I’ve committed myself to do approximately 101 Things (maybe a few more actually) over the course of 1,001 days (I round it up to three years even). You can check all of my posts here or head on over to the Day Zero Project for more information about 101 Things in 1001 Days
For this update, I’ll be focusing on one particular 101 things goal, which is to listen to every Grammy Award Winning Best Album. I’ve not started in any particular order for this, but have simply been ticking off a few a day as this goal is far easier than my goal of watching every Best Picture Winner. So…let’s kick things off!
The Bodyguard – Original Soundtrack
I’m not sure what can be said about this particular album. I loved it. It’s essentially just a Whitney Houston with whom you absolutely cannot go wrong. Her voice is so ridiculously spectacular that if you don’t like it, I have no choice but to question your worth and humanity. That said, we’ll go over a little bit in detail.
Will Always Love You is, perhaps, the best song ever to be recorded. Don’t get me wrong, Dolly was fantastic with her original version, but Whitney’s voice just lends something otherworldly. I can listen to this on repeat forever and forever. It’s just that good.
I’m Every Woman is another instant classic and a mainstay of 90’s pop. If you haven’t heard it…get to it.
Jesus Loves Me was the only song on this album I didn’t particularly care for. I don’t mind gospel, but this one just didn’t do it for me.
Even If My Heart Would Break was a song I hadn’t expected. Aaron Neville’s voice is immediately recognizable and one I had not heard in probably 25 years. It is a good song, but mostly a moment to reminisce about being a child and hearing my father listen to Neville. However, this song ALSO has Kenny G and I mean…can’t go wrong there!
Peter Gunn Original Soundtrack
I’d grown up knowing the Peter Gunn theme song thanks to my father, who’d occasionally hammer it out on the piano (and so would I as I got older) even though I’d never seen the show (and still haven’t). And also because my elementary and middle school band teacher would play this for us as well as have the high school pep band play it during football or basketball games. It was a staple not just for our school, but many of the local schools as well as it’s easy to play and easily recognizable, at least to some older members of the audience.
Track titles are a little less important on this one, but I was hesitant because I wasn’t sure what a 1950’s and 60’s show would really provide in terms of musical quality. However, after the first few songs on the second track, I was pretty surprised with what I heard. Henry Mancini provides some amazingly smooth jazz, the kind I actually enjoy (yes I recognize the talent that goes into most jazz songs, but most jazz for me is terrible). Ana and I used this as wonderful morning background music as we drank coffee, graded, and worked on our blog. It was enjoyable, easy listening.
Unforgettable…with Love
Natalie Cole’s thirteenth album is a cover of songs sung by her late father, the inimitable Nat King Cole. This was not my first time listening to this album either as it was one my father used to listen to when I was growing up. It was, however, the first time, I’d listened to it as an adult.
Like her father, Natalie has an amazing voice that is perfectly suited to the smooth jazz songs she and her father sang. I can’t say any particular song stuck out to me aside from the title track, in which she sings in a duet with her late father. Overall, this was an extremely enjoyable album that I’ll definitely be revisiting. It’s also turned me on to checking out more of Natalie’s albums.
Come Away With Me
Like Natalie Cole before this one, Norah Jones’ album Come Away with Me is a modern classic. Also like Natalie’s album, this is one I’d heard before, though of my own volition. Norah Jones’ voice is smooth and just raspy enough to lend an amazing sound to her music. The title track is perhaps my favorite on there, but Don’t Know Why certainly gives it a run for its money. This album is one Ana and I have listened to before and like to listen to as we read in bed. It’s easy, melodious, and beautiful. Highly recommend.
No Jacket Required
I am, very admittedly, not a Phil Collins fan. He has a few decent songs and You’ll Be In My Heart is pretty good, but overall, I don’t care for his music (the memes surrounding some of his songs though…*chef’s kiss*).
That said, I came into this album with an open mind. The first track is the famous Sussudio, a song I’ve heard before and, guess what, don’t like. Listening to it this time, I continued to not enjoy it. Phil’s 80’s synthesizers just don’t do it for me. There were, however, one or two songs on the album I didn’t mind. Mostly these were the ballads on the album, such as We Said Hello Goodbye and Long Long Way To Go. There’s also the well-known One More Night, which is a ballad, but not a song I’ve ever really wanted to listen to.
This is a great album if you’re a Phil Collins fan. I went in not a fan of Phil Collins, listened with an open mind, and finished this album continuing to not be a fan of Phil Collins. He’s a talented musician, but 80’s Phil doesn’t work for me.
Wrap-Up
Despite the Phil Collins album (which again is nothing against Phil, his music just isn’t’ for me), this was a great start to the Grammy’s Best Album winners. I’m looking forward getting started on the next few as this 101 things goal is far easier than trying to sit through the Oscar’s Best Picture winners….