This is ScottYee's post from the other forum. I thought it was a great idea, it helps us to compare and to know a little about all our friends here on this forum.
Thank you so very much Scott Yee you're special. Scott, I thought it would be OK to copy this post to this forum.
John C.


Ok, just what are YOUR favorite songs?

Realizing that as musicians, our personal favorite song list may differ from the typically requested general audience favorites, I think it would be interesting to find out what the PERSONAL favorite songs are of the rest of the Synthzone membership as well. Please share.

Scott

What a tough question?

As a music lover I have so many songs I "Love" and even more that I "Like".

I'm certain that to many of you my favorite song might be considered strange. It's "A Song For You" by Leon Russell.

OK so why do I love it? I find the melody to be hauntingly beautiful and the lyrics say just about everything a song writer could say about loving someone and not always knowing how to say or show it.

I've heard serveal versions of the song but Leon's version remains my favorite. Ray Charles' version takes a very close second.

My Best to All,
Heather

Oh Heather! That is the toughest of questions. There are so many great songs and I guess my favourite of the moment depends on what kind of mood I'm in and/or what I'm listening to or playing at the moment.

Peter

My Oh My!
Following the "crash" I had to re-register and see that I've lost all seniority and been relegated to being a junior again.
Still, I suppose that being regarded as a junior at my age is no bad thing......

Peter

Hi Heather,

I too really LOVE the song "A Song For You" written by Leon Rusell. I also really like his song: "This Masquerade" which has that same haunting sound. Though I certainly enjoy Rusell's rendition of both, I particularly LOVE Karen Carpenter's rendition of BOTH of these tunes as well. In fact, I rate Karen Carpenter's hauntingly beautiful voice in the same league as Ella Fitzgerald. I have a DVD recording of Karen & Ella singing "This Masquerade" as a duet. A timeless treasure.

I hope others will add their personal favorite songs to this thread as well as the reason you consider it your favorite as well.

Scott

John C (bruno123), thanks for spreading my 'favorite song' topic idea to our friends on this Technics forum as well. btw John, what are 'your' personal fav songs?

I started it specifically knowing that our 'personal' special favorite songs often differ from general (non musician) audiences. I’ve noticed that song favorites given by the general public most often are the songs they enjoyed most during their coming of age (14-24) years. I suppose I'm a bit different because, though I fondly recall the hits from my adolescent years, my song 'favorites' were written before my time. For me, a lastingly memorable song must: 1) deliver a convincingly believeable story/message, 2) have an interesting melody or beat (groove) and/or have interesting (chord) changes.

Ok, here are my current personal favorite songs along with associated recording artists

Standards:
Cheek To Cheek – Irving Berlin, performed by Buddy Greco
Come Fly With Me - performed by Frank Sinatra
Don't Fence Me In - Cole Porter, peformed by Rosemary Clooney
Embraceable You - George Gershwin, performed by Sarah Vaughan
I'm An Old Cowhand - Johnny Mercer, performed by Harry Connick Jr.
Lady Is A Tramp – Rogers & Hart, performed by Buddy Greco
Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Harold Arlen, performed by Judy Garland
This Could Be The Start Of Something Big – Steve Allen, performed by Buddy Greco
Too Marvelous For Words - Johnny Mercer, performed by Ella Fitzgerald
Top Hat White Tie and Tails - Irving Berlin, performed by Fred Astaire

Latin:
Boulevard of Broken Dreams - performed by Diana Krall
Sway - performed by Peter Cincotti
This Masquerade – Leon Russell, performed by Karen Carpenter & Ella Fitzgerald
Wave - Antonio Carlos Jobim

Country/R&B Blues
Big City - Merle Haggard
Cold Cold Heart - Hank Williams Sr, performed by Norah Jones
For The Goodtimes - Ray Price
He Walked On Water - Randy Travis
I Won't Mention It Again - Ray Price
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - Hank Williams Sr, performed by BJ Thomas
Long Gone Lonesome Blues - Hank Williams Sr
Night Life, the, performed by Ray Price
Ring Of Fire - Johnny Cash
Satisfied Mind - Porter Wagoner
Sweet Dreams - Patsy Cline
When Something Is Wrong With My Baby – Patti LaBelle & Travis Tritt

Ballads:
Anyone Who Had A Heart - Burt Bacharach, performed by Wynonna Judd
But For Now - Bob Dorough, performed by Jamie Cullum
If I Fell – Beatles
Midnight Sun – Johnny Mercer, performed by Sarah Vaughan
Poor Side Of Town - Johnny Rivers
Rainbow Connection - Kermit (Jim Henson)
Stardust – Hoagy Carmichael
Yesterday - Beatles (especially after 9/11 with revised lyrics

I'm looking forward to hearing personal song/artist favorites from others here.

Scott

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http://scottyee.com

Hi Scott,

Great list! Many of my favorites appear on your list. Dianna Krall does a great job with "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", but I prefer Billy Eckstein's rendition because of his very rich voice and big band.

Your point that most people's favorites were formed during their teen and early adult years is certainly true in my case. I grew up in the 30s and 40s, became a young adult in 1950, so my taste in music is still the music that was written and played during that period. Country music has always been a favorite. Hank Williams Sr. is my all-time favorite country singer/writer. I played a barely acceptable country guitar in my teen years. My brother and our friends and I used to sit around singing Cold, Cold Heart, the Lovesick Blues and all of Hank's great songs. What wonderful memories!

If I have some time to spare next week I will try to come up with my list of favorites. Take care.

Best Wishes,

Chuck

I’m afraid I’m a sucker for a melody and find that many of the great melodies were written in the 30’s and 40’s. My favorite composer of melodies is Henry Mancini. I feel that a great melody can be presented in many different way. We’ve seen Diana Krall put wonderful old standards to a soft latin beat. While there are too many to list, I’ll give you my two favorites from the Mancini song book.
“Just You And Me Together Love”
“Loss Of Love”
And, perhaps add one more from Cootie Williams and Thelonious Monk.
“Round Midnight”

Frank

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Scottyee:
[B]John C (bruno123), thanks for spreading my 'favorite song' topic idea to our friends on this Technics forum as well. btw John, what are 'your' personal fav songs?

Well, let me see. What are my favorite songs?
I had to play Hello Dolly 1,095 times, so that's out. Chicken dance, no way.

I'm glad there is you
Tenderly
Satin doll
Moonlight Serenade
Stardust
What now my love
If it's the last thing I do I'll make you mine
How high the moon
Watch what happens
Y M C A, no, error, delete --naw, the dancers still love it -- it's not me
New York, New York
It had to be you
Night and day
Dancing in the dark
The lady is a tramp
Nice and easy
Serenade in blue
Nearness of you
And I love you so
September morn
Irving Berlin
Frank Sinatra
OK, you got me -- I love sentimental music. I do play up-tempos, rock, disco, ect, but my alone time is filled with meaningful sentimental music. No rushing, no strong tempo, just gliding and feeling.


Latin music

Wave
Quiet nights
Meditation
How insensitive
Girl from Ipanema
Yellows days
Dindi (Jin-Jee)

There is so many beautiful songs I could fill this page. There are times when I open one of my fake books and play song after song. Then I'm off to bed with a pleasent smile on my face.

I said to my friend, "music makes you feel good". He responded, "No John, I think it's music makes you feel period".

Life is so good, John C.

Wow, so many favorite tunes listed by all of you. Many of those songs are also part of my favorite list, but I have to add several more--(not an all-inclusive list, to be sure):

In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
When I Fall in love
They're Writing Songs of Love (But not For Me)
Just about anything by Irving Berlin (one of the most underrated composers of our time, I think--a true genius. By the way his birthdate and mine--May 11--are the same day--although a few years difference); and he was so much better a composer than I am!!!
Maria (from West Side Story)
I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face
You'll Never Know (just how much I love you)
Singing in the Rain

My list is just the beginning, but enough for now. My very favorite? I would have to say Over the Rainbow, a song I consider an incomparable masterpiece of music and lyric. And I know I have forgotten dozens of others that I really also love.

One classic, or semi-classic, that turns me to mush, and makes me weep when I hear it, is the 18th Variation of Rachmaninoff's "Variations on a Theme of Paganini" (you should listen to the entire piece, however, to enjoy the incredible buildup to the 18th. I get chills just thinking about it!). And anything by Puccini.

Lots more, but enough for now, my dear friends.

Ted

Ted,
In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning and Here's that rainy day -- I think I'm going to melt. John C.

I have a fairly wide taste as far as music is concerned - from Rock, Jazz, Big Band, Country, Classical and some of the more melodic 'Pop' songs of the past few decades. On keyboard, I mostly like to play the 'Standards' and 'Evergreens'. Like other contributors to this thread, I could easily fill a page with individual titles - many of which have already been posted above. So, I would just mention the following artists, whose performances I have enjoyed over the years and continue to enjoy thanks to recordings made by them.

Count Basie - just about anything - but particularly Kid from Red Bank (a real Stormer!), April in Paris and L'il Darlin'.
Being a drummer, I love to listen to and watch the artistry of Buddy Rich.
Oscar Peterson - the Master.
Ella Fitzgerald.
Francis Albert Sinatra
The incomparable Louis Armstrong
George Shearing.
The Eagles - Country Rock at it's best.
Jacques Loussier playing Bach - particularly his version of Air in G (The Hamlet Cigar TVadvert music).
I am very fortunate to have attended live performances by all artists above - real musical highlights of my life

As far as Classical music is concerned :
Beethoven : Moonlight Sonata, 5th Symphony
Mozart : Eine Kliene Nachtmusik, Magic Flute
Tchaikovsky : Piano Concerto in Bb minor, Nutcracker Suite
Grieg : Piano Concerto in A minor, Peer Gynt
Bach : Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Brandenburg Concertos
Rachmaninov : Piano Concerto No.2, 18th Variation on on a theme by Paganini
Chopin, Etude in C minor, Piano Sonatas
Wagner - his Prelude to Act 3 of Lohengrin sends the proverbial shivers up my spine!!

Country music - I particulary enjoy the relaxed style of Don Williams and Willie Nelson.

.....and finally, believe it or not, Status Quo !!! I just love the simple basic raw drive, enthusiasm and fun they put into their performances. I've been to several of their live gigs and although I was partially deaf for a day following the concerts, I thoroughly enjoyed every one

Some mixture Eh ??

------------------
Willum

A tough but interesting question, John/Scott. It forces to think about: why does one like special songs/music.
I realise that I have a wide range of favorites, or better to say music.
Of course there are many songs and bands from the 60's en 70's, which CD's I frequently play.
As in former days I played the guitar, you will not be surprised that the Shadows are on my list. Even as Duane Eddy (The Guitar Man). But I remember also Django Rheinhart (Gypsy Jazz) and Julian Breen (Classic/ Spanish).
Many titles I could write down from the Jazz scenes; like Stan Getz, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, Ben Webster and the Hammond virtuose Jimmy Smith etc.
Also the (big) bands like Billy Vaughn (Sail along silvery moon ; Raunchy), Mancini, Jobim, Glenn Miller, James Last etc.
Even I like many songs with house & dance styles and computer-made-music. And synthesizer music from e.g. Michel Jarre
The 'red line' in which music I like I think it is if the song feels good. (e.g. good composition, harmonic and melodious)
If you whish to see more favorites: please list the songs of the great KESO-guest players; about 580 songtitles

I must stop now, I have to listen to a new CD I bought: Harmony from Dan Gibson (relaxation music or easy listening: Exploring Nature With Music)
Cheers,
Cees

[This message has been edited by cees (edited 10-02-2004).]

Hi there - All I can say to all the various players who have listed their favourites. Ditto Ditto Ditto

I sat down last evening at 6p.m. to play one or two favourites. At 9.30p.m. with a crick in my neck and after playing constantly I realised I hadn't even played a small percentage of the songs I love.

I too love 30s, 40s and 50s and the odd song from the later decades:-
Irving Berlin
George Shearing
Gus Kahn
Ivor Novello
Michel Legrand
Simon and Garfunkel
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Hoagy Carmichael
Lionel Richie
Bee Gees
ALL Frank Sinatra's
All Tony Bennett
All Nat King Cole
Celine Dion
Andrea Bocelli
Very partial to Marches

A lovely way to spend an evening
I don't want to walk without you
When you were sweet 16
For the first time (Rod Stewart)
Brother can you spare a dime
Young and Foolish
These Foolish things
Misty
Nightingale sang in Berkeley Square
Stardust
Body and Soul
Cry my a river
I apologise
If ever I would leave you
If you go away
I had the craziest dream last night
The party's over
Rags to Riches
Somewhere
We'll gather lilacs
Somewhere along the way
For all we know (both versions)
The old lamplighter
Till Then
Dream
Once in a while
At last
I know why
Bewitched
Where e'er you walk (Handel)
Meditation (from Thais)
Victorian Parlour Songs
etc., etc., etc.,

Just scratching the surface - I am now off to play a few hundred more - it may take me the rest of my life and I still wouldn't run out of songs to play. Joan

Hi Scott,

I do agree that "This Masquerade" is another favorite of mine.

I started life in the 50s but because my dad played piano in the bars (an at home) I grew up with a love of music from the 20s, 30s and 40s as well.

While I listen most to Clasic Rock from the 50s to the early 80s when I sit to play I find I most often play songs that are on all of these lists.

Why is that? I feel it's because even though I like Rock most of it does not sound as good as the older songs when played without lyrics. For Example, while Jonny B Good is a great song (to me) it does not have much of a melody.

I have a friend who plays a mean guitar but he only like Rock and Disco. Since neither of us sings we don't play much because the songs sound bland with vocals.

It's not true for all Rock but it is for a lot of it.

Best Wishes to All
Heather

I'll Take Care Of Your Cares
I'll Take Care Of Your Cares. Words & Music by Mort Dixon & James Monaco
Recorded by Frankie Laine, 1967 (#39) D9 Edim Fdim D6 B7
-------------------------------------------
I Wish You LoveI Wish You Love. Words & Music by Charles Trenet English Translation by Albert A. Beach Recorded by Frank Sinatra, 1964 Gdim Dm DM ...
BEBOP

[This message has been edited by BEBOP (edited 10-04-2004).]

Holy Moly, that is difficult. I looked at John.C's and 98% of his list would be my list and then about 60% of all the others.
Isn't music grand?

Peter

[B]Holy Moly, that is difficult. I looked at John.C's and 98% of his list would be my list and then about 60% of all the others.
Isn't music grand? Peter

Peter, if you are playing 98% of what's on my list, then you are playing the right songs!! ha ha ha ha, John C. (grin)

Hi All,

I've finally found time to sit here and list some of my favorite songs. As I said in my earlier post on this topic, I favor the music of the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. Some good music has been written occasionally since then, but the vast majority of what masquerades as music today is, as I have so often remarked, just noise pollution. My opinion of course. So here's my list (not in any specific order of preference):

Try A Little Tenderness
You Do Something To Me
Embraceable You
My Blue Heaven
Misty
Teach Me Tonight
Who Can I Turn To
The Days Of Wine And Roses
The Girl From Ipanema
Shangrila
Come Fly With Me
Georgia
Don't Blame Me
Pennies From Heaven
It's Magic
Over The Rainbow
Because Of You
I Left My Heart In San Francisco
Once In A While
Satin Doll
Amor
Arrivederci Roma
Moonlight In Vermont
Hawaiian Wedding Song
Aloha Oe
Moon River
Moonglow
I'm In The Mood For Love
These Foolish Things
Moonlight Serenade
Everything I Have Is Yours
Ebb Tide
The Shadow Of Your Smile
Love Is A Many Splendored Thing

I have deliberately omitted country music because the list would be too long. However, country music is in my heart and soul.

I was in the gym today for my usual workout. The PA system is always turned to the max with some voiceless idiot screaming a mindless piece of repetitive "noise pollution", my definition of today's pop music. Thank goodness I can take my personal CD player and earphones along and listen to good music. My poor little CD player has to work hard in its attempt to override the noise pollution. It can't cope completely, but it does a pretty good job.

Best Wishes to All,

Chuck
Manchester, UK