Another Blast From The Past

As most of you can see from last week's musical post, there were complaints. But none of these written on the blog came close to reaching the level of protest I received one former career Marine officer (we'll call him " he who shall remain nameless").

Imagine this. It's a nice crisp autumn Saturday morning, when my cell phone rings just blocks from home. I answer it and it's "he who shall remain nameless".

"What kind of puke puts up a video of a chick that has tattoos all over her body, and expects to maintain some kind of dignity and respect along the way?", blurts the voice.

I try to answer, but naturally, I get cut off.

"And further more", he yells, "were you born a low-life scumbag, or did you have to work on it?"

I eventually calmed him down. But as you might guess, I seriously want to avoid that kind of response again. So, by popular demand, we turn it down a notch or two.

In this week's edition, we take a look at some timeless classics that were successfully remade by later artists, classics that we all can agree are songs which are able to sustain reasonable popularity throughout the ages.

First up, let's look at a trio of popular artists with three different styles, adding their own flavor to the mix, in one of the greatest tunes ever recorded:



If that one doesn't' bring back some serious memories in the life of "he who shall remain nameless", maybe this next one will. This next song and dance act was one that certainly turned one of Irving Berlin's classics into a pretty big hit in 1982. I know he's not Fred and I know he's lip syncing to beat the band. But he can bust a move a little here and there.

Here is Taco Ockerse's version:



Roy Orbison had a certain mystique about himself... and his music. It's not easy to explain, just know that in almost every classic he ever had a hand in making, there was a clear distinct style unmatched. He hit stardom in the 60s, made a huge comeback in the 80s, and still influences many modern artists like this next one.

Imagine the response of many, when this singer came onto the scene. This same man truly has captured that same mystique, that same clear distinctive style, and kept it alive in his music.... and those who he covers.

This, too, is great:



Enjoy.