This is my favorite of all of the Van Morrison tunes I have heard to date. “Van The Man” is as soulful as they come.

This super-soulful version of “Moondance“  appeared on the second LP  of his vocal solo career, also entitled “Moondance.”  This album peaked the Billboard Album Chart at #29.

The “Moondance” single, composed by songwriter, musician and singer Van himself, was not released until 1977 and only charted  #92 Pop. Go figure!  But the tune gets frequent air play on adult contemporary radio to this day --  so it is now a beloved classic!

Born George Ivan Morrison in Belfast, Ireland there will certainly more more of Van to come on this blog in the near and distant future.

In the meantime please enjoy this 1980 live performance of “Moondance.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-kLeQkJRxU

Musically Yours,

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I loved Peggy Lee singing her signature cover song  “Fever” in the Fifties  (another of my Barbie doll’s favorites to sing in a night club -- LOL) and her her songs from Disney’s 1955 American film “Lady & The Tramp” Soundtrack!

But her only Grammy win was The Grammy for  the 1969 Best Contemporary Vocal Performance, Female that went to   “Is That All There Is.”  The arrangement makes me think of  the musical “Cabaret”!

This Lieber and Stoller penned classic  charted #1 Adult Contemporary and #11 on the Billboard T op 100. This was Peggy’s (born Norma Deloris Egstrom)  last number one hit.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe9kKf7SHco

And here are two of my faves from “Lady & The Tramp.” Actually I have never seen the movie all of the way through or if I did as a child I don’t recall the plot. I only remember these awesome songs! What about you? Do you recall the plot?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN69gnkNtLo

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL9hooe-yKQ

The Siamese Cat Song

Lear More about Peggy at this site.

Musically Yours,

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Song writer, singer and session musician Joe Souter, known professionally as Joe South, had written and played on many hits for other artists — but  his composition “Games People Play” was his first chart topping hit at #12 on the Billboard Top 100: plus it won him not one but two Grammys as songwriter!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k0GUDfqmnU

The 1969 Grammy for Song of the Year went to “Games People Play” written by Joe South.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5znh58WITU8

The 1969 Grammy for Best Contemporary Song went to “Games People Play written by Joe South

Last but not least the 1969 Grammy for Best R&B Instrumental Performance went to “Games People Play” performed by King Curtis. Curtis, Born  Curtis Ousley,  was both a  renowned soloist and session musician on his tenor sax.

So there you have it — one awesome song and three Grammy wins!

Trivia: South  was inspired to write this award winning song by Dr. Eric Berne’s 19   book “Games People Play:
The psychology of human relationships”

More Trivia: King Curtis and Duane Allman were both session players and great friends. They played together often and both Curtis and Allman are playing in the GPP track above.

Musically Yours,

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The 5th Dimension – California Soul (1969 Charted #49 R&B & #25 Pop)

Recorded in 1968 for their “Stone Soul Picnic” album on Buddah records, “California Soul” was the third hit single released from the LP after “Stoned Soul Picnic” and “Sweet Blindness”. This classic set charted #10 R&B and #21 Pop and showcased the fabulous harmonies of the group.

Marlena Shaw – California Soul (1969)

Jazz vocalist Marlena Shaw covered this Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson song for her 1969 “Spice of Life” LP on the Cadet label. I could find no record of the song or the album charting but BOTH the song and the LP are classic IMHO. Don’t you think so too?

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – California Soul (1969)

This Motown cover is from the duo’s third and final LP “Easy.”  It’s highest rating was only #184 on Billboard’s pop album chart but I still love this set and the “CS” cover.

It wasn’t until very recently that I learned that, since this LP was completed during Miss Terrell’s illness, some of the vocals on some of the songs were sung by Valerie Simpson. Upon closer listening I can hear the difference, but nevertheless I like the entire album and this song is definitely blessed with the Motown sound.

Please enjoy the music and then vote on which you prefer below.

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[audio http://boxstr.com/files/3246822_tykke/Hold%20It%20Right%20There.mp3] Ramsey Lewis Trio – Hold It Right There [1966]

As promised this song was the third R&B Grammy given out in 1966.  “Hold It Right There”, as recorded by The Ramsey Lewis Trio, won in the newly created category Best Rhythm and Blues Group, Vocal or Instrumental 1966

This was the second Grammy in a row for The Ramsey Lewis Trio. The Trio had won the 1965 Best Jazz Performance – Small Group or Soloist with Small group for “The In Crowd”: Check out my earlier post to hear the song.

“Hold it Right There”, composed by Richard Evans, came from that smash LP “Wade in the Water”. The title song, IMHO, was the best cut on that LP.  I find it odd that the title song did not win the Grammy Award,  but Grammy is a wierd animal.

The “WITW” LP went #2 Billboard R&B and #16 Billboard Pop. I vividly recall it being played just about everywhere I went in my community in 1996.

Its also bit odd that this song won In the R&B category since it is performed in Mr. Lewis’ traditional Jazz/pop style. But as I have said before,  the Grammys took a long while to get it right and it still isn’t all that it can and should be. I think that is why so many other music awards shows eventually sprang up –  to try to correct the perceived wrongs of the Grammy Academy.

Please keep the oldies alive and thank you for visiting.

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[audio http://www.hotlinkfiles.com/files/999164_jahum/15.RamseyLewis-TheInCrowd.mp3] The Ramsey Lewis Trio – The In Crowd (1965)

Written by Billy Page, this instrumental cover of Dobie Gray’s original, actually out-charted it by reaching #5 in the U.S. The original only went to #13. In fact The Ramsey Lewis Trio’s cover version won Ramsey his first of three Grammys — taking home the “1965 Best Jazz Performance by a Small Group or Soloist with Small Group” (Phew – what a mouthful!). Also the album of the same name, that contained the song, was the first of five gold records Mr. Lewis earned! This LP was recorded live over three days during a club date at the Bohemian Caverns in Washington, DC.

Ramsey Lewis is still performing his music today. You may check out his official web site for current performance information.

If anything about this song reminds you of the prior post by Young-Holt Unlimited, please don’t think it is your ears deceiving you. The Ramsey Lewis Trio’s original trio members included the founding members of Young-Holt Unlimited! Same musicians — same groovy sound.

In addition to checking out Mr. Lewis’ official web site you may read more about his musical career here.

Thanks for listening to the music. I love it when you stop by to visit.

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