Essentials 4

Download: Teardrops – Womack & Womack (1988) (Right Click, Open in new window)(Alt Link)

* This song was a massive hit for Cecil Womack of The Valentinos (aka The Womack Brothers) and his wife Linda Cooke (daughter of Same Cooke). Architecture In Helsinki have recently played a cover of this song live on their Australian tour supporting The Presets to rave responses.

Download: Be My Baby – The Ronettes (1963) (Right Click, Open in new window)(Alt Link)

*This song is the most famous "wall of sound" production by the legendary Phil Spector. Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson calls it "the greatest pop record of all time", which is a massive call, and its legacy is still an important influence on many musicians and producers across many genres today. Spector was recently charged with the 2003 "accidental" murder of actress Lana Clarkson and will spend the next 19 years in prison.

Download: Killing Me Softly (Roberta Flack Cover) – The Fugees (1996) (Right Click, Open in new window)(Alt Link)

*Inspired by Lori Lieberman’s reponse to seeing Don McLean perform “Empty Chairs” in concert, this song was a big hit for Roberta Flack in 1971, with a re-interest being generated by alternative hip hop trio The Fugees in 1996, who’s version was an international number 1 that cemented the careers of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras. It’s spare, vocal-based arrangement is the key to it’s effectiveness.

Download: La Vie En Rose – Edith Piaf (1946) (Right Click, Open in new window)(Alt Link)

* This song is France’s most famous musical recording by far. It acts a signature for Edith Piaf’s considerably short but immensely influential career, as well as French culture in general. This original mono recording is considered by many as one of the moodiest and most hypnotising recordings of the 20th century, and I certainly don’t shy away from a midnight stargaze whilst listening to this song every now and then.

Download: Careless Whisper – George Michael (1984) (Right Click, Open in new window)(Alt Link)

*Originally released by Wham!, this song has become a staple of George Michael’s career and live performances. Michael says he wrote the song in his head during a shift when working at the local cinema as an usher in his late teens, with the now infamous saxophone riff coming to him as he boarded a bus home after said shift.

Bonus: Careless Whisper (George Michael Cover) – Gossip (2007) (Right Click, Open in new window)(Alt Link)

Cheers, Thanks a lot,

Viv