What's In Your CD Player/iPod/MP3/Computer/Hi Fi, Right Now?

[mariana44]

I really like listening to Paul O'Grady--much to my surprise as I never thought that I would. His style reminds me very much of Charlie Chester--George and I used to love listening to his show on the radio--way way back.

[mariana44]

Tony Bennett is very popular with the members on this forum Gloria--my favourite of his has to be the cd where he sings Rodgers and Hart. I have not heard either of the 2 that you mention---like so many other artists that have been around for many years, much of his music is lost on hard-to-find Lp's.

[jon]

Enjoying the newly released Detroit Spinners Greatest Hits album. Some great tracks like Ghetto Child, I'll be Around and It's A Shame, and many more. Ignored by Motown, they signed to Atlantic Records and were produced by Philly Soul producer Thom Bell, who also worked with Johnny Mathis in the 70s. Good stuff.

[mariana44]

I have an old "Greatest Hits" of The Detroit Spinners---my fave by far is "Ghetto Child".

Thom Bell--sadly no longer with us--worked on some of JM's [to me] best albums in the late 80's-a really talented guy, who was a brilliant song writer too---along with Linda Creed-they wrote songs such as "I'm stone in love with you" "I'm coming home" "Stop look listen to your heart" and many others.

[Gloria]

I've been in a pretty mellow mood today, beginning with another play of Tony Bennett's Listen Easy, and then Jack Jones' L.A. Breakdown and Gift of Love (this last one on its second spin, as it's so soothing).

[ROBERT M.]

Waiting to listen to the Radio 2 d.o.c. on D.i.c.k Emery at 10.30

[john]

D.i.c.k. Emery was brilliant Robert, so funny.
Listening to Jerry Vale now.

[ROBERT M.]

John.............."you are awful....... but I like you"

[jon]

Hi Marian

Which JM albums from the late 80s did Thom Bell work on? I thought it was the early to mid 70s ("I'm Coming Home" 1973 and "Mathis Is" 1977) - the songs you mention were certainly 70s songs.

I also didn't know Thom Bell was dead; I've Googled him and only found his birthdate, which suggests he is still alive. Do tell if you know differently.

[Mark Fox]

I've been enjoying a CD I had converted from vinyl just this year: Tony Bennett - Listen Easy. After purchasing the out-of-print CD, If I Ruled the World, I decided I wanted to hear more of Bennett and Don Costa, and this title is just as wonderful. I grew up hearing my Mom play Bennett's most popular LPs all the time - I Left My Heart In San Francisco and I Wanna Be Around - and I now realize that Tony's work is not accurately represented by popularity, greatest hits collections, or what's currently in print. I'll definitely be seeking out more of the forgotten titles (and glad to know that someone with Mark's great knowledge and appreciation of Tony's career agrees about the quality of this old work ).

Well,I have just sent THE GOOD THINGS IN LIFE to his biographer in NYNY., which Tony recorded in London around the time of LISTEN EASY,he also feels that ALL Tony's back catalogue work should be released,and soon. A two LP on one CD collection,FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE/I'VE GOTTA BE ME has just been released in the UK on BGO records.these were licensed from SONY(UK) and although they don't quite'fit'together,I hope they will be the beginning.
From memory,as I'm not at home with my archive,I think'TELL HER THAT IT'S SNOWING'is on LISTEN EASY.
I could go on for hours!
If you want to be on my TONY BENNETT mailing list my e-mail is:-
markfoxtbas@hotmail.com

[Mark Fox]

Tony Bennett is very popular with the members on this forum Gloria--my favourite of his has to be the cd where he sings Rodgers and Hart. I have not heard either of the 2 that you mention---like so many other artists that have been around for many years, much of his music is lost on hard-to-find Lp's.

With Tony's new contract with SONY there is hope that the back catalogue CD release programme started a few years ago but halted,may be resumed.
However,it's doubtful that LISTEN EASY and/or THE GOOD THINGS IN LIFE will be included as these are owned by Tony himself.
The Rodgers&Hart collection originally on two LPS.,have been released on CD many times including one issue with added Orchestra and piano,'ON THE TOWN.
Stop me,before I go on too long!

[Gloria]

Mark, I appreciate all the information you share about Tony, as it's all fascinating to me. I didn't know that Tony owned his Verve recordings. Yes, Listen Easy does include Tell Her It's Snowing. I had never heard this recording before owning the LP, and I was blown away by the deep emotion in Tony's performance, all 6:30 of it. It's such a serious, reflective (but not depressing) album, as Tony slows down the pace of many standards. But Tell Her It's Snowing is the closing song, and you don't expect such an intense song and performance to come along at the end. This entire album is a great showcase of Tony's deep interpretive skills.

[ROBERT M.]

Sorry john..........my previous post was worded wrong..........I have now edited it

[john]

That's alright Robert, I knew what you meant.

[mariana44]

Hi Jon--sorry, I meant late 70's as regards Thom Bell.

I am 99% sure that Thom Bell died a good few years back--but I will try and find out for sure.