A World of Music

Thinking about who I’d like to add to my music blog before the New Year arrives I decided it would be Leonard Cohen, who is a Canadian singer, songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. This very talented man has given us many memorable songs to enjoy. He has been inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.  His first album was titled Songs of Leonard Cohen released in 1967 and includes such songs as “Suzanne” and “So Long Marianne”. “So Long Marianne” I began with the first and will also mention the latest album released in September of 2014 right after his 80 th birthday titled “Popular Problems” featuring songs like “Almost Like the Blues” and “Did I Ever Love You”. This is his 13 th studio album. “Did I Ever Love You” Among his most popular song are “Famous Blue Raincoat” in a way considered his signature song and   “Hey That’s No Way to Say Goodbye”

I know you have heard, sung and listened to "Auld Lang Syne" dozens of times. Let me offer you four different versions which I like and you can choose your favorite for ringing in 2015. Elvis Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin Rod Stewart Judy Garland

By now you all know that one of rock’s great musicians Joe Cocker has joined the rock and roll band in the sky. It’s sad to see him go but as with others before him his songs and his music make him immortal and can be enjoyed time and time again. Born John Robert Cocker on May 20, 1944 he was an English rock and blues singer well known for his musical style and gravely voice. In 1968 his version of The Beatles “With a Little Help from My Friends” climbed the U.K. charts to number one. Cocker performed this song version both at Woodstock in 1969 and at the Party at the Palace concert given for the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2002. If this version sounds familiar to you then I must mention the fact that it became the theme song for the popular TV show “The Wonder Years”. Another song which was typically Cocker was his 1974 cover of “You Are So Beautiful”   I must mention some of my favorites like “Feels Like Forever” “You Can Leave Y

So it’s up and onto the New Year’s Eve song list. Among the top songs suggested are as follows: Ella Fitzgerald “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” Otis Redding and Carla Thomas “New Year’s Resolution” My absolute favorite ABBA “Happy New Year”   U2 “New Year’s Day” Hope everyone has a healthy, fantastic and productive 2015!

This popular American singer, songwriter and actor arrived into this world as Walden Robert Cassotto but is better known as Bobby Darin born on May 14, 1936. Tragically his life was cut short due to having rheumatic fever in childhood and Darin died after a heart operation at the age of 37. His musical style includes pop, rock, folk and country. His first big selling and well-known hit was “Splish Splash” in 1958. This was followed by a string of great songs including “Dream Lover”, “Mack the Knife” and “Beyond the Sea” which brought him international fame. “Mack the Knife” “Beyond the Sea” Among his country music hits were “Things”, “You’re the Reason I’m Living” and “18 Yellow Roses”. “You’re the Reason I’m Living”   Bobby Darin’s final hit single was “If I Were a Carpenter” Darin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1999. He rece

Released in 1963 it includes wonderful Christmas songs. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” “A Song and a Christmas Tree” “The Little Drummer Boy”   “Silent Night, Holy Night”

Andy Williams had an incredible voice and talent but I personally think he was rather overshadowed by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin among other perhaps more popular singers. He was born Howard Andrew Williams in 1927. His signature song was “Moon River” Andy Williams began his solo career in 1953. Some of his most popular hits include “Canadian Sunset”   “Butterfly” and “Can’t Get Used to Losing You”   His TV show The Andy Williams Show received three Emmy Awards. In 2002 Williams rerecorded "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You” with British actress and singer Denise van Outen Williams died on September 25, 2012 at the age of 84. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Williams     Google image

The album is called A Swingin’ Christmas and it was released in 2008. Tony Bennett offer you Christmas songs in his style accompanied by the Count Basie Big Band. “All I Want for Christmas” "Silver Bells" "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" “The Christmas Waltz”   Happy Holidays to everyone! Google image

This wonderful singer arrived into this world official as Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926. He is a popular American singer and is known for singing well-known pop standards, show tunes and jazz. He has won 17 Grammy Awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 and sold over 50 million record all around the globe. God gave this man two talents and he is also a creative painter signing his works as Anthony Benedetto. These art works ar on permanent public display in different institutions. He’s the founder of the Frank Sinatra School of Arts in Astoria, Queens, New York City. Tony Bennett’s first number one hit was “Because of You” in 1951 One of his other hits which I consider to be a song that can be identified with him is “Rags to Riches”   He then turned to jazz singing and in 1962 he recorded his signature song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” As the years rolled on this singer has accomplished what many o

Johnny Mathis sang wonderful Christmas songs and so that since I’m choosing many singers for the great Christmas spirit they gave to everyone I have chosen some songs sung by Johnny Mathis which I haven’t already posted. “What Child is This” “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” “Christmas is a Feeling You Have in Your Heart”   Let the music fill your hearts with the spirit of Christmas as you gather round the Christmas tree.

A popular American singer Johnny Mathis has lots of hits that his many fans enjoy. As a young teen the very first song he ever sang was “My Blue Heaven” In 1956 two of his most popular songs were “Wonderful! Wonderful! and “It’s Not For Me to Say” In 1978 Mathis came out with a song that rose on the pop charts which he sang with Deniece Williams “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” Other favorites by this singer are “Misty” and one of my all time favorites   “The Twelfth of Never” Johnny Mathis has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and into the Great American Songbook Hall of Fame.  

Songs of December was recorded by Paul Anka in 2011 and includes popular Christmas songs. It is an album which is just right to put you in the Christmas holiday mood. “Let It Snow” “It’s Christmas Everywhere” “The Christmas Song” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and a special treat for you Anka's version of "Jingle Bell"