Favourite music

Share your favourite music with other members on this thread.

I cannot ever make my mind up as to whom I believe has been the greatest female singer in the 20th century.

Judith Durham - Karen Carpenter - Celine Dion - Dusty Springfield - Shirley Bassey - Jennifer Rush - Whitney Houston - Petula Clark - Kiri te Kanawa

Who else should be a contender ?

What about the best male singer of the 20th century ?, here are my three contendors, and remember it has nothing to do with the song, the person or the style of music, its simply a matter of the voice.



My final choice is someone I have always thought had a superb voice, but as a matter of pure coincidence the particular song here was chosen by my uncle to be played at his funeral service, he knew he was dying and departed this life a few weeks ago leaving a widow and daughter.

This one takes me back to Uncle Mac on BBC light programme many years ago:-



It was because of this recording that I wished to learn German. Teachers laughed 1964, "English is the global language, you do not have to learn any languages." Now British railway workers HAVE to learn GCSE German to keep their jobs when working for Deutsche Bahn and JD Shenker who own and run certain British Rail Routes! Changing world.

When learning piano accordion in 1963 at 10 years, I was ordered by one of Mum's ladypals to learn this tune, which I picked up as a lullaby! Little did I know she was going to turn it into this rendition
!



My music teacher was HORRIFIED and went off his rocker! He was more interested in teaching me Italian classical accordion, ME? I wanted German Bier Keller and Scottish music - and this tune. Well, people LIKED IT! Even gypsy accordion would have been preferable to the 10 year old boy than any classical stuff!!

Appologies for the waffle - memories.

I met who was then still to be Mrs. A (1979) and the Motoguzzi Spada motorbike and the Accordion HAD to go. The sacrifices - woe is me!!

witchfinder wrote:I cannot ever make my mind up as to whom I believe has been the greatest female singer in the 20th century.

Who else should be a contender ?

Gladys Knight and Dionne Warwick must be in the race...

.... the music that excels
is the sound of oil wells,
as they slurp, slurp, slurp into the barrels.

Eartha Kitt

I enjoyed reading ( and listening ) to the post by astra, the songs from the 1950s rather remind me of the Ovaltinies, though I have to add I was not around in the 1950s.

With regard to the best female singer

And another one I almost forgot about - Maddy Prior, can anyone remember her ?, she was the singer in that well known English folk band "Steeleye Span" who had hits such as "All around my hat".



And the strange thing is that Martin Carthy who played in the band now lives in my home town of Whitby, as does his wife Eliza Carthy - very famous in the British folk music scene, and part of the renowned Waterson family.

witchfinder wrote:-
I cannot ever make my mind up as to whom I believe has been the greatest female singer in the 20th century.
Judith Durham - Karen Carpenter - Celine Dion - Dusty Springfield - Shirley Bassey - Jennifer Rush - Whitney Houston - Petula Clark - Kiri te Kanawa
Who else should be a contender ?

Jennifer Rush?? She's only remembered for one song, 'The Power Of Love', isn't she?

Tina Turner has a much bigger claim to be on that list, and what about Gracie Fields and Vera Lynn?

If we're looking for the greatest single of all times, I wholeheartedly agree with the viewers' choice in a Channel 4 poll a few years ago, mainly because of the wonderful lyrics:-

oftenwrong wrote:-
".... the music that excels
is the sound of oil wells,
as they slurp, slurp, slurp into the barrels."
Eartha Kitt.

Very amusing song:-

witchfinder wrote:And another one I almost forgot about - Maddy Prior, can anyone remember her ?, she was the singer in that well known English folk band "Steeleye Span" who had hits such as "All around my hat".



And the strange thing is that Martin Carthy who played in the band now lives in my home town of Whitby, as does his wife Eliza Carthy - very famous in the British folk music scene, and part of the renowned Waterson family.

Oops, Witchfinder! Liza Carthy is the DAUGHTER of Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson.

Oh! oftenwrong, you are correct, well I posted that late on Friday night after a long day and a bottle of Vino Collapso.

C. P. E. Bach : Concerto in A Minor for flute, strings and continuo. Op 222. Requires speed and power from the flautist, which she supplies to perfection.

hence the expression, high falutin'

No? OK.

We don't wish to know that - kindly leave the stage...

I say, I say, I say!!
Do you know A night on the bare mountain?

No, but I can get you a taxi to go there.

DESERT ISLAND DISCS is a British radio programme, the second longest running radio programme in the world, it is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and was originaly presented by Roy Plomley, today it is presented by KIrsty Young, this year marks the 70th anniversary of Desert Island Discs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMMS4I6f7o4
Desert Island Discs theme tune ( By the sleepy lagoon )

AS a mark of celebration of the 70th birthday of Desert Island Discs I invite posters to take part in our own version here on Cutting Edge.

The object of the programme is to invite a guest into the studio, the guest becomes an imaginary castaway on a deserted island, he or she can choose 8 pieces of music, one luxury item and one book; Between playing the pieces of music the guest ( castaway ) talks about their reasons for choosing the particular music and about their life in general.

DESERT ISLAND DISCS RULES
------------------------------
1 Choose 8 pieces of music and if you wish to, explain why you chose the particular pieces

2 Choose 1 book

3 choose 1 luxury item

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx4TSXJT1CE
A Symphony for Yorkshire by Benjamin Till

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSVfLNCW4Fs
Georgy Girl by The Seekers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLK5OWU2YGw
Theme from Shindlers List by John Williams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KCiMdR1ox0
Eternal Father ( the navy hymn )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKRHWT6xdEU&feature=related
Jerusalem by William Blake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqwqknq7nuI
I believe in father Christmas by Greg Lake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQsjAbZDx-4&ob=av2n
Fernando - Abba

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh26zOjIh9I
Jana Gana Mana - the National Anthem of India

SYMPHONY FOR YORKSHIRE because it represents my beloved county, and because this particular piece of music celebrates everything about Yorkshire, its pretty parts ( of which there are many ) and the not quite so pretty parts, its a celebration of the modern diversity of Yorkshire and includes traditional music and more modern stuff.

GEORGY GIRL because its a great song and tune, very catchy and for me it sums up the 1960s, an era when I was a kid, I love The Seekers.

SHINDLERS LIST because its beautiful music by the very tallented John Williams, it is a reminder of just how inhuman and utterly evil humans can be, it should serve as a warning against extremism, hatred and bigotry.

ETERNAL FATHER because of my own background, this hymn was sung at my grandfathers funeral, its characteristic of my home town.

JERUSALEM because I do love the English countryside and landscape, I know of foreigners and people who have settled in England who marvel at just how green it is.

I BELIEVE IN FATHER CHRISTMAS because the song sums up the Christmases of the early 1980s, a very happy period for me, and because it
speaks of how realityand the truth blows apart dreams of something magic.

FERNANDO because it sums up the 1970s

INDIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM partly for private reasons but because I think its a great song and tune which is inclusive of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians - its sung and played with such passion and emotion.

BOOK - realy difficult to think of a choice but probably the biography of Albert Shweitzer.

LUXURY ITEM - a barrel of Theakstons OLd Perculiar beer

My Island Home sung by Christine Anu

Icehouse - Great Southern Land

Fluke - My Spine (vid is of official NASA Mars Exploration Rover)

Flo Rida - Good Feeling

Pistolero - Juno Reactor

I have a very varied taste in music, some of it wonderful and some just plain weird. One of my fave bands is Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. I adore, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, The Artic Monkeys, The Sex Pistols, The Buzzcocks, PJ Harvey, Kate Bush, Stiff Little Fingers, Billy Bragg, Nina Simone, David Bowie, Enriquo Caruso, Lucy Ward, Jimmi Hendrix, Rush, The Specials, The Cult, Spear of Destiny, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The UK Subs, Nick Drake, Will Oldham, Kirsty McColl, Ewan McColl, The Pogues, The dubliners, Sinead O'connor, Pink Floyd, Lou Reed, Elvis Costello, Christy Moore and way too many others to mention.

Public Image Limited , Miles Davis , Can , Bowie , Kraftwerk , Velvet Underground , Creatures~ Siouxsie + Budgie , Front 242 , Nitzer Ebb , Theatre of Hate , Iggy +the Stooges , Early Grace Jones , New York Dolls , Charlie Mingus , Theolonius Monk, Johnny Mercer , Billie Holiday, and Rush

Shocked to see Rush in Adele's list , I am an ex drummer and always liked Neil Peart's style , but more so his lyrical content , the polished production would sometimes negate how special Rush were / are in the new wave days.

John Lydon is now a complete parody of himself so no Pistols in my list , he couldn't even be bothered to get Levene or Wobble back for the original PIL line up , shame on you Mr Rotten.

I love Rush Scarecrow! I've been seeing them a few times over the years...my two son's age 21 and 13 are totally crackers about them. I missed the fabulous Thin Lizzy off my list, I adore them, they're prob my fave rock band. I also forgot all about pearl jam and the divine comedy...in fact, I couldn't even name all the bands I like, it'd take me weeks! lol

I concur about John Lydon...he needs to soddin lighten up. I'm a big pistols and PIL fan, but sometimes I want to punch his miserable lights out!

Adele , I missed the Pistols being 9 years old in 1976 , but PIL floated my boat , I had the pleasure of dealing with Jeannette Lee some years ago , great energy about her.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeannette_Lee_(Rough_Trade)
Phil Lynott.........genuine geezer / songwriter/ bass player 4 sure.
Saw the Banshees loads of times , Sioux still looks great , but her voice is now a shadow of what it was , but Lydon OMG he is like a character from a Carry On Film.
Check this out , got me smiling again, Public Imitation Ltd with Keith Levene and Jah Wobble from original PIL with the lead singer from the Sex Pistols Experience tribute band , he out rottens, rotten ha ha , uncanny how he sounds and looks like John down to the manic stare .

I nearly booked the S P experience for my dads 80th birthday ha ha , he might not have made it to 81 LOL.

Thanks for posting those vids! I really enjoyed them!

https://youtu.be/HxeCVer-cIo

Two arrogant posh boys who don't know the price of milk.

lol I've seen it before...it's more apt than ever now!

Music is the food of love, at least that’s what I believe. With every great romance comes a collection of songs, some over-flowing with passion https://youtu.be/x-skFgrV59A or https://youtu.be/xOoMDU8hWbM , some poignant melodies that tear at your soul leaving you wretchedly broken https://youtu.be/VfOjcYAAx78 and desperately reaching out… We have all been there right? And these songs remain with that romance and eventually get locked away as you move on. Then out of the blue, driving in the car or shopping in a supermarket you’ll hear them again and that incredulous love is right back inside you, making you smile or torturing you!

My all-time favourite song at the moment is https://youtu.be/JRfuAukYTKg which depicts my mood perfectly. Relationships break down but it's odd how when they do you suddenly realise that everything else around you is broken too; your spirit, ambition and the most dismal effect of all is when it spreads to those closest to you. When pity is mirrored in their eyes and sometimes fear. Fear that you are in physical danger, or fear that they are watching your individuality fading away ( https://youtu.be/7NhkK-1epUA ) …
For me Titanium is my fightback song and I think we all need one for those moments when you feel like screaming. There is nothing like that song blasting through your earphones as you run across a mountain track (preferably in the rain), leaving all your woes behind you!!! Try it…

You know by now, I cannot be stereotyped so I shall have to admit to not following any artist, I simply love music! https://youtu.be/JRfuAukYTKg is my long-standing favourite, I adore it… I love being alone with no distractions and this song depicts that feeling. Just playing it I am wearing a smile.

Words are my biggest passion, https://youtu.be/oyGJG0GKrSI When I’m writing I can unleash the inner me, I can be confident, witty and stimulating even, all those things that have barely emerged in such a long time. And it can even rebuild you, leading you towards finding yourself again and encouraging you with each new sentence to spread your wings and take flight. https://youtu.be/roPQ_M3yJTA

My biker days https://youtu.be/rMbATaj7Il8 were full of wild music and probably at a time when I possessed an absolute death wish. The death of the most beautiful guy I have ever known edged me into a truly dark period. You know I hate compliments regarding my looks because I know the most all-consuming beauty comes from within and his was undeniable. Anyway my mind refused any injection of logic, I wanted to live dangerously and can remember the moment when reality vanished and destruction set in. Yet I didn’t want out, anger grows until it erupts. Believe me a petite blonde biker with attitude gets major attention, not all of it good ( https://youtu.be/oobDQ0vdm8M ). I maintain to have been a little wild yet even in my lowest moments I was never tempted by drugs, unfortunately it’s not always that clean-cut. Surrounding yourself with admirers of bad attitude has its repercussions; I’m still not sure whether it was luck that was on my side, or whether I have this crazy mind that no matter how influenced it becomes, retains the ability to fight. I won and got away! https://youtu.be/8zlt57Q7ZVU …

So there we have it, music for every mood. It’s strange how it has the ability to enhance or destruct your person and how like an addiction you refuse to let if go. ( https://youtu.be/avYxiIRG4xQ )

Sadly I have spent my entire life avoiding that crazy little thing called ‘love’ and proclaimed to be anti-romance. So this song has left me reeling, it is sooh utterly beautiful and who wouldnt want to be lost in it https://youtu.be/jvYUfwMBCrU .

My driving force these days is my campaign to save our Coastguards from closure. There can be no doubt in anyone’s mind that they are a vital force in saving lives, particularly at a time where we all pursue the adrenaline thrill. Incidents are at an all time high, not just on our seas but our shores too. With a growing population and a need to escape the confines of brick walls and stress from daily existence their demand is at an all time high. Yet unless we Brits wake up and unite to move forward and fight for what we believe in we will lose them and ourselves…

I have no idea whether this link will work for you, but if it does, broody Welsh-language covers of Joy Division are definitely where it's at. Even if it doesn't, bands allegedly originating in Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (definitely at least from Gwynedd) remain preferable to others.

As to other favourites of mine, and a little more mainstream, well... Joy Division themselves, but I'm sure I don't need to post a link.

Moving on...

https://youtu.be/s8GvLKTsTuI

This is what music needs at the moment - not Simon Cowell.

From the soundtrack to forthcoming film 'Ill Manors'

Hi,

I have a varied taste in music from classical to heavy rock but here is some of my favourite 'easy listening' songs. I hope you enjoy!!!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL670334584339C588 xx

witchfinder wrote:I cannot ever make my mind up as to whom I believe has been the greatest female singer in the 20th century.

Judith Durham - Karen Carpenter - Celine Dion - Dusty Springfield - Shirley Bassey - Jennifer Rush - Whitney Houston - Petula Clark - Kiri te Kanawa

Who else should be a contender ?

(popular) Voice wise - Eva Cassidy

(jazz) Style wise - Diana Krall

(stage) Over-all - Heather Headley (Aida, etc.)

Here's Heather (3:00) performing with Adam Pascal