Throwing back to the week of November 16, 1963, we find Nino Temple and April Stevens atop the Billboard Hot 100 with their recording of ‘Deep Purple.’
The original version of this song was composed by pianist Peter DeRose in the 1920s. It was recorded as an instrumental by many artists in subsequent decades (here’s a version with DeRose himself on piano). In 1938, lyricist Mitchell Parish added words to the composition, and it was reimagined as a doo-wop track.
Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1985…
#6 – The Dream of the Blue Turtles – Sting
Now I’m getting to the 1985 albums I know by heart, starting with Sting’s debut solo record.
Released two years after the blockbuster success of The Police’s Synchronicity, and the band’s subsequent breakup, this album proved that their former frontman could be a major star on his own.
Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1985…
#7 – No Jacket Required – Phil Collins
The albums I’ve featured this week aren’t records I know by heart. I don’t have a deep enough stable of 1985 releases among my personal favorites.
But each of them has an overall sound and perspective that speaks to me, and three or four songs I really love. Today’s selection is a another great example.
Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1985…
#8 – Hounds of Love – Kate Bush
English singer-songwriter Kate Bush’s fifth studio release, Hounds of Love, was her biggest success and is widely considered her best album. It sits squarely in her avant-garde, art pop comfort zone while remaining accessible to mainstream audiences.
Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1985…
#9 – Scarecrow – John Cougar Mellencamp
Here’s another album I don’t know by heart, but know well enough to give it a spot on this list.
John Mellencamp (still using the Cougar for this release) is one of those artists I enjoy and admire but not enough to consider myself a dedicated fan.
Meet Me In Montauk 