james
A Number and a Name
Posts: 14
|
Post by james on Feb 25, 2012 12:56:43 GMT -5
In your opinion what are the best 3 studio albums of each of these artists:
Bette Midler
Carly Simon
Diana Ross
Paul Simon
Elton John
Billy Joel
Paul McCartney
John Lennon
|
|
|
|
Post by Partridge on Feb 26, 2012 23:57:59 GMT -5
Elton John- I prefer the early ones:
Tumbleweed Connection
Honky Chateau
A Single Man
overrated: Captain Fantastic
bloated: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Blue Moves
|
|
|
|
Post by Partridge on Feb 27, 2012 0:01:06 GMT -5
Bette Midler- I think she peaked with the debut album. I first saw her when I came home and turned on the tube and she was on the couch talking to Johnny Carson- I was a fan before I even heard her sing.
The Divine Miss M
sings The Peggy Lee Rosemary Clooney Songbook
Bette Midler
Most of Bette's albums are hit and miss for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by rick on Feb 27, 2012 3:09:54 GMT -5
I tend to agree with Tony about Bette's studio albums. While I buy Bette Midler's albums, I find her to be pretty hit and miss. And, again, not mentioning soundtrack albums, such as "For the Boys," or live albums, I would say
"The Divine Miss M"
"Sings the Rosemary Cloooney Songbook" (With Linda Ronstadt on "Sisters"!)
Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook"
Back in 1964, when The Beatles invaded America, my brother was Beatles-crazy, and my sister was Supremes-crazy, and so both played in our house constantly. Again, assuming you mean Diana Ross as a solo artist, and then, I'd have to say...
diana (the 1980 album, produced by Chic and then "tweaked" by Motown)
Diana Ross (the 1970 debut solo album)
Diana Ross (the 1976 album featuring "Love Hangover" just reissued by Hip-O/Motown Select in an expanded two-disc edition)
(runner-up for me would be "Baby, It's Me")
As for Paul Simon, I am assuming this again omits live albums, greatest hits, and Simon and Garfunkel, I would choose
"Graceland" (another guest appearance by Linda Ronstadt!)
"Rhythm of the Saints"
"Still Crazy After All These Years"
As for Carly Simon, when she first came into my awareness was "That's the Way I Always Heard It Should Be" and bought that single. My personal favorites (when you ask for "best" -- this is subjective, of course) are --
"Boys in the Trees"
"Playing Possum"
"Torch"
I was in college when "Playing Possum" came out and I played that album a lot. (I believe Linda sings back-up on "Attitude Dancing".) It was a pretty sexually aggressive album for Carly Simon, circa 1975, with songs like "Put Your Love Out in the Street," "Slave," and "Waterfall," not to mention the cover. And then on "Boys in the Trees," I always loved "You Belong to Me" and thought it had a great lyric and hook. The first time I ever heard Stephen Sondheim's song "Not a Day Goes By" was this version by Carly. There are other versions recorded since then that tug at my heart differently, but sometimes the first time stays in one's memory like nothing else. It had a beautiful arrangement. It was not the purist version of a standards album that Linda would do in 1983 with Nelson Riddle on "What's New?" but Carly was coming off of "Come Upstairs" when she recorded "Torch."
|
|
|
|
Post by Dianna on Feb 27, 2012 13:32:04 GMT -5
In your opinion what are the best 3 studio albums of each of these artists: Bette Midler Carly Simon Diana Ross Paul Simon Elton John Billy Joel Paul McCartney John Lennon Gosh, the only persons entire album of songs I have purchased on that list are Eltons, Billy's and John's.. Double fantasy has to be my favorite stand out of the 3.. I even like "Yoko's cuts on the album.. Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss me love.... and that crazy animal howling sound she throws in.. perfect. lol |
|
|
|
Post by fabtastique on Mar 1, 2012 2:30:34 GMT -5
My contribution to this thread : Bette - I like both songbooks and Broken Blossom (golden oldie!) Carly - Torch, Coming Around Again, My Romance Diana - Eaten Alive, Blue, Rogers & Hart Collection (with the Supremes) Elton and Billy - hits collections only I'm afraid Can't really comment on the others as I don't own much  |
|
