WOMEN GOT SOMETHING TO SAY TOO

Every decades bring with it divas that created waves. The eighties gave us no shortage of divas. Here are a few of the divas from the late seventies and eighties that I am familiar with.

BONNIE TYLER : THE BEST : I have a record of Bonnie Tyler but the songs there and this CD were different. Matter of fact I think I like the songs there better. That was the time when she was still a country star and haven't yet moved into main stream pop. Still, the best track of all, in my opinion, 'Lost In France' was here. I wouldn't have bought this CD if not for that song. Highlights here includes her first hit 'It's A Heartache', her later hits like 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart', Holding Up For A Hero' and her duet with Shakin' Stevens, 'A Rockin' Good Way ( To Mess Around And Fall In Love)' . The female Rod Stewart, that's what she sounds like. DOP : 21st August 1993.


LAURA BRANIGAN : THE BEST OF LAURA BRANIGAN : The infectious 'Self Control' have been in my mind all these years since I've first heard it and for good reasons. It sounded fresh and at the same time familiar like a song you've heard since forever. Other songs that sounds good includes 'Gloria', 'Solitaire', 'Dim All The Lights, 'How Am I Supposed To Live Without You' and her version of the much covered 'The Power Of Love'. DOP : A GIFT :5th July 1996 from Miss Leong May Ngor.




TINA TURNER : SIMPLY THE BEST : Tina Turner begins her career as part of the popular Ike & Tina Turner rock duo. In 1976, due to years of abuse best documented in the award winning movie, "What's Love Got To Do With It", she stumbled out of a hotel with just 36 cents in her pocket and left Ike, and embarked on one of the longest and most successful comebacks in rock history.  I like this CD. Most of the songs here are stellar or was it her performance. 'The Best', 'What's Love Got To Do With It', 'Private Dancer', 'Better Be Good To Me' and her duet with Rod Stewart 'It Takes Two'. Not for nothing was she called The Comeback Queen. DOP : 16th November 1994.


ALISON MOYET : SINGLES : Alison Moyet started out as half of the short lived but influential techno pop due known as Yazoo. When Yazoo disbanded, Alison Moyet embarked on a successful solo career. I bought this CD expecting nothing but I was pleasantly surprised with her version of 'Only You' and 'Nobody's Diary'. Her version of Roberta Flake's 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' is interesting too. It's been quite a while since I've played this CD but what I do remember was that it was a nice musical journey with her. Tracks includes 'Winter Kills', 'That Ole Devil Called Love' and 'Weak In The Presence Of Love'. DOP : 12th August 1995.



THE BEST OF SADE : Although Sade is officially a group, lead vocalist Sade is for all its intents and purposes is Sade. Sade formed a writing partnership with Stewart Matthewman, a guitarist form a band called Pride that she used to sing backup on. Her debut album "Diamond Head" produced the hit 'Your Love is King', Other hits includes 'Hang On To Your Love', my favorite, the super smooth 'Smooth Operator' and 'The Sweetest Taboo'. Listening to Sade does brings a certain calm over you with her smooth and jazzy delivery style.
DOP : 3rd December 1994.

BELINDA CARLISLE : THE BEST OF BELINDA. VOLUME 1 : I bought this CD knowing only 'Heaven Is A Place On Earth' and 'Circle In The Sand'. Guess you could say a pretty face on the cover does help to sell a CD. There is not a bad tracks here. 'Leave A Light On', 'My Little Black Book', 'Vision Of You' and 'La Luna' may not win any awards anytime soon but musically there are much more enjoyable than a lot of CD out there. There are a lot of versions of this CD out in the market with different sleeves but more or less contain the same songs. The CD says Volume 1. I bought this CD in 1992 and I am still waiting for Volume 2. Going through the credits, I am baffled to see George Harrison among the people who have contributed to this CD. There was no documentation about him being involved with Belinda Carlisle or could it be someone else with the same name. One of the great mysteries in life, I supposed. DOP : 4th July 1992.

GLORIA ESTEFAN GREATEST HITS :  I've always wanted this CD and it so happened I found it on discount. I am not very familiar with Gloria Estefan saved for a few songs which I found very unique and pleasing. She is equally adapt on the fast as well as the slow numbers. The one that got me interested in her was 'Words Get In The Way'. And I've always loved 'Don't Wanna Lose You Now' since the first time I've heard it. The fast ones that impressed are 'Dr. Beat', 'Conga' and 'Rhythm Is Gonna Get You'. All in all, a worthwhile buy. DOP : 9th May 2012.