Keeping it short, I couldn’t resist choosing Herb Alpert’s ‘Rise’ as a topically tongue-in-cheek kick off to this years Easter playlist. It’s one of the more trimmed versions of the song – the Album track is 7’40” and co-written by Alpert’s nephew – Randy Badazz Alpert and Andy Armer. The song was recorded in 1979, along with the video and is the epitome of 70’s America with Herb Alpert’s wife Lani Hall adding a ‘grandma-skip’ and a few scantily clad dancers on a beach.
1. Herb Alpert ‘Rise’
Cecil Campbell aka Prince Buster, known as one of the major influences of the ska and rocksteady history during the 60’s and 70’s, is better known for his songs ‘Al Capone’ and ‘One Step Beyond’ which were later recorded by Madness in 1979.
2. Prince Buster ’30 Pieces of Silver’
3. The Bee Gees ‘Stayin Alive’
4. The Stranglers ‘Hanging Around’
5. Sparks ‘Number 1 Song All Over Heaven’
The Faith No More version of The Commadores ‘Easy’ isn’t superior to the original from my point of view but at the 1’54” mark – it’s the funniest.
6. Faith No More ‘Easy’ (Like A Sunday Morning)
Jessica Rabbit with ‘Why Don’t You Do Right’ from the film ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ – would be perfect for Easter, but Lil Greens original version of the song wins hands down. Written by Kansas Joe McCoy for Lil Green, they recorded it in 1941. McCoy took a song called ‘The Weed Smoker’s Dream’ by The Harlem Hamfats, worked his magic and voilà!
7. Lil Green ‘ Why Don’t You Do Right’
8. The Manhattans ‘Let’s Just Kiss and Say Goodbye’
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