Monday, October 31, 2016

70/70 Freddie Mercury. This update: Song 23. Continues tomorrow.
70 YEARS,
FREDDIE MERCURY
70 SONGS
Last month, Freddie Mercury would have celebrated his 70th birthday. Caffe` Latte` has selected 70 songs from his solo catalogue and recordings with Queen to commemorate 7 decades of the legendary frontman. November 24 will also mark the 25th anniversary of his passing.
The songs are presented in chronological order:
23
DON’T STOP ME NOW
Year: 1978
Album: Jazz
100 BEST ALBUM COVERS: #6. Continues tomorrow.
Caffe` Latte` presents…
THE 100 BEST
ALBUM COVERS
 Axiscover.jpg
6
AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE
THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
(1967)
Today, if you want to hear an album prior to purchase, the music is easily accessible. Online streaming and even illegal downloading has made it a swift and convenient process. For the bulk of record buyers in the seminal years of the rock album in the 1960s, word of mouth and radio airplay played a much larger role than today. For this reason, album covers also played a fundamental part. As albums gained prominence in the rock market place, albums attempted to project an image reflecting its content. 
An effective cover piqued the interest of a potential consumer. 'Axis: Bold as Love' came in a package that accomplished this aim in exemplary fashion.  
The graphics and use of colour encompass all that Jimi Hendrix was: guitar hero; rock god; mythical; legendary; other worldly. It's all packed so succinctly into that album cover's imagery.

Sunday, October 30, 2016

200 MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS: #18. Continues later this 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.
#18
ARRIVAL: ABBA  
ABBA - Arrival.jpg
 [1976] 
Each ABBA album released prior to 'Arrival' reflected a gradual progression in production, recording technique and songcraft. By 1976, the Swedish band had perfected its sound. On 'Arrival', we find a group at its prime. ABBA struck gold with a number of songs that embody perfect pop. This album hosts the group's best known track, the popular favourite "Dancing Queen". This song was a smash hit everywhere, including at the top of the US chart. 'Arrival' was also home to the bubbly classic "Money, Money, Money". This blogger, being in Australia, had the album version that included the ballad "Fernando". This soon became the longest running #1 single on the chart here; a record ABBA still holds 40 years later. "Knowing Me, Knowing You" was a hint of the lyrical maturity Bjorn Ulvaeus' songwriting was achieving. Somehow, the group manage to evoke a darker side within the confines of Euro-pop. This is precisely what set ABBA apart from its contemporaries. On the surface the songs sounded deceptively simple and at times cheesy. Closer examination revealed layers of intricate harmonies and melodic structures. This was mostly due to the skill and vision of the other songwriter, Benny Andersson. Manager Stig Anderson contributed to the compositions, with a clever ear for whart would appeal to the public. Again, the vocals on 'Arrival' are first rate. Frida Lyngstad is engaging on "Fernando" and injects fun into "Money. Money, Money" and heartache on "Knowing Me, Knowing You". On the other hand, Agnetha Faltskog once again delivers drama to tracks such as "My Love, My Life" but lets loose on the frothy "That's Me".  Both singers excel in unison on "Dancing Queen". The upbeat merriment continues on aural treats such as "When I Kissed The Teacher", "Tiger" and "Why Did It Have To Be Me".
Highlight tracks:
* Dancing Queen
* Money, Money, Money
* That's Me
* Knowing Me, Knowing You
* My Love, My Life 
THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL DUETS: #90-81. Continues next week.
Caffe` Latte` presents…
THE 200 ALL-TIME MOST
ESSENTIAL DUETS
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZQp9wyOasE6cWN18iwu8wllBymN3_X6ODHuDG7qcwAAItKaWYCfoYqizRwy5yqZfMeE79JQtHqw130n7g30Os_K2OCw6yohFcmNRA7WSkyFUtbKiwetHnyNhtqPa0aJ5gUGR02L4HmWQ/s1600/BarbraStreisand3.jpg
This countdown looks back on decades of duets, where 2 acts combine on a song.
To be eligible, the acts involved contribute close to equal roles as lead vocalists rather than featured or guest vocals. The collaborations must be by acts that do not usually record together as regular duos (eg. Hall & Oates, Everly Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel and Wham!).
90
AS
GEORGE MICHAEL & MARY J. BLIGE
Stevie Wonder's great soul track "As" was covered by George Michael and Mary J. Blige. In 1998, the duet was included a Michael compilation album. Released as a single the following year, the cut peaked at #4 in Britain.
89
DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?
ETTA JAMES & SUGAR PIE DESANTO
Etta James and Sugar Pie DeSanto don't mince words when they deliver a collective punch to their man on the track "Do I Make Myself Clear". The 1965 gritty R&B duet is an ultimatum to their no-good man.
88
LEATHER AND LACE
STEVIE NICKS & DON HENLEY
The Fleetwood Mac songstress traded lyrics with Eagles drummer/ vocalist Don Henley on the country-tinged ballad "Leather And Lace". She wrote the song and it was included on her 1981 solo debut album entitled 'Bella Donna'. The single reached the US Top 10.
87
LET'S DO IT (LET'S FALL IN LOVE)
MARVIN GAYE & KIM WESTON
Marvin Gaye ,1966. Photo: Michael Ochs ... / MUSIQ for the SOULhttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/Kim_Weston.pngCole Porter's American songbook classic "Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)" is given a soul interpretation as only Motown could deliver. The Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston duet was yet another gem that remained in the label's archives for decades. Finally, it was released for a Gaye box set in 1990.
86
SOME VELVET MORNING
NANCY SINATRA & LEE HAZLEWOOD
The gorgeous and underrated "Some Velvet Morning" was written by Lee Hazlewood. He recorded some quality duets with Nancy Sinatra. Most had a country feel, but this was a real departure from their usual fare. In 1967, the single made the US Top 40.
85
WHAT KIND OF FOOL
BARBRA STREISAND & BARRY GIBB
Barbra Streisand recorded 2 duets with Barry Gibb that were featured on her 1980 album 'Guilty'. The title track and "What Kind Of Fool" were both lifted as singles. So integral was Barry Gibb's input on her album that he appears with her on its cover. "What Kind Of Fool" spent a month atop the US AC chart and peaked at #10 Pop for 3 weeks.
84
THEN CAME YOU
DIONNE WARWICK & THE SPINNERS
At the time of "Then Came You", Dionne Warwick had added an 'e' to her surname. She later reverted to her original spelling. Warwick collaborated on the single with R&B group The Spinners. Thom Bell produced the track which reached #1 on the American chart in 1974.
83
I'M YOUR ANGEL
CELINE DION & R. KELLY
In 1998, the adult contemporary and R&B genres came together on the big ballad "I'm Your Angel", a duet recorded by Celine Dion and R. Kelly. The song climbed to #1 in the USA. In Britain, the single peaked at #3.
82
EASY LOVER
PHILIP BAILEY & PHIL COLLINS
Philip Bailey released a solo album in 1984. The LP was produced by Phil Collins. Both had built a profile as members of groups: the former in Earth, Wind & Fire and the latter as part of Genesis. They co-wrote "Easy Lover" with Nathan East. Collins and Bailey recorded the track as a duet. The single was a worldwide smash hit. It topped the UK chart and peaked at #2 in America.
81
U GOT THE LOOK
PRINCE & SHEENA EASTON
The 1987 track "U Got The Look" was featured on Prince's 'Sign O' The Times' album. Despite being uncredited on the single, Sheena Easton shares lead vocal duties with Prince. She does, however, appear in its music video in a co-lead capacity. The single reached #2 on the American chart.

Saturday, October 29, 2016

THE CAFFE` LATTE`
TOP 10 ALBUMS – OCT. 2016
A profile picture of Lady Gaga in a hat
1 JOANNE Lady Gaga       NEW
2 ERIC BENET Eric Benet    NEW
3 ENCORE - MOVIE PARTNERS SING BROADWAY Barbra Streisand           1 3
4 GREATEST HITS Queen           5 3
5 RUMOURS Fleetwood Mac  6 9
6 NOBODY BUT ME Michael Bublé     NEW
7 TROLLS Motion Picture Soundtrack   Various Artists   7 2
8
BACKBONE Anthony Callea     2 2
9 MIRAGE [DELUXE EDITION] Fleetwood Mac     3 2
10 EUROVISION SONG CONTEST STOCKHOLM 2016 Various Artists    9 7
 
The Caffe` Latte` Top 10 Tracks this week

1 24K Magic BRUNO MARS  3wks                                                                                    1 4

2 Fantasy ANTHONY CALLEA                                                                       5 2

3 Can't Tell U Enough ERIC BENET                                                                            4 3

4 Just Another Day LADY GAGA                                                                          9 2

5 Fifty Percent BARBRA STREISAND w/ JAMES BROLIN                                                  2 4

6 Party Like A Russian ROBBIE WILLIAMS                                                                  3 5

7 Ghostbusters WALK THE MOON                                                                          8 2

8 September JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, ANNA KENDRICK & EARTH WIND & FIRE                   7 6

9 On An Evening In Roma (Sott'er Celo De Roma) MICHAEL BUBLE`                                 NEW

10 Love Me Now JOHN LEGEND                                                                          6 3

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte
*(NOTE: "Fifty Percent" is not available on spotify).
 
THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL DUETS: #100-91. 
This countdown is now halfway through, with the Top 100 beginning here today. The next instalment comes tomorrow.
Caffe` Latte` presents…
THE 200 ALL-TIME MOST
ESSENTIAL DUETS
This countdown looks back on decades of duets, where 2 acts combine on a song.
To be eligible, the acts involved contribute close to equal roles as lead vocalists rather than featured or guest vocals. The collaborations must be by acts that do not usually record together as regular duos (eg. Hall & Oates, Everly Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel and Wham!).
100
BARCELONA
FREDDIE MERCURY & MONTSERRAT CABALLE
Barcelona Album Cover.jpgThe unlikely pairing of Freddie Mercury with Spanish operatic soprano Montserrat Caballe caught the public's imagination. The world was gearing up for the 1992 Summer Olympics in the former's hometown of Barcelona. Released in 1987, the single reached the UK Top 10. In the year of Spain hosting the Games, it was re-issued and peaked at #2 there.
99
IF I COULD BUILD MY WHOLE WORLD AROUND YOU
MARVIN GAYE & TAMMI TERRELL
Another great track from Marvin Gaye with his best offsider, Tammi Terrell, was the 1967 single "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You". The disc peaked in the Top 10 on the US Pop and R&B charts. It was included on their album 'United'.
98
DELICATE
TERENCE TRENT D'ARBY & DES'REE
Des'ree joined Terence Trent D'Arby on the aptly-titled duet "Delicate" from his 1993 album 'Symphony Or Damn'. D'Arby wrote and produced the track. Their voices mesh effectively on the tender love song which reached #14 in Britain.
97
TRAMP
OTIS REDDING & CARLA THOMAS
Otisreddingkingnqueen.jpg"Tramp" is a remake recorded by Otis Redding and Carla Thomas, both on the Stax Records roster. Drenched in gritty soul, the single was lifted off their 1967 duet album 'King & Queen'. On the R&B Chart, their cover reached #2.
96
BABY GRAND
BILLY JOEL & RAY CHARLES
Every groove of this track reveals the delight produced when a fan (Billy Joel) meets his hero (Ray Charles). Their common love of music and skill at the keyboards raises "Baby Grand" to the heavens. Joel even named his daughter Alexa Ray after his idol. The duet was recorded for Joel's 1986 album 'The Bridge'.
95
TILL I LOVED YOU
BARBRA STREISAND & DON JOHNSON
"Till I Loved You" was a duet recorded while Barbra Streisand was dating Don Johnson. The consummate vocalist and the star of  TV's "Miami Vice" surprisingly produced a favourable result which was the title track of her 1988 album and a Top 40 hit for the couple.
94
BREATHE
BLU CANTRELL & SEAN PAUL
A track by Dr Dre that was built around a Charles Aznavour song was the inspiration behind the hip hop duet "Breathe" by Blu Cantrell and Sean Paul. In 2003, the track reached #1 on the British and European charts.
93
(YOU'VE GOT TO WALK AWAY AND) 
DON'T LOOK BACK
PETER TOSH & MICK JAGGER
The song "Don't Look Back" started life as a melodic 1965 single by The Temptations. In 1978, the Motown tune was given a reggae makeover by Peter Tosh. His remake saw him sharing lead vocals with Mick Jagger and went Top 20 in Australia.
92
IN A LIFETIME
CLANNAD & BONO
Celtic cultural icons U2 lead singer Bono and the family group Clannad teamed up for the glorious new age collaboration "in A Lifetime" in 1985.  On the British chart, the single peaked at #17. Enya first tasted success as a member of this act.
91
MY MISTAKE (WAS TO LOVE YOU)
DIANA ROSS & MARVIN GAYE
Pam Sawyer had already penned "Last Time I Saw Him" for Diana Ross. That solo hit was followed by her #1 "Love Hangover". In between, Ross recorded "My Mistake (Was To Love You)" with Marvin Gaye. Sawyer co-wrote the song with R&B singer Gloria Jones (who released the original version of "Tainted Love"). The track, lifted off the 1973 album 'Diana & Marvin', reached the Top 20 on both the Pop and R&B charts.