Mellow Moods Forgotten Gems

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Picture: Robert Landau

The Smooth Operators pay tribute to the heyday of the FM radio sound with Mellow Moods. Enjoy this new chapter: Forgotten Gems! 

One of the first successful female singer/songwriters in England, Lynsey de Paul (born Lynsey Rubin) had an illustrious career. When she started as a vocalist, she immediately scored with ‘Sugar me’, which reached the number five spot on the British pop charts. Other successes were ‘My man and me’, ‘Won't somebody dance with me’ and ‘Rock bottom’. The latter was recorded with British vocalist Mike Moran and it became second in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1977. Between 1972 and 1977, Lynsey de Paul wrote 14 British Top 40 hits. In 1981 she released ‘Strange changes’ after being in California with actor James Coburn for three years, but the song and the accompanying album didn't sell well. She then had a successful career as a composer, actress and television celebrity. On October 1, 2014, she suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage and died later that day at the age of 64.

The song ‘Why did you do it’ by Stretch is not about a girl, but about Mick Fleetwood. Around 1975 he asked the guys to tour with him, but eventually he didn’t show up because of marital problems and it all ended in court.

Tracklist:

Valentine Brothers – One Night At A Time (1979)
Quincy Jones Feat. Paulette McWilliams – Mellow Madness (1975)
Earth, Wind & Fire – They Don’t See (1972)
Sabrina Starke – Use Me (2013)
Fleetwood Mac – Tusk [USC Version] (1979)
Lynsey De Paul – Strange Changes (1981)
Peter Sarstedt – Mellowed Out (1982)
Dave Mason – Misty Morning Stranger (1974)
Bettye Swann – I Want Sunday Back Again (1976)
Stretch – Why Did You Do It (1976)
Andrea Balducci – The Letter (2012)
Don Blackman – Heart's Desire (1982)
Tavares – Whodunit (1977)
Rufus Feat. Chaka Khan – Circles (1975)
Jackson Sisters ‎– I Believe In Miracles (1973)
The Three Degrees – Who Is She (And What Is She To You) (1975)
Four80East – Hold A Candle (2015)
Todd Rundgren - I Saw The Light (1972)
Lee Ritenour feat. Eric Tagg - Mr. Briefcase (1981)
Gladys Knight & The Pips - Taste Of Bitter Love (1980)
Starbuck - Everybody Be Dancin’ (1977)
Brand New Heavies - Back To Love (1994)
Gino Vannelli - I Just Wanna Stop (1978)
Climax Blues Band - Couldn’t Get It Right (1976)
Phil Collins - I Missed Again (1981)
Mama’s Gun - Let’s Find A Way (2009)
Looking Glass - Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl) (1972)
Candi Staton - Nights On Broadway (1977)
Future World Orchestra - Desire (1981)
Kenny Loggins - Heart To Heart (1982)
Stevie Wonder - That Girl (1981)
Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Looking’ Out For No. 1 (1976)


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