This Girl's in Love- Rumer Takes on Burt Bacharach

Looking for the perfect CD for that relaxing drive or friendly dinner party? Something classy, elegant, but not too middle of the road that would fit the bill? Check out Rumer's excellent piano and vocal focused This Girl's in Love (a Bacharach & David Songbook). Mixing less known songs like Balance of Nature with wonderful versions of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's The Look of Love, A House is Not a Home, and What the World Needs Now, you'll stay fully attentive and taken by what she has accomplished. No one else these days could do justice to Marilyn McCoo's / 5th Dimension's iconic One Less Bell to Answer.

This Girl's in Love may be the album fans have been asking for ever since she burst on the U.K. music scene sounding almost like a newly reborn Karen Carpenter. (Check on Slow on her Seasons of My Soul album.) Don't mistake Rumer for another Karen soundalike, though. She is her own woman. On this recently discovered collection, she's singing higher on most of these songs with only fleeting moments of the deep contralto that made Carpenters famous, although she does a very nice cover of (They Long to Be) Close to You. No matter. Rumer's talent shines brightly on this absolutely terrific album, one worth the price of the import. 

No Wedding Bell Blues Here

They won't be playing the 5th Dimension's Wedding Bell Blues here! It'd be impossible to tell you how good God is, how faithful He is, and how blessed I am by this marriage! An informal short from a few days ago. I'm sure those professional ones will yield gorgeous shots. How could they not?

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Music That Rocks- And Doesn't

Like live music? Me, too! And I've seen some great and some horrible concerts in my time. Here's a quick recap:

Queen- 1977 Tour, Los Angeles. The band was tight, and Freddie Mercury sounded as great live as in the studio. Smoking version of the classic Jail House Rock as finale. One of my favorite concerts ever.

Four Tops/ Freda Payne- 1977 or so, Las Vegas. Great Motown night!

Peter Frampton- Also about 1977. One hour acoustic, one hour electric. Premiered Signed, Sealed, Delivered. My favorite Frampton cut to this day. Just before the release of the "I'm In You" album.

Carpenters- 1976, 1977, and 1978, Las Vegas. As my friends in UK would say "Brilliant". Karen sounded great. Met she and Richard back stage in 1976. Very nice people and wonderful musicians. Karen was just so warm. Richard surrounded by a group of hot blondes. The bad press they got for their music was unjustified.

Kenny Rogers/Crystal Gayle- About 1986, Orange County, CA. Both in top form.

Marilyn McCoo- About 1990, Denver. With an orchestra. Lovely. Her generation's Whitney Houston before Whitney's downslide.

Amy Grant / Gary Chapman- 1995, Denver. With the kids. Gary was a great musician. Amy was not bad on the guitar, and she was very friendly and relaxed with the audience. Vocally very strong, stronger than I expected. House of Love was great. Nice job, Amy.

Olivia Newton-John- 1982, Los Angeles and 1997 Denver. Way better live than you'd expect. Special thanks to my wife for both concert's tickets. She's not threatened one iota! 

Sting- 2011, Denver. At Red Rocks with orchestra. Father's Day gift from the kids. JUST INCREDIBLE.

BAD Concerts- Led Zeppelin- Robert Plant and crew too stoned to play or sing well. Waste of money.
Genesis- Bad sound. Pre- Phil Collins on vocals.

Love's Lines, Angles, and Rhymes of the 5th Dimension and Marilyn McCoo

Just a bit of a musical trivia question today: Which pop music artist has the voice of an angel and the elegance and grace of the greatest 1940's songstresses? Her awards as a group member, solo artist, and as a duet partner resulted in Top Ten hits on a variety of charts and a handful of Grammys. The answer is Marilyn McCoo.

A founding member of the originally named The Versatiles, this part of the 5th Dimension possesses a voice clearer and still more beautiful than the early- in- her- career Whitney Houston. From Up, Up and Away to Wedding Bell Blues, Last Night I Didn't Get to Sleep at All, to her solo album The Me Nobody Knows, her voice, her heart and her soul flows, lifting, encouraging, and sometimes challenging the listener. Her Christmas album, "White Christmas" is a masterful blend of contemporary "light" jazz, pop and soul. A treat.

Many years back, my family and I were able to see Marilyn perform live in downtown Denver. It was clear that what we heard on record was not the result of studio trickery to enhance her voice. She sparkled! Ms. McCoo charmed the audience with warm stories and humility, and then she won us over by her versatility.

Although she is primarily known for her 70s hits, Marilyn's career is still in full swing. She and husband Billy Davis Jr. have recorded a new album, The Many Faces of Love. You can check out their website here. You'll be glad you did.