A Song For You (Written and recorded by Leon Russell, 1970) The song has been performed and recorded by over 200 other artists. [I think I listened to most of them Wednesday night. ] Ray Charles, 1993 Willie Nelson, 1973 Love this song. Like all 3 of the above equally well, for different reasons.
Not your typical 1960's song, so I put it here. Written by Frank Loesser in 1947 for the movie The Perils of Pauline, originally sung by Betty Hutton. I knew I heard this a lot growing up. It must have been this release by Eddy Arnold in 1960.
The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) Written by Paul Simon 1966 Simon and Garfunkel version A cover version was recorded by Harpers Bizarre, 1967. "Arranged by Leon Russell, who played piano on the track. Other musicians included Glen Campbell, Carole Kaye and drummer Jim Gordon; it also featured a harmonic choral a cappella section and a woodwind quartet with a flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon."
13 years old Angelina Jordon is definitely an upcoming star and what she does with this segment of the “Bohemian Rhapsody” is phenomenal.
Sara Smile - Daryl Hall & John Oates, 1975 One of my favorite songs This is an odd cover. Country singer Jimmy Wayne recorded the song in 2009 with backup by Daryl Hall in his studio, called Daryl's House. I think the original is better, but not quite fair to compare studio version with live.
One of the most outstanding covers I've ever heard is Adam Lambert's rendition of Ring of Fire that moves in and out of the minor key during his American Idol competition years ago. Haunting. Such an amazing talent.
How can one possibly sing a song that is ingrained in all of our memories in such a discordant manner????? How do you not slide back into the original key???? And I don't mean for "discordant" to be taken in a negative manner. It's haunting, and the use of the sitar sets enforces the mood.
The Westward Wind - Gogi Grant - 1956 (click title for song) When it came out I liked it, but the over-the-top arrangement with the horns, like gladiators on horses, charging into battle, didn't fit. And a drumbeat? I don't hear a train. I came to dislike it. The song was recorded the same year by Tex Ritter. Still has the horns, but his voice is smoother and not as annoying. The downside is the sirens with high-pitched wailing in the background, common in the 50's. Five years later the song was released by Patsy Cline. A better arrangement and much better voice, but too slow. If you click on the settings and adjust the speed to be 1.25 of normal it is the same as the other two, and the winner (imo). What do you think?