mp3s may be the new 45s, but I, like many, still define a song as a single or 45. And, like Dave Marsh in his voluminous labor of love "The Heart of Rock'n'Soul: 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made", there's usually a story... (in no particular order except where noted)... "Summer Madness" Kool and the Gang (live) You can feel the heat rising off the asphalt on a scorching, humid summer day in the inner city. This aural masterpiece soars with a simmering majesty that lifts the primarily instrumental track beyond music to meditation. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" Darlene Love. Maybe the most powerful vocal performance ever recorded. When Darlene embellishes the crescendo with her pleading "Baby, please come home, then pushes to the edges of the universe with "please...please...please", my body tingles and my eyes fill with tears...every time....wherever you are, you know you'll find a way home. "Keep Searchin' " Del Shannon. While his Runaway is rightfully acknowledged as one of the most memorable songs in pop history, for me, "Keep Searchin' " captures the desperate ride for understanding and acceptance set on the backdrop of the blue-washed California coast. The top down, the crisp dusk breeze in the hair, the brooding at the wheel--none better. "Soul and Inspiration" Righteous Brothers. Into each life, according to Dr. Wayne Dyer, many teachers appear. One such individual helped guide me through a very difficult period with her understanding, empathy and support. The Righteous Brothers timeless please defined our relationship.
"Get Down Tonight" KC and the Sunshine Band. Cliche, perhaps, but KC's dance floor classic changed the music in my life. The infectious rhythm, the frenetic organ, the brass enhancements, coerced me to the dance floor forever. And, the chorus? Well, that should be the basis for a life philosophy!
More to follow...
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