Notting Hill Soundtrack Pt 1

Clockwise: 'Notting Hill' soundtrack cover; Lighthouse Family; 98 Degrees; and Al Green; Ronan Keating.

While I was feeling under the weather yesterday, I watched a Hugh Grant mini-marathon, catching both 'Notting Hill' and 'Love Actually' on cable. It reminded me how much I liked the soundtrack to the former, and so I decided re-post my take on if from two years ago.

I will admit that I think 'Notting Hill' is my favorite Julia Roberts movie, and in the top 5 of Hugh Grant's film, although 'Maurice' remains my favorite. I also thought the movie had a wonderful soundtrack, and I've been wanting to do a post forever. Once I stated putting this together, I figured out I needed to make two posts, so this is the first installment, and the second will be coming later tonight. But I will start with the song from the boyband which gave us Nick Lachey and his brother Drew (long before he won on 'Dancing With The Stars'), 98 Degrees. The Lachey boys were joined by Justin Jeffre and Jeff Timmons, two more cuties. They were together in the 1990s, making a few hits. "I Do (Cherish You)" was a hit in 1998, making it to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1999, it was in 'Notting Hill', adding sweetness to the soundtrack.

The next song had a rich and interesting history. It was written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, and first recorded by Country star Keith Whitley, released late in 1988. The song took a few weeks, but finally sat atop the Billboard Country chart for two weeks. In 1994, bluegrass band Union Station recorded the song for a tribute album for Keith Whitley, who had passed less than a year after releasing the song. The following year, Alison Krauss rerecorded the song as her first solo single, following her time with Union Station. It was Krauss' first Billboard Top 10. Finally, in 1999, Boyzone was calling it quits, and Ronan Keating was looking for his first single as a solo artist. He was invited to be a part of the 'Notting Hill' soundtrack, and he jumped at the chance. He recorded "When You Say Nothing At All", and became the second artist to make it their solo debut, and the third to take the song on to the Billboard chart.

The next song in this post is another cover song. "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" was a huge hit in 1971 for the Bee Gees, who were worldwide Pop stars by this time. The song was credited to Barry and Robin Gibb, although in 2009, Maurice was added to the credits. In 1972, the great Al Green covered the song for his 'Let's Stay Together' album. The Reverend Al's version made it to the soundtrack to 1997's 'Good Will Hunting', 1999's 'The Virgin Suicides' as well as 'Notting Hill', and 2010's 'The Book of Eli'. In 2008, Green recorded it as a duet with Joss Stone for the soundtrack of 'Sex In The City'. But here is Al's solo version as it appeared in 'Notting Hill'.

To be honest, I wasn't really familiar with out next group, Lighthouse Family. The British duo was made up by singer Tunde Baiyewu and keyboardist Paul Tucker. From their debut album in the UK, Lighthouse Family were huge hits, both in England and across Europe. So they were asked to be a part of the of 'Notting Hill', and they recorded a cover of Bill Wither's iconic song, "Ain't No Sunshine".

Hope you enjoyed it, and will be back tonight for the second part!

Talking Heads • Take Me To The River

Left to right: Chris Frantz, David Byrne, Jerry Harrison, and Tina Weymouth

It is Sunday morning, and I thought I would bring a little Gospel to the blog, but with a bit of a twist. In 1974, "Take Me To The River" was written by singer Al Green and guitarist Mabon "Teenie" Hodges. It was recorded by Green, but not released as a single. Syl Johnson released the song in 1975, and it made it to #48 on the Billboard Hot 100. I was much more familiar with the single released in 1979, by the Talking Heads, off their second album 'More Songs About Buildings and Food'. The band was highly popular on the college circuit in the 1970s, and soon was taking over the airwaves with their very special sound. The band was made up by David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison. Their version of the song, recorded with co-Producer Brian Eno, went to #26 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was also included in 'Stop Making Sense', the live concert film released in 1984. In this live version, the band managed to combine their highly stylized Punk Rock with the R&B vibe of the song, to create an unusual adjunct of Gospel music. Please enjoy this long version of "Take Me To the River".

While I did enjoy the studio cut, influenced by the great Brian Eno, I cannot help but be insane for the live version featured above. You can purchase the audio recording of 'Stop Making Sense' from iTunes and Amazon. And I hope your weekend continues to be amazing.

A Look at 1972

Before the world had heard of Ryan Lochte, and even before we knew of Michael Phelps, there was another boy in a Speedo that had everyone's attention. Forty years ago, a swimmer caught the hearts and imaginations of most Americans. Mark Spitz, with his perfect body, dark good looks, and a mustache about to become all the rage in adult films, took over all the headlines as he shattered records with his seven Olympic Gold medals with seven world records set. Followed by the traditional Wheaties box cover, Spitz was soon wearing those medals on every talk and variety show that was on television. The year was 1972, and I thought I would capture the time with some song that were quite popular, and each one makes me smile.



I will start with a song that finished the year at #11 on the Year-end Billboard chart. Released at the end of 1971, Al Green delivered his patented sultry performance on "Let's Stay Together", a song he had written with Willie Mitchell and Al Jackson, Jr. It went to the top of the Pop and R&B charts, delivering a huge hit for the singer.



You can find "Let's Stay Together" on Al Green's Greatest Hits album, available on iTunes and on Amazon.



In a period when much of the soul music was coming from either Philadelphia or Memphis, The Chi-Lites brought the sound of Chicago to their music, and scored plenty of great songs. The group had formed in the late 1950s, but really had their strongest success in the early 1970s. One hit was the #13 song on the Year-end Billboard chart. It was the only song by the Chi-Lites to top the Billboard Hot 100, and it topped the R&B chart as well. Written by lead singer Eugene Record, it is a classic ballad. "Oh Girl" told a story of love going bad, and how it could hurt to the core.



You can find "Oh, Girl" on Chi-Lites' Golden Classics album, available on iTunes and on Amazon.



While I might have been young at the time, I so clearly remember this song being one of my favorites. I just thought the sound was great, so I am not surprised "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass went to #12 on the Year-end Billboard chart. Written by frontman Elliot Lurie, the song was a great shining example of what was known was the Jersey Shore sound, and had nothing to do with J-Wow, The Situation, or Snooki. It took the Philly soul and gave it an edge, and some rock. The song went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and will forever be a part of 1972.



You can find "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)" on Looking Glass EP, available on iTunes and on Amazon.



One of the British bands to make a big impact in US music was The Hollies. The original lineup included Graham Nash and Allan Clarke, who provided writing talents as well as vocals. In fact, a young piano player by the name Reg White played keyboards on some recordings in 1969 & 70. You might know him better by his stage name, Elton John. However, by the time 1972 rolled around, Nash and Clarke had both left the band to pursue other opportunities. And while he might have left before "Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)" hit the charts, Clarke (along with Roger Cook, and Roger Greenaway) had written it and supplied the vocals. The song went on to place #24 on the Year-end Billboard chart. It went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #1 on the US Cashbox Top Singles.



You can find "Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)" on The Air That I Breathe - The Very Best of The Hollies album, available on iTunes and on Amazon.

Notting Hill Soundtrack Pt 1

Clockwise: Notting Hill Soundtrack cover; Lighthouse Family; 98 Degrees; and Al Green; Ronan Keating.


I will admit that I think 'Notting Hill' is my favorite Julia Roberts movie, and in the top 5 of Hugh Grant's film, although 'Maurice' remains my favorite. I also thought the movie had a wonderful soundtrack, and I've been wanting to do a post forever. Once I stated putting this together, I figured out I needed to make two posts, so this is the first installment, and the second will be coming next week. But I will start with the song from the boyband which gave us Nick Lachey and his brother Drew (long before he won on 'Dancing With The Stars'), 98 Degrees. The Lachey boys were joined by Justin Jeffre and Jeff Timmons, two more cuties. The boys were together in the 1990s, making a few hits. "I Do (Cherish You)" was a hit in 1998, making it to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1999, it was in 'Notting Hill', adding sweetness to the soundtrack.



The next song had a rich and interesting history. It was written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, and first recorded by Country star Keith Whitley, released late in 1988. The song took a few weeks, but finally sat atop the Billboard Country chart for two weeks. In 1994, bluegrass band Union Station recorded the song for a tribute album for Keith Whitley, who had passed less than a year after releasing the song. The following year, Alison Krauss rerecorded the song as her first solo single, following her time with Union Station. It was Krauss' first Billboard Top 10. Finally, in 1999, Boyzone was calling it quits, and Ronan Keating was looking for his first single as a solo artist. He was invited to be a part of the 'Notting Hill' soundtrack, and he jumped at the chance. He recorded "When You Say Nothing At All", and became the second artist to make it their solo debut, and the third to take the song on to the Billboard chart.



The next song in this post is another cover song. "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" was a huge hit in 1971 for the Bee Gees, who were worldwide Pop stars by this time. The song was credited to Barry and Robin Gibb, although in 2009, Maurice was added to the credits. In 1972, the great Al Green covered the song for his 'Let's Stay Together' album. The Reverend Al's version made it to the soundtrack to 1997's 'Good Will Hunting', 1999's 'The Virgin Suicides' as well as 'Notting Hill' and 2010's 'The Book of Eli'. In 2008, Green recorded it as a duet with Joss Stone for the soundtrack of 'Sex In The City'. But here is Al's solo version as it is heard in 'Notting Hill'.



To be honest, I wasn't really familiar with out next group, Lighthouse Family. The British duo was made up by singer Tunde Baiyewu and keyboardist Paul Tucker. From their debut album in the UK, Lighthouse Family were huge hits, both in England and across Europe. So they were asked to be a part of the of 'Notting Hill', so they recorded a cover of Bill Wither's iconic song, "Ain't No Sunshine".



Hope you enjoyed it, and will be back next week for the second part!

Sunday Morning with Reverend Al Green

Just thought it was time to bring in the Reverend. So here he is, the Right Reverend Al Green, born Albert Greene in Arkansas over 65 years ago. The Reverend Al came into the public eye singing R&B in 1972, when he was singing classic songs he had written, like Let's Stay Together. Of course, that went on to be a huge hit for Tina Turner, too. After an unfortunate happening in his life in 1980, Al Green decided to make some changes in his life, including the study to become a real reverend, and to start making Gospel records. And while Take Me To The River was written before the Gospel period, it certainly fits well into the genre. It was written by Green, and later became a big hit for Syl Johnson and again for the Talking Heads.



The Reverend Al Green bcame a true pastor, and soon had his own church, and was often tending to his flock. For eight years, the Reverend recorded and performed only gospel music. Here is an incredible recording of the Reverend singing Amazing Grace and Nearer My God To Thee. Just sit back and enjoy.



Enjoy your Sunday.