saved by some of his best Wings era tracks. When the planets do align, McCartney delivers in spades. There are irresistible pop hooks aplenty on songs such as "Listen To What The Man Said" and "Magneto And Titanium Man". Wings rock out on "Rock Show" and "Letting Go". McCartney offers some lovely ballads such as "Love In Song" and the title track. Ignore the cheesy fluff and enjoy the quality selections. Highlight tracks: Magneto And Titanium Man; Letting Go; Listen To What The Man Said.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

CAMPEST #1s. Update: #45-41. More songs added tomorrow.
THE ALL-TIME TOP 100
CAMPEST
#1 SINGLES
(1960 - 2015)
The 100 campest chart topping singles in the USA or UK.
41 STAND BY YOUR MAN
TAmmY WYNETTE
UK (1975)
 
42 TOP OF THE WORLD
THE CARPENTERS
USA (1973)
43 LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOY
DENIECE WILLIAMS
USA (1984)
 
44 9 TO 5 (MORNING TRAIN)
SHEENA EASTON
USA (1981)
45 YOU SPIN ME ROUND (LIKE A RECORD)
DEAD OR ALIVE
UK (1985)
 
200 BEST ALBUMS. Update:  #172. This countdown continues tomorrow.
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.
#172
Queen Jazz.png
JAZZ: QUEEN
 [1978] 
On 'Jazz', Queen serve up tracks that take a high camp approach to various musical styles. Opening with "Mustapha", Brian May is resplendent on guitar. "Fat Bottomed Girls" is stadium rock. "Jealousy" is a tender ballad. "Fun It" is disco. Queen deliver great harmonies and mighty pop on "Don't Stop Me Now" and many other songs. Highlight tracks: Don't Stop Me Now; Bicycle Race; Jealousy.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

The All-Time Campest #1s. Update: #50-46. More added tomorrow.
THE ALL-TIME TOP 100
CAMPEST
#1 SINGLES
(1960 - 2015)
The 100 campest chart topping singles in the USA or UK.
46 9 TO 5
DOLLY PARTON
USA (1981)
 
47 THE HAPPENING
THE SUPREMES
USA (1967)
 
48 STAYIN' ALIVE
BEE GEES
USA (1978)
 
49 SPICE UP YOUR LIFE
SPICE GIRLS
UK (1997)
 
50 BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
QUEEN
UK (1976 & 1991)
 The four members of the band sit together in front of a sandy-coloured background wearing predominantly black clothing. Freddie Mercury appears to be the dominant figure, sat in front of the other three members. From left to right, John Deacon, Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor. All four individuals are looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression on their face. Above the band is some black text, printed in an elegant, italic font face. The word "Queen" followed by "Bohemian Rhapsody", the latter of which is positioned under the band name in the same format yet smaller font.
200 BEST ALBUMS. Update:  #173. This countdown continues tomorrow.
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.
#173
 Quiet fire (album cover).jpg
QUIET FIRE: ROBERTA FLACK
 [1971] 
Roberta Flack earned her place in the pantheon of R&B voices with the outstanding 'Quiet Fire' album. She weaves her pipes through 8 tracks, infusing a hint of pop, jazz, gospel and lots of soul on songs sourced from the likes of Jimmy Webb, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, The Bee Gees, Van McCoy and Paul Simon. It's no wonder Flack proved to be so influential in the 1970s. Highlight tracks: See You Then; Go Up Moses; Sunday and Sister Jones.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

The all-Time CAMPEST #1s. This update: #55-51. Another 5 songs added tomorrow.
THE ALL-TIME TOP 100
CAMPEST
#1 SINGLES
(1960 - 2015)
The 100 campest chart topping singles in the USA or UK.
51 MICKEY
TONI BASIL
USA (1982)
 
52 GRACE KELLY
MIKA
UK (2007)
 
53 DARK LADY
CHER
USA (1974)
54 NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP
RICK ASTLEY
UK & USA (1987)
 
55 I WILL FOLLOW HIM
LITTLE PEGGY MARCH
USA (1963)
 
200 BEST ALBUMS. Update:  #174. This countdown continues tomorrow.
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.
#174
 Hall Oates Voices.jpg
VOICES: DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES
 [1980] 
Hall & Oates redefine a musical direction the duo would mine throughout the 1980s on 'Voices'. The sound is more pop than soul here and established the 2 men as the leading duo on the charts. "Diddy Doo Wop (I Hear Voices)" might just have influenced Billy Joel for 'An Innocent Man' and his hit 'River of Dreams'. Highlight tracks: You Make My Dreams; Kiss On My List; How Does It Feel to Be Back.

Monday, July 27, 2015

All-Time CAMPEST #1s. Update: #60- 56. More added tomorrow.

THE ALL-TIME TOP 100
CAMPEST
#1 SINGLES
(1960 - 2015)
The 100 campest chart topping singles in the USA or UK.
56 WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE
SPICE GIRLS
UK (1997)
 
57 TOGETHER WE ARE BEAUTIFUL
FERN KINNEY
UK (1980)
 
58 S&M
RIHANNA
USA (2011)
A close-up shot of a woman with red hair and her eyes closed. She is wearing a chunky necklace and a beige top.
59 TRAGEDY
BEE GEES
UK & USA (1979)
 
60 GYPSYS, TRAMPS & THIEVES
CHER
USA (1971)
 
CAFFE` LATTE`TOP 2000 TRACKS {EXPANDED EDITION}

#1955 SO HARD Pet Shop Boys
The Pet Shop Boys moved into the 1990s with 1 of the duo's best offerings: "So Hard" . The self-penned UK & European chart hit was produced by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe with Euro-disco writer / producer Harold Faltermeyer. It was included on the 'Behaviour' album.

#1956 PAINTED DESERT Pat Benatar
In 1984, Pat Benatar pursued new musical directions on her 'Tropico' album release. The single "Painted Desert" allowed the female rocker an opportunity to showcase her vocal diversity. The ballad was written by her husband Neil Giraldo and Myron Grombacher.

The list is a ranking 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.This expanded section now includes songs from the last few years. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
2 new songs ranked in positions 1501-2000 will also be added each other weekday.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

60 YEARS OF THE ROCK ERA Winners (1960). Next week: 1961.
60 YEARS OF
ROCK
BEST OF 1960
-WINNERS-
TOP GROUP 1960
EVERLY BROTHERS
THE KINGSTON TRIO
THE VENTURES
IKE & TINA TURNER
THE DRIFTERS

TOP MALE 1960
ELVIS PRESLEY
BEN E. KING
SAM COOKE
ROY ORBISON
JACKIE WILSON

TOP FEMALE 1960
DINAH WASHINGTON
CONNIE FRANCIS
BRENDA LEE
ARETHA FRANKLIN
TONI FISHER

TOP RECORDING 1960
IT’S NOW OR NEVER Elvis Presley
ONLY THE LONELY Roy Orbison
MONEY Barrett Strong
CATHY’S CLOWN The Everly Brothers
WALK- DON’T RUN The Ventures
STAND BY ME Ben E. King
THE TWIST Chubby Checker
SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME The Drifters
CHAIN GANG Sam Cooke
ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT? Elvis Presley

TOP RECORDING ACT 1960
THE DRIFTERS
ELVIS PRESLEY
CHUBBY CHECKER
SAM COOKE
THE PLATTERS
Celebrating 60 years of Rock music. Update: 1960.

60 YEARS OF
ROCK
(1955-2015)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JULY 9, 1955
Bhratc.jpg-“Rock Around The Clock” reaches #1 










1956
-Elvis becomes rock 'n roll's first major star.
Love me tender423.jpg 









1957 
-Buddy Holly & The Crickets: rock's prototype group.
Chirping Crickets.jpg 










1958
-Jerry Lee Lewis' career is damaged when he marries his teen cousin.
 


  







1959
- Ray Charles brings gospel to secular music & creates soul. 
  Head and shoulders shot of Ray Charles next to a microphone, his sunglasses reflecting his hands on piano keys and the shadow of the microphone cast on his face
1960
-Chubby Checker's cover of "The Twist" sparks a new dance craze. 
-Motown Records re-releases "Money" by Barrett Strong.
-Eddie Cochran dies in a car crash.
-Ben E. King leaves The Drifters to go solo.
-Aretha Franklin records pop songs for Columbia Records.
-The Beatles play 3 months of gigs in Hamburg, Germany.
-Cliff Richard is replaced at #1 in UK by his backing band The Shadows.
-Elvis' "It's Now Or Never" sells 780,000 copies in its 1st week (a record).
 

As a new decade began, rock 'n roll's future was far from assured. By the end of the 1950s, most of its key artists were suffering from major setbacks. Disc jockeys were being investigated for payola. Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry were rocked by scandal. Elvis Presley, absent while serving in the army, was expected to have lost his career's momentum. Eddie Cochran became another rock 'n roll casualty. 
Nevertheless, the 1960s saw a revival of R&B and this time it was being targeted to a mainstream and affluent white audience. The Drifters raised the bar in production techniques. Chubby Checker ignited the dance craze of the era: the twist. Motown Records started releasing seminal singles. Surf music attracted sales. When Elvis concluded his army stint, he returned with a series of mega-successful hit songs.
Wheretheboysare.jpg     Brenda Lee-LP.jpg
 
Walk, Don't Run 1960.jpgDuane Eddy 1960.JPG

The Soul of Ike & Tina Turner.jpeg