bars design element UMPG globe logo
navigation: home navigation: search navigation: licensing navigation: VIP navigation: easy clear navigation: staff picks navigation: new releases navigation: samplers navigation: song lists
page header: staff picks
Staff Picks
Wanna know what our Film/TV staff are listening to this week? Our Film/TV staff regularly contribute to this Staff Picks section to share songs by the newest talent, songs generating the biggest buzz, and catalogue gems you will want to re-discover. You may not know these songs yet, but you can’t wait to hear them…This is the instant listening gratification zone, based on the expert recommendations of our Film/TV team. No worries, you are in good hands.

Instructions:
iTunes:
Simply click the iTunes button to subscribe. If this action fails, please make sure to launch iTunes manually. Once the application is running, go to the Advanced menu and select the "Subscribe To Podcast" Option. There you must enter this URL: http://www.synchexpress.com/songoftheday/podcast.aspx

Other podcast software:
Copy the podcast URL (http://www.synchexpress.com/songoftheday/podcast.aspx) and enter it into your favorite podcast manager's feed subscription settings.
button: podcast button: itunes podcast
Am I Asking Too Much
One of the all time great vocalists, Dinah Washington scored an R&B number one in 1948 with this romantic ballad. Starting out as a singer with Lionel Hampton's band by the time of this hit Washington was an established solo star. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honored this track as one of 500 key songs that helped shape rock music.

Other Dinah Washington tracks that UMPG has an interest in include her 1952 charting version of "Trouble in Mind", the upbeat blues of "A Slick Chick (on the Mellow Side)", the delightfully languid "He's My Guy" and the huge 1960 crossover hit "Baby, You've Got What it Takes" recorded as a duet with Brook Benton.
Fresh Picked By: Neil Morris
Lonely Town
(Bernstein/Comden/Green)
Blossom Dearie
(Verve Records, 1959)

As a tribute to Blossom Dearie, who passed away in early 2009, here's her lovely rendition of the Leonard Bernstein tune "Lonely Town".

Originally the song was from Bernstein's musical "On the Town". Frank Sinatra recorded a sublime version in 1957. Blossom Dearie cut her latin tinged version in 1959.

Other UMPG songs that Blossom Dearie recorded include "Gentleman Friend", "I Won't Dance", "Lucky to Be Me" and "Some Other Time".
Fresh Picked By: Neil Morris
Something Good (Is Going to Happen to You)
Isaac Hayes was much more than the soul superstar of 1970's fame.

Initially a session musician for Stax, Hayes formed a writing partnership with David Porter. They wrote a string of hits including "Soul Man", "Hold On I'm Comin'", "I Thank You" and "When Something is Wrong With My Baby" for Sam & Dave, "B-A-B-Y" for Carla Thomas, "I've Got to Love Somebody's Baby" for Johnnie Taylor and "Your Good Thing (is About to End)" for Lou Rawls.
Fresh Picked By: Neil Morris
Never My Love
Originally a hit for the Association (Pop 2, 1967) this contemporary version is by Harper Simon. The name sound a touch familiar? Harper is the son of Paul Simon.

There are a number of recordings of this copyright mainly dating from the 60's and 70's. Other big hits were from the Fifth Dimension (Pop 12, 1971) and Blue Swede (Pop 7, 1974) There are also several instrumentals versions notably from the Ventures and Booker T & the MG's.
Fresh Picked By: Neil Morris
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
The band featured a pre-Cream Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. This concise instrumental cut has an R&B influenced edge with gritty organ and sax.
Fresh Picked By: Neil Morris
Lead Me On
Mick Hucknall, the former singer of Simply Red, released his first solo album this year. Entitled "Tribute to Bobby", the record comprises twelve covers of Bobby Bland tracks. We have an interest in seven of the cuts, also check out "I Pity the Fool" and "Ain't That Loving You Baby".
Fresh Picked By: Neil Morris
navigation: contact navigation: about navigation: help navigation: sitemap navigation: privacy navigation: privacy navigation: privacy
©2010 Universal Music Publishing Group