I love The Temptations, my favorite group of all-time. For me, this song, written by Smokey Robinson, taught me, that's right, it taught me how wonderful it is to be proud of the woman you love, and how the woman you love can make you "feel" so extraordinarily wonderful, " . . . even on a cloudy day!" I immediately got lost in David Ruffin's lead vocals and the fullness and strategically placed vocal punctuation of background vocals by Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, and Otis Williams. My music collection includes every commercial song recorded and released by The Temptations.

The World's Greatest Entertainer of the 20th Century, and one of the most underrated male vocalist of any generation. Sammy Davis, Jr. could do anything, everything - sing jazz, pop, broadway, country, gospel - and dance, oh, he could really dance, and act, competently play about 15+ musical intruments, do impressions, again, he could do anything. This is an extremely powerful song, written specifically for Davis by his friend, Paul Anka. Arguably, you could consider this song akin to Sinatra's "My Way." It's such a beautiful, heartfelt song. A truly exception vocal performance!

With my old 45rpm record player, I used to play the original 6:11 minute version of this song - for hours and hours and hours, all day - when it was originally released back 1968. Eventually, my parents came to me and said, "Trip, would you please stop playing that song?" To this very day, I consider this song the most dynamic combined example of doo-wop, jazz, and R&B ever recorded. The heartfelt vocals by the Mighty, Mighty Dells (Verne Allison, Marvin Junior, Michael McGill, Chuck Barksdale, and Johnny Carter) are exceptional, especially the shared lead vocals by Junior and Carter, and Junior holding a single note for 25+ seconds. Legendary!!! My music collection includes every commercial song recorded and released by The Dells.

Boléro is a one-movement orchestral piece by Maurice Ravel (1875–1937) that builds and builds and builds into a fantastic, overpowering crescendo. As sung by Shirley Bassey, the coda (end) of this song is that rare example of how one voice, one extremely powerful voice can beautifully overpower an entire orchestra. Bassey begins by gently using her voice to softly tell a story, a sad story about lost potential, and unrealized dreams. Bassey sings with power, but with control as her voice mirrors the peaks and valleys of the story. Then, at the coda Bassey unleashes the supreme power of her voice, unfettered, and it's amazing! I've played this coda over and over and over and over in complete awe of Bassey's brilliance and masterful control of her vocal instrument. My music collection includes every commercial song recorded and released by Shirley Bassey.

If you've never heard of Phil Perry, you've missed out on one of the best singers ever - period! Like Shirley Bassey, Perry's vocals are so damn strong it's just . . . scary. His vocal power and range is formidable. Perry, who also wrote this song, has a flair for writing emotionally intense R&B "begging songs," and although he continues to record, he really should write more. He literally bares his soul as he sings, shouts, and yells "Just to make you happy I'd die, I'd lay down my life, without asking why, just for your love." As with "You've Been My Inspiration," the lyrics of this song convey just how serious I am that my "ideal" woman knows I'm thoroughly committed to make her happy!

Original rap. No sampling here. A great bottom (bass) that just rumbles and vibrates. It vibrates. You're compelled to stomp your feet to this jam. And there's the piano providing two or three chords to anchor the counter-balancing melody; and the electric guitar that whines its own counter-balancing melody; and the background vocals that strategically appear to slap your ears into a musical climax. This "sound" is alive. Stomp your feet damnit and party!

One of the three most underrated female vocalist of any generation. Doris Day could sing jazz, pop, country, broadway, gospel - anything. Her voice is so clear, so very feminine, so sensual and sultry, and powerful, but always classy. Put your headphones on and listen carefully to the echo in the wake of Day's voice at the refrain, and as she caresses the lyrics with rhythm at each beat. Close your eyes, pat your feet, and get lost in her voice. Yummy. Ummm. My music collection includes every commercial song recorded and released by Doris Day.

One of the three most underrated female vocalist of any generation. Eydie Gorme could also sing jazz, pop, broadway, country, gospel - anything and in Spanish! Her voice is so clear, so very feminine, so sensual and sultry, and powerful, but always resonated so classy. Listen to the absolute control she holds over her voice, and how her voice compels you to listen to the story she sings. The duets with her equally talented husband and underrated singer, Steve Lawrence, are equally as great!

 

One of the three most underrated female vocalist of any generation. Judy Garland could also sing jazz, pop, broadway, country, gospel - anything, but she truly excelled in using her voice to tell the story of life's ups and downs, life's challenges and trimphs, life's hopes and dreams. For many people, Garland is best known for her legendary success with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," but Garland sings this song from the 1954 film, "A Star Is Born," with the impact of adult-love lost and the wisdom that comes from such. Note the wisdom Garland acquired over nine years as conveyed in these two videos, from 1954 when she as 32 years of age, and from 1963 when she was 41 years of age. This is a great song by an extremely talented artist. Dynamite!