Worth Another Listen - 90s Paul Young

As I mentioned in a earlier post (see here), Englishman Paul Young had a career that spanned the decades, with hits in both the 80s and the 90s. He also managed to leave the unfortunate hair choices we all made behind, although there will always be pictures around to remind us.



Unlike many of his colleagues from the 80s, his career continued forward as he adapted to the new sound, and a new audience. Or really just the new age of the old audience, as he moved into a softer, more gentler music. In 1990, Oh Girl went to #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It was off the Other Voices album.



In 1992 Young decided to do another cover, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted. And, once again, the song went to #1 on the US Adult Contemporary chart, stalling at #22 on the Hot 100 chart. It was part of the soundtrack for the movie Fried Green Tomatoes.



In 2006, he made the intriguing Rock Swings album, which included this cover of Soft Cell's Tainted Love, complete with the Big Band sound and feel. It oddly works, or it could just be he sells it so darned well. Check it out here, from a 2009 television appearance in Croatia.

Worth Another Listen - CeCe Peniston

For some, she stamped 1991 with a song that defined the time. For others, she was one of the most successful Dance/Club acts of the decade, topping the club charts five times out of six, with the other landing at #2. For some, she almost defines one-hit-wonder as her career became defined by that one monster song. No matter what group you fall under, you've got to smile when you hear CeCe Peniston's name, her familiar voice, or the opening notes of Finally, whether it be in a club or while watching Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert.



In 1990 & 1991, CeCe Peniston was working on her career, working with some other performers when her strong voice caught the ear of a record executive. The label was a bit wary of taking a chance, so they sent the singer into the studio to record a single. The lyrics were purported to have been written a couple of years earlier by the singer while she was in high school. The single was released, and Finally was soon playing on every Pop station across the country, and Peniston had her first hit on the Billboard charts, getting to #5 on the Hot 100, and #1 on Dance Club Plays chart.



This was not Peniston's only trip to the Billboard Pop Top 40. On the strength of that single, A&M records released the album Finally, which ended up selling over 3 Million units worldwide, and well over 500,000 in the US. The third single off the album, Keep On Walkin', also found it's way up the charts, scoring #15 on the Hot 100, and #1 on the Dance Club Plays chart.



The second single off the album was another winning cut, We've Got A Love Thang. As with the other 2 songs, this topped the Dance Club Plays chart, and made it to #20 on the Hot 100. It was certainly looking like the talented 22-year-old was going to be unstoppable, based on the performance of her first three singles.



Unfortunately, Peniston had only one more song hit the Top 40, the 1993 song I'm In The Mood. The song was off the sophomore offering, Thought Ya Knew. The song was the fourth from Peniston to hit #1 on the Dance Club Plays chart, as well as securing #32 on the Hot 100.



So, for all really paying attention, Ms. Peniston is far from a one-hit-wonder, with four songs in the Billboard Top 40, and five #1 songs on the Dance Club chart. Once the second album struggled with sales, there was a long hiatus while Peniston worked on new material. In fact, after 15 years of releasing the intermittent singles over the past 15 years, Peniston is rumored to be on the verge of releasing a new album shortly. This is only made stronger for fans when they go to check out her official website here, only to discover it is being renovated. But you can catch the latest news on her FaceBook page here.

Worth Another Listen - Jon Secada

Born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in Florida, the Cuban-American singer/songwriter burst onto the music charts in 1992 with the first single from his debut album, and spent two years at the top of the charts. But before going solo, he worked as a backup singer for Gloria Estefan, and wrote a couple of songs for her, including the hit Coming Out Of The Dark, written with Gloria and her husband, Emilio. Then in 1992, Secada released Just Another Day from the self-titled album, and it tore up the charts to #5 on the Pop Chart. The singer used his striking looks and easy sensuality to impress many.



The second single, Do You Believe In Us, followed a similar trajectory, although it stalled at #13. But it did make it to #3 on the Adult Contemporary chart. His music often seemed tailor-made for the Adult Contemporary market, the soaring ballads utilizing his rich voice.



In 1994, he released his second album, Heart, Soul and Voice. The first single, If You Go, shot up the pop chart to #10, proving Secada still had to power to show off.



Unfortunately, it was his last entry in the Top 20 on the Pop charts. But Secada was far from finished with his career, as he was already writing songs successfully for other artists, such as Estefan, Ricky Martin, Mandy Moore, Jennifer Lopez and many others. He is also still recording, having released his latest album in 2009. For more on Jon Secada, check out his official website here.

Worth Another Listen - Paula Cole

When the WB ruled the television of the teenagers, the soundtrack from those shows was ruling the radio. One of those shows was Dawson's Creek, with a future Mrs Tom Cruise in the cast as well as several young actors who continue to be a presence in television and movies today, told the tale of high school kids from Cape Cod and their journey to maturity. The theme song was from a bright new talent on the singer/songwriter front, Paula Cole. She was best known for her moody acoustic folk, with an atmospheric quality. The show debuted in 1998, A year after Cole had her first hit on the radio, Where Have All The Cowboys Gone.



From 1998 to 2003, Cole scored the credits for Dawson's Creek, her haunting vocals underscoring the teen longing that was the basis for the show. The song was I Don't Want To Wait.



Cole has released four studio albums, the small label Harbinger in 1994, 1996's This Fire, featuring the above hits, and Amen in 1999. In 1998, she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Cole took time away from the industry, to have and raise her daughter. She moved to the Columbia label, and released Courage in 2007, and there is rumored to new album this year. For more on Paula Cole, check out her official website here.

Easter - Marilion

In 1979, a group of British boys came together to form the rock band Marillion. They have gone on to produce 17 studio albums, of which I have several. I hope to have more on Marillion at a later date, but for now and in keeping with the holiday season, here is the song Easter, originally released in 1990 from the album Seasons End.

Worth Another Listen - EMF

The UK-based band first got together in 1989, six guys looking to make their own style of music. James Atkin, Ian Dench, Derry Brownson, Mark Decloedt, Zac Foley, and DJ MILF EMF pulled together to make a sound that was very new, very fresh, and, for my money, ahead of its time. Take, for example, their first single, Unbelievable. The song, off the Schubert Dip album, jump starts with the sound of rock guitars, and by the chorus is in full-throated drum support, all the while maintaining a party atmosphere in the song. All the while, the song is sung with a somewhat reedy British boy complete with accent and slight detachment. The sound was like no other on my radio at the time, and I loved it.



Perfect Day was released in 1995, and the song opens with a guitar riff more psychedelic in nature, lending a retro feel, without sounding old fashioned. It was off the Cha Cha Cha album, and the song didn't chart in the US, but it certainly made an impression on me.



The second single off the debut album was I Believe. It combined the driving synthesizer with the harder edged guitar with a background vocal suited for a late 60s/early 70s pop song. Atkins vocals were at their most involved and impassioned on this track, a nice switch from the earlier ones. While it didn't make the US Pop chart, it did in fact make it to the Top Ten on the Modern Rock chart.



Lies was the final release from the debut. Again the guitars were more Jimi Hendrix than most for the day, with a hard charging beat belying the mariachi feel to the flugelhorn. It felt as though Jimi was playing for the Thompson Twins, or some other edgy New Wave band, perhaps completing the journey Terry Hall was taking when he created The Colourfield. Whatever it was, I enjoyed the ride. Lies made it into the Top 20 on the Billboard chart, topping out at #18.



For more information on EMF, check out their official website here.

Worth Another Listen - Londonbeat

They started with success in 1990 in The Netherlands, but the American R&B/Dance band had their roots in the US, with Americans Jimmy Helms and George Chandler; with Jimmy Chambers, from Trinidad, and multi-instrumentalist William 'Willy M' Henshaw. They blended R&B, Dance and New Wave to make a delectable sound. They seemingly conquered the world in 1990, when I've Been Thinking About You soared up the charts to #1 in the US, Australia, Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. They made it to #2 in Israel, Norway and the UK. The driving beat and infectious



They followed it up with A Better Love in 1991, with a bit less success. It went into the Top 20, maxing out at #18 on the US Pop chart. It was not quite as catchy as the first, but a lovely melody nonetheless.



You Bring On The Sun was a return to form, with the driving beat combined with a bit of jangly guitar to score on the charts across Europe in 1992, but not in the US. I really kinda like this one a lot.



I love the video for Come Back, the 1995 release that didn't do particularly well on any of the charts. Their trajectory had stalled, and soon the band called it a day.



They regrouped in 2003 with a couple of changes in the lineup, but never did regain their ground.

Worth Another Listen - Dwight Yoakam

My taste in music can get a bit eclectic, and some country certainly figures in to the mix of my collection. One strong part is Dwight Yoakam, in my mind just an amazing musician. In 1993, he released my favorite album of his, This Time. The entire sound of the album is amazing, with a blend of classic country built on a rock foundation. The entire thing is sexy but sweet, an amazing balancing act. In keeping with the award season, I will start with the video for Ain't That Lonely Yet, which won the Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. The song reached #2 on the US Country chart.



A Thousand Miles From Nowhere was the second single, and I can't believe it didn't hit the top of the chart, also settling for #2. Smart and smooth, the country/rock mixture takes the content of lost love and elevates it to a romantic adventure.



Fast As You was the third single to claim the second spot on the US Country chart. Dwight kicked up the rock quotient, bringing a rockabilly feel, even channeling a bit of Elvis in the song.



But one of my favorite songs off This Time is Pocket of a Clown, which has an old-time country thing going on, like a Honky Tonk tune Hank Williams would deliver. It was released in 1994, and only made it to #22 on the chart.

Get More: Pocket Of A Clown, Dwight Yoakam, Dwight Yoakam Videos

This Time was certified triple platinum in the US, and double platinum in Canada. It is still in the rotation in my iTunes. Dwight had many a great song before and after, but never was an album as perfect as this one. For more on Dwight Yoakam, check out his official website here.

Friday Night Party - Taylor Dayne

She broke out on the music scene in 1987, with big hair and an even bigger voice. Taylor Dayne soared through her first single, "Tell It To My Heart", with the look of Madonna and a sound that was very much her own. The girl from Long Island, NY, opened that mouth, and power and beauty spilled out. And she danced up a storm on the videos, usually with very pretty, half-clad boys.

She followed up with "Prove Your Love", another rousing Dance song. Like the last, the song made it to #7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, fairly impressive for a new artist. The third single, "I'll Always Love You", was a power ballad, went to #3 on the chart, and played on the radio non-stop. Thankfully, it is an amazing performance.

In 1990, Taylor had her first #1 on the Pop charts, "Love Will Lead You Back". The girl flat-out sings her heart out, even if the hair is more tamed and she suddenly looked all California, not Long Island.

Her most recent hit song was 2008's "Beautiful", worth watching for the video alone. Oh, those boys! But the song is another great one, and it made it to #1 on the US Dance chart. Here is the dance remix.

She had five studio albums in 20 years, and scored 17 individual Top Ten's on Billboard Chart. You can find most of the songs featured on her 'Greatest Hits' album, available on iTunes and Amazon. You can find out more about Taylor Dayne on her official website.

Worth Another Listen - Gerardo

OK, perhaps I overstated the case. Not so much worth another listen as worth another look at the video. Thank God he was pretty, because 1991s Rico Suave was a both hit song and video - the one and only - for Gerardo. Now, Gerardo Mejia is an A&R guy for Interscope Records, and can be blamed for bringing Enrique Iglesias to the attention of the studio. This offers proof positive just because it was recorded in the 90s, that doesn't make it good.



To find out more about Gerardo, you can see his Wikipedia page here.

Worth Another Listen - The Origin

I loved these boys. The self-titled first album was released in 1990, and I bought it immediately. The first song I heard was Growing Old, a jingly, uptempo song. The Origin was at their best when plying with rhythms, giving a very American twist on the World Music scene. They put out a second and final CD in 1992, Bend. The disbanded the group shortly after the release. I have both in my collection and on my iPod.



The San Diego based band were made up by Michael Andrews, Topper Rimel Daniel Silverman and Rony Abada. Andrews later went on to compose for several movie soundtracks, including for Donnie Darko. It was he who arranged and played the piano on the haunting version of the Tears For Fears song Mad World by Gary Jules.



I couldn't find any pictures on the 'net of the boys, so the best I could do was scan in the covers of the two CDs. Nor could I find a website to offer a link, but it was not to be. Here is a link to Michael Andrews official website, although there is nary a mention of the band. The following video is Growing Old, the song that started it all for me.

Worth Another Listen - Deep Blue Something

Deep Blue Something came to the music scene via Texas, and had the absolute charm to propel Breakfast At Tiffany's to the Top Five in the US, and a number 1 in the UK. I loved the song, and thought the video are well done. Although the song was inspired by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, the band decided another Hepburn role would be perfect for the title. Gotta love those Str8 boys, never too worried about the specifics.

New Purchase - Casey Stratton

Casey Stratton has just made available two separate collections that are perfect for fans like me - somewhat new. There are two collections, one from the 90s, and the other from the 2000s. They are available online, and Casey has personally overseen the digital remastering of the cuts.



I was familiar with a couple of the songs form his CD Standing On The Edge, while others are new and fresh. Casey has an ethereal, haunted quality to his singing that is something you will either love or hate. He is oft compared to Tori Amos, someone he is a fan of himself. The music is rather lush. Both the track above, Hollow, and below, Take Back Your Violets, are featured in the 90s collection.



You can purchase this and other music by Casey Stratton thru his website at the online music store by clicking here. You can visit his website here, his blog here, and his Twitter account here.



Hopefully, later this afternoon we will get word on the release of a new single, Anthem, from Christopher Dallman. Fingers crossed!