Guilty Musical Pleasures

[bhowells]

How many of you out there have favourite songs by artists who are not considered cool or have rarely been ciritically acclaimed.



Here are some of mine. Anything by old folkies The Kingston Trio, they were frequently slagged off by critics in their day for their commercial take on folk songs, they certainly sound a bit passe now but I love their stuff.



Anything from Sonny and Cher's MOR period of the early seventies especially their hit,"All I Ever Need Is You.



I love cd's of old tv themes, one of my favourite tunes is Ron Grainers very cheesy theme to the old "Comedy Playhouse." series.



Returning to folk music I cant resist Nina and Fredericks recording of "Listen to the Ocean," and ,"Sippin Cider." a folk song which has the same meoldy as Lily The Pink.



My last choice is from that underated genius Gilbert O 'Sullivan, I was a fan in my teens and have recently started listening again.



"Nothing Rhymed","Matrimony." and the much covered,"Alone Again Naturarlly." are undoubted classics. One song of his that intrigues me is his minor hits, "We Will.", dont know if any of out here knowit but I cant make up my mind if the song is about an eldeerly Dad, a single parent or a grandfather who has his grandchildren staying with him.

[Straff]

I have a well-worn copy of the Osmonds' album 'The Plan'. Some think it slightly messianic perhaps, but I like it. In fact, I'm going to wear it out a bit more right now. Thanks for reminding me!

[Mark O]

I've always loved 'Little Donkey' by Nina & Frederick.......I still do!

[wadsy]

"Les Bicyclette de Belsize" by the totally uncool Engelbert Humperdinck!

[bhowells]

name='Straff']I have a well-worn copy of the Osmonds' album 'The Plan'. Some think it slightly messianic perhaps, but I like it. In fact, I'm going to wear it out a bit more right now. Thanks for reminding me!

My wife and I are off to see The Osmonds in Cardiff arena tomorow night. Did you hear the Osmonds track on Michael Ball's radio two show yesterday, on his classic album slot. Not sure if might have been The Plan.



My only reservation about seeing The Osmonds is the fact that Jimmy is threatening to do ,"Long Haired Lover From Liverpool, I can listent to quite a few naff records in an ironic way, but that song is beyond a joke and Little Jimmyis about 45 now.



However, I do confess to having purchased it in 1972, the b side,"Mother of Mine." is equally atrocious.



It was always ok for lads to admit to liking,"Crazy Horses." in those days.

[Mark O]

'White horses', and 'Rupert the bear' by Jackie are also faves......even worse, I still play them!



"on white horses, snowy white horses, let me ride away.......away.......away"

[ShirlGirl]

My guilty pleasures are mostly from MGM films of the 1950s. I still have all my old 78s such as Jane Powell singing "Goin' Courtin" and Wonderful Wonderful Day" (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) "Vocalize" and "Love Can Change the Stars" (Athena), "My Hero", " A Heart That's Free" and "Oceana Roll" (Two Weeks With Love) - lots more... Howard Keel, Gordon MacRae, Doris Day and Ann Blyth - who had the best, loveliest soprano voice of all, with Shirley Jones a close second.



And my No.1 favourite Debbie Reynolds, especially an obscure song called "A Hillside in Scotland", which she sings so sweetly, on the flip side of "Tammy".



Also hits of the 50s, such as Jo Stafford - "Shrimp Boats", Gogi Grant - "The Wayward Wind" and all the Guy Mitchell songs.



Another is Johnny Mathis - just about everything he sings.



[Side-tracking for a moment, here's a good Johnny Mathis quote...

"If you really want to learn about a person, play a round of golf with him or her. You'll learn how they treat their dog, their husband or wife, and their children. You'll learn how they react to missed opportunities, because that's all golf is--a lot of missed opportunities."]



Hmm, reading all that, I realise what a guilty person I am!

[John Llewellyn Moxey]

Anyone else like Roy Orbison or the Travelling Wilburys?



Anyhoo I do!



John

[batman]

name='John Llewellyn Moxey']Anyone else like Roy Orbison or the Travelling Wilburys?



Anyhoo I do!



John

Not heard much Wilburys stuff but I like Tom Petty (who I believe was a Wilbury) and Roy Orbison.

[kelp]

A song that really makes me think of my younger days and the hot summers we had, and the James Dean clothes we wore and the feeling of rights of passage......listen to "Summer The First Time" by Bobby Goldsborough. Now I know he is fairly well known, but not a world-wide hit by any means. Brilliant voice and that haunting piano all the way through it. Excellent stuff.

I must play it again now.........

[Freddy]

name='John Llewellyn Moxey']Anyone else like Roy Orbison or the Travelling Wilburys?



Anyhoo I do!



John

Yes John,

Roy Orbison, his song 'The Comedians' is my favourite, a wonderful story, great lyrics with a voice to match.

Went to see a musical featuring his life story and songs. When recalling the death of his two sons in a fire at their home Roy sang In Dreams while a member of the band played Danny Boy on the Harmonica. Heart wrenching.



regards

Freddy



ps. An episode of Murder She Wrote which you directed was on BBC2 last week, 'Murder in the Electric Cathedral' with Steve Forest and Judy Geeson.

[John Llewellyn Moxey]

name='Freddy']Yes John,

Roy Orbison, his song 'The Comedians' is my favourite, a wonderful story, great lyrics with a voice to match.

Went to see a musical featuring his life story and songs. When recalling the death of his two sons in a fire at their home Roy sang In Dreams while a member of the band played Danny Boy on the Harmonica. Heart wrenching.



regards

Freddy



ps. An episode of Murder She Wrote which you directed was on BBC2 last week, 'Murder in the Electric Cathedral' with Steve Forest and Judy Geeson.

Thanks Freddy. Judy Geeson is something else! Orbison was unique.



All the best John

[SirOllyBolly]

The theme to "The Professionals".



Which I have in my car.







Derr-nerr-nerr....

[TimR]

John Denver's Take Me Home Country Roads and Rocky Mountain High.



Olivia Newton John's 70's pop-fake-country period: Have You Never Been Mellow and Please, Mister, Please and If You Love Me Let Me Know.

[ShirlGirl]

name='TimR']John Denver's Take Me Home Country Roads and Rocky Mountain High.



Olivia Newton John's 70's pop-fake-country period: Have You Never Been Mellow and Please, Mister, Please and If You Love Me Let Me Know.

"Pop-fake-country period" - I like that, good description!





Livvy had a huge No.1 hit Down Under, which a friend of mine in the UK had never even heard of, which surprised me. Apparently it never made the Top Twenty in the UK. Although I wouldn't put it in the above category, it did make No.6 on the Country charts in the USA as well as being her first No.1 pop hit single there and in Canada. Written for her by Peter Allen...



I Honestly Love You

[billy bentley]

Living on top of a bar, I've grown quite fond oif Guns'N'Roses 'Sweet Child Of Mine' !

[bhowells]

I think Peter Allen wrote "We Are All Alone" recorded by Elkie Brookes and Rita Coolidge.



Some years ago I went to a record fair and bought a number of vinyl albums they guy slipped a Peter Allen album in as a freebie. Didnt think much of him as a vocalist but he did write some decent songs. One track on the lp I had was a number called."I Could Have Been A Sailor, this was covered by Jack Jones.

[Harleybloke]

I have a Napster account and a set of headphones................if the kids only knew...............Vera Lynn, Gary Glitter, Mary Fahl, AC/DC, Mel C,Faith Hill, Chicory Tip.......................

[amina]

I have always loved the band A-HA and still do. I have fancied the pants off the lead singer in the band since I was a young girl, and yes I still do.

[donna]

name='John Llewellyn Moxey']Anyone else like Roy Orbison or the Travelling Wilburys?



Anyhoo I do!



John

Loved Roy Orbison , what a voice he had, IN Dreams, fantastic. like Gene Pitney and Del Shannon too but listen a lot to Dino now he relaxes me.