The Greatest Songwriter/Performer Albums In Recorded Music History: Part 2

By Ed Manolio

Welcome to the second of a two part series. In this book, I explore and define the greatest albums ever recorded by musical artist or artists that have both composed and performed each and every track on their recording. This book explores the artists listed from M thru Z.

The book is formatted similar to my initial edition which encompassed artists listed from A thru L.

Briefly, I have considered all albums released by popular musical artists from 1948 (when long-playing 33 1/3 records became available to the public) through 2015 (the digital age). To make the grade an artist must have written or co-written and performed on every track of their album. If a track is either composed or performed by somebody other than the artist or artists, it was not considered. Each record was carefully judged. In other words, artists must have contributed to each and every track on their entire album by employing both talents. This makes for a very interesting collection of recordings from all genres of popular music by the most talented musical artists on the planet.

Please see my first installment for a detailed history of how albums came in being and how this idea came about if you are interested.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ed Manolio
• Release date: Dec 19, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370297979

Ed Manolio

I was born in New York City but lived most of my early life in Fort Lee, New Jersey. After my schooling was finished, eventually I re-located to East Atlantic Beach, New York where I currently reside with my lovely wife Odalys. While growing up our family always had a dog although the responsibility to care for them always fell on my parents shoulders. I became a dog lover and finally decided to take the plunge into ownership with my first Irish Setter. It was quite an experience, one I wouldn't change at all. It certainly taught me the full impact of having a pet.My interests include music and music history, playing tennis, gardening, all Boston professional sports teams and animal rights. My first book, Tails From Dublin is a sincere look back at our lives together written entirely from her perspective. We had some adventures together and the book details them from her eyes. My next book, soon to be published, will be on a unique look at recorded popular music history.

Book preview

THE GREATEST SONGWRITER-PERFORMER ALBUMS IN RECORDED POPULAR MUSIC HISTORY Part Two

Artists M through Z

By Ed Manolio Copyright 2016 - Smashwords Edition

Welcome to the second of a two-part series. In this book, I explore and define the greatest albums ever recorded by musical artist or artists that have both composed and performed each and every track on their recording. This book explores the artists listed from M thru Z.

The book is formatted similar to my initial edition which encompassed artists listed from A thru L.

Briefly, I have considered all albums released by popular musical artists from 1948 (when long-playing 33 1/3 records became available to the public) through 2015 (the digital age). To make the grade an artist must have written or co-written and performed on every track of their album. If a track is either composed or performed by somebody other than the artist or artists, it was not considered. In other words, artists must have contributed to each and every track on their entire album by employing both talents.

Please see my first installment for a detailed history of how albums came in being and how this idea came about if you are interested.

How The Book Works

We list the individual artist or group, (identifying each member), and their specific album which fit our criteria. Our catalog will contain all the tracks on the chosen album with an * and bold typeface next to what we believe to be the strongest or best songs on each particular collection and then we offer a brief synopsis and explanation containing the reasoning each overall collection was chosen along with other interesting tidbits.

The Criteria

We chose the following conditions in order to make this list fit our title:

1-Any album in popular music, which is music of general appeal that is not of a classical nature, recorded by a solo artist, duo or group except for hit compilations, live performances or albums containing unrelated various artists.

2-Solo artist-must is involved in writing part or all of every song contained on their album.

Duo or group-at least one of the members must have written part or all of every song contained on their album

3-Each album must contain minimally three or more hit, recognizable or outstanding songs. (In this case hit does not have to mean the song charted; it refers to a song that is of high quality or distinguishable by that or another particular artist or artists who have borrow the song). These albums must contain what we consider no filler (songs of much lesser quality) tracks. Double albums must include five hit, recognizable or outstanding songs. Again, these tracks are noted in bold typeface and with an asterisk. Overall, all the tracks on the given album must be worthwhile in our humble estimation.

4-The albums were judged by the way they were released originally. No re-issues or bootlegged albums were considered.

We have done careful research while going through artist after artist to be able to determine those albums we deem the best in the category of performer-songwriter. Of course there are many top notch singer/performer albums not listed, but we feel we have chosen the cream of the crop. We certainly hope you enjoy viewing this list and also hope you give a listen to any of these albums that you have not had the pleasure of hearing previously. They are well worth your time! These are simply the cream of the crop of performer-songwriter albums.

Note: These albums are certainly worth listening to if you so desire. They were all crafted beautifully and will provide you with pleasurable music. For those of you just discovering any of these classic artists or collections, we suggest you begin enjoying any of the albums on this list. Just pick a genre that you favor. Let us continue – on to part two.

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M

MADONNA

True Blue (1986)

Label: Sire Records

Genre: Pop

Papa Don't Preach* (Brian Elliot / Madonna)

Open Your Heart*(Gardner Cole / Madonna / Peter Rafelson)

White Heat (Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

Live To Tell* (Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

Where's The Party (Stephen Bray / Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

True Blue (Stephen Bray / Madonna)

La Isla Bonita (Bruce Gaitsch / Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

Jimmy, Jimmy (Stephen Bray / Madonna)

Love Makes The World Go Round (Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

This was her third album, the first in which she contributed to the composition of all the tracks and also the one that turned Madonna into a true superstar icon in the music world. Three number one Billboard hit singles (see highlighted above), a number three with La Isla Bonita and True Blue which topped out at number four pushed the album to remain in the top position for five weeks. This record contains Latin grooves, dramatic ballads, classic girl-group pop and topical subjects like Love Makes The World Go Round and Papa Don’t Preach. And then there is Madonna herself. A determined, fearlessly provocative performer who stretches the limits while still delivering very good, danceable popular music showcasing her true skills as a songwriter, record-maker, provocateur and entertainer, all of which are clearly featured on this particular collection. It became the world's top-selling album of 1986, as well as the best-selling album of the 1980’s by any female artist in popular music.

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Like A Prayer (1989)

Label: Sire Records

Genre: Pop

Like A Prayer* (Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

Express Yourself* (Stephen Bray / Madonna)

Love Song (Madonna / Prince)

Till Death Do Us Part (Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

Promise To Try (Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

Cherish* (Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

Dear Jessie (Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

Oh Father (Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

Keep It Together (Stephen Bray / Madonna)

Spanish Eyes (Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

Act Of Contrition (Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

It took three years for her to release her fourth studio album but when it was heard it caused quite a stir. Madonna worked with Stephen Bray, Patrick Leonard, and fellow pop icon Prince on the album, co-writing and co-producing all the tracks. Holding the top spot on the Billboard album chart for six weeks, this is her most explicit collection. That did not prevent her from posting five songs on the Billboard top twenty which include the tunes highlighted above as well as Oh Father and Keep It Together. One can hear gospel, dance, funk and soul throughout this collection. The title track and its video reflect Madonna’s Catholic upbringing and caused quite a stir in the religious community. Express Yourself is her call for female empowerment while Oh Father is about her relationship with her own dad. Music videos were a big part of introducing this album to the public and the title track proved to be most controversial one of the many in her career. This was the record that pushed Madonna’s legacy as an artist that speaks her mind through her music.

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Ray Of Light (1998)

Label: Maverick · Warner Brother Records

Genre: Pop

Drowned World/Substitute For Love (David.Collins / Anita Kerr / Madonna / Rod McKuen / William Orbit)

Swim (Madonna / William Orbit)

Ray Of Light* (Dave Curtis / Christine Leach / Madonna / Curtiss Maldoon / William Orbit)

Candy Perfume Girl (Madonna / Susannah Melvoin / William Orbit)

Skin (Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

Nothing Really Matters (Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

Sky Fits Heaven (Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

Shanti/Ashtangi (Madonna / William Orbit)

Frozen* (Patrick Leonard / Madonna)

The Power Of Good-Bye* (Madonna / Rick Nowels)

To Have And Not To Hold (Madonna / Rick Nowels)

Little Star (Madonna / Rick Nowels)

Mer Girl (Madonna / William Orbit)

Madonna returned to the music scene after a four-year hiatus in which she starred in the movie Evita and gave birth to her first child. As the times changed, electronic music entered her world on this record making it a major departure from previous works. In fact, Ray of Light is filled with edgy dance songs and electronic technology. The album received universal acclaim, with reviewers commending the singer's new musical direction. Three top forty Billboard hits (see highlighted songs above) were featured from this collection and the some of the songs seem to have a common theme: spirituality and self-discovery. A couple of very personal tracks are Little Star that was written about the birth of her daughter; while Mer Girl relates to her mother’s passing. The album won four Grammy Awards from a total of six overall nominations and continued to show how Madonna was still very pertinent as the century was ending.

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Music (2002)

Label: Maverick · Warner Brothers Records

Genre: Pop

Music* (Mirwais Ahmadzaï / Madonna)

Impressive Instant (Mirwais Ahmadzaï / Madonna)

Runaway Lover (Madonna / William Orbit)

I Deserve It (Mirwais Ahmadzaï / Madonna)

Amazing (Madonna / William Orbit)

Nobody's Perfect (Mirwais Ahmadzaï / Madonna)

Don't Tell Me* (Mirwais Ahmadzaï / Joe Henry / Madonna)

What It Feels Like For A Girl* (Madonna / Guy Sigsworth)

Paradise (Not For Me) (Mirwais Ahmadzaï / Madonna)

Gone (Madonna / Nik Young / Damian Legassick)

On her eighth studio album Music, Madonna changed her style a bit by using vocoders (a device that alters the human voice) and stylish neo-electro beats. This album has an overall dance-pop and electronica vibe. However, it also contains elements of rock, country and folk. She placed three songs (see highlighted above) on the Billboard singles chart. I Deserve It and Nobody's Perfect are pretty ballads that were created with her new writing partner and producer Mirwais Ahmadzaï, who ended up playing a major part on this record. Paradise (Not for Me) is a seductive, sexy tune - a genre in which often she excels. Madonna's first album to reach the top of the Billboard album chart in eleven years since Like a Prayer; this was her most explicitly musical and restlessly creative and it was nominated for a total of five Grammys at the 2001 Grammy Awards, eventually winning one. Always one to stay on top of things, Madonna made sure this collection was cutting edge. Music made Rolling Stone magazine's The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, where it was ranked number 452.

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American Life (2003)

Label: Maverick · Warner Brothers Records

Genre: Pop

American Life* (Mirwais Ahmadzaï / Madonna)

Hollywood* (Mirwais Ahmadzaï / Madonna)

I'm So Stupid (Mirwais Ahmadzaï / Madonna)

Love Profusion (Mirwais Ahmadzaï / Madonna)

Nobody Knows Me (Mirwais Ahmadzaï / Madonna)

Nothing Fails (Jem Griffiths / Madonna / Guy Sigsworth)

Intervention (Mirwais Ahmadzaï / Madonna)

X-Static Process (Madonna / Stuart Price)

Mother And Father (Mirwais Ahmadzaï / Madonna)

Die Another Day* (Mirwais Ahmadzaï / Michel Colombier / Madonna)

Easy Ride (Madonna / Monte Pittman)

When you reach the height of stardom as done by Madonna, you can call the shots on your ninth studio album. Very aware of the world’s developments at the time of this recording, Madonna decided to speak out on this album. She has always been in the middle of musical trends and on American Life she tries to get involved in the weight of social commentary. Interestingly, there is a clashing of electro and folk that is present throughout the album, yet it still contains five number one dance tracks- Nothing Fails, Love Profusion, Hollywood, the title track and Die Another Day, which was featured in the James Bond movie of the same name. This is probably her most serious attempt at commentary on politics, materialism and the American lifestyle. However, there is a tune about her insecurities with herself in X-Static Process and about the joys of her son in Intervention. The final track, Easy Ride has the artist seeking happiness and peace in a mature way. It is an odd but interesting mixture of her thoughts showcased through her music that make this collection of songs rather special.

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Confessions On A Dance Floor (2005)

Label: Warner Brothers Records

Genre: Pop

Hung Up* (Benny Andersson / Madonna / StuartPrice / Björn Ulvaeus

Get Together* (Peer Astrom / Anders Bag Bagge / Madonna / Stewart Price)

Sorry (Madonna / Stuart Price)

Future Lovers (Mirwais Ahmadzaï / Madonna)

I Love New York (Madonna / Stuart Price)

Let It Will Be (Mirwais Ahmadzaï / Madonna / Stuart Price)

Forbidden Love (Madonna / Stuart Price)

Jump* (Madonna / Stuart Price)

How High (Henrik Jonback / Christian Karlsson / Madonna / Pontus Winnberg)

Isaac (Madonna / Stuart Price)

Push (Madonna / Stuart Price)

Like It Or Not (Henrik Jonback / Madonna / Pontus Winnberg)\

As Madonna's was continuously striving towards a progressive music environment, this album reflects more maturity in her style and orchestration. Four number one songs on the Billboard dance chart (Jump, Sorry, Hung Up and Get Together) helped make this collection a winner. Isaac with its Middle Eastern influence is a well written, beautiful song. How High seems semi-autobiographical, yet is great as a dance-workout song. She samples Donna Summer’s I Feel Love perfectly in the song Future Lovers. Overall, these powerful songs flow seamlessly into each other making for a very pleasant listen. Leaving Mirwais Ahmadzai (who produced Madonna’s previous two albums) in favor of Stuart Price was an invaluable decision, as Confessions On A Dance Floor feels like Madonna’s most organic and least-forced album in years. Add another star if you are a true-blue Madonna fan

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HENRY MANCINI

The Music from Peter Gunn (1959)

Label: RCA Victor Records

Genre: Soundtrack

Peter Gunn*

Sorta Blue

The Brothers Go To Mother’

Dreamsville*

Session At Pete's Pad

Soft Sounds

Fallout!*

The Floater

Slow And Easy

A Profound Gass

Brief And Breezy

Not From Dixie

(All songs written by Henry Mancini)

Pianist and composer Henry Mancini’s soundtrack from the then very popular crime-drama television series Peter Gunn, helped popularize and prove that ensemble sound was more important than virtuosic, emotive soloing in the jazz world. This soundtrack is full of memorable themes, lush textures and succinct solos played by big band veterans led by Mancini on keyboards. Although the Ray Anthony Orchestra had the biggest hit single with the title track reaching number three on the Billboard singles chart in 1959, Mancini’s version was the one heard on the show every week. Vibraphonist Victor Feldman is heavily featured and his instrument's soft, ringing tone plays a key role throughout the collection. The album’s smooth, sexy tone is the essence of what was cool for the era in which it was released - jazzy, seductive, innovative, and joyous. This record was one of the first to prove the power of television in the United States, where the songs were first heard before entering the world of radio. It was also the first album ever to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1959..

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Breakfast at Tiffany's (1962)

Label: RCA Victor Records

Genre: Swing/Pop/Soundtrack

Moon River* (Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer)

Something For Cat

Sally's Tomato

Mr. Yunioshi

The Big Blow Out

Hub Caps And Tail Lights

Breakfast At Tiffany's*

Latin Golightly

Holly*

Loose Caboose

The Big Heist

Moon River Cha Cha (Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer)

(All songs written by Henry Mancini unless otherwise noted))

Here is an album that remained on the Billboard charts for ninety weeks! The soundtrack from the classic movie of the same name starring Audrey Hepburn is a blending of pop and swing that remain fresh to this very day. This is a must-have for lounge fans and in fact any fan of the music of Henry Mancini. Of course, the seminal track on this record is Moon River which was composed along with Johnny Mercer. Other album high points are the great jazzy song The Big Heist, and the pop-sixties-Asian-influenced Mr. Yunioshi. Fans of slower, jazzier sounds will enjoy Holly, Sally's Tomato and the title track Breakfast at Tiffany's. The Big Blow Out followed by Hub Caps and Tail Lights, with their war era big band sound proved that Mancini and his score was relentless in its continual dial turn of musical tastes. His arrangement of the songs on this collection is top notch – mellow when they had to be but more upbeat when necessary. This record combines aspiration, ambition, sophistication and pretense into a really irresistible brew. Mancini and lyricist Mercer won Oscars for Best Original Song for Moon River, while Mancini picked up a second statue for Best Original Score in 1962.

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Charade (1963)

Label: RCA Victor Records

Genre: Swing/Pop/Soundtrack

Charade* (Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer)

Bistro

Bateau Mouche

Megeve

Bye Bye Charlie

The Happy Carousel*

Charade (Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer)

Orange Tamoure

Latin Snowfall

The Drip-Dry Waltz

Mambo Parisienne*

Punch And Judy

Charade (Carousel) (Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer)

(All songs written by Henry Mancini unless otherwise noted)

Diversity is the name of the game for this 1963 soundtrack. If you've seen the movie you don't have to be convinced that this is one of the most effective soundtracks ever produced. However, each of the album’s tracks can stand on their own individually. This is a great collection of some of the best cool-jazz sounds of the early-60's but also can be considered an easy listening tour of continental musical history: a Parisian café song on Bistro, Eastern European gypsy music on Bateau Mouche, a Schubert-type quartet on Bye Charlie, and some beer barrel polka on Punch and Judy. Mambo Parisienne has a south of the border feel and a circus like atmosphere abounds on Punch And Judy while the title track, which hit the Billboard top forty, is heard in three different ways on this record. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Mancini’s arrangements make this collection a very unique album and one that should be not forgotten. This is a true memento of the times.

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The Return of the Pink Panther (1975)

Label: RCA Victor Records

Genre: Swing/Pop/Soundtrack

The Pink Panther Theme*

The Greatest Gift*

Here's Looking at You, Kid

Summer in Gstaad

So Smooth

The Return of the Pink Panther, Pts. 1 & 2

The Greatest Gift [Vocal Version]

The Orange Float*

Dreamy

Disco

Navel Maneuver |

Belly Belly Bum Bum

The Wet Look

All songs written by Hal David and Henry Mancini)

Henry Mancini, by this time in his career, was turning down one offer after the other to compose movie soundtracks. Having scored the music from the first Pink Panther film, he agreed to do the same, this time teaming up with lyricist Hal David, for the follow-up movie. On The Return Of The Pink Panther score you can easily catch Mancini creating more modern sounds; those easy -70s grooves, not quite rock or funk but imbued with the subtext of both and well put together. The Greatest Gift is a beautiful, dreamy piece of music which reminds one the Swiss Alps. Both The Orange Float and Dreamy have sensual melodies that are free flowing. Navel Maneuver and Belly Belly Bum Bum both have middle-eastern flavor - again showing off Mancini’s world music influence. The title track became one of this composer’s most well-known works and it continues to surface on other future Pink Panther movies of which there are a few.

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CHUCK MANGIONE

Feels So Good (1973)

Label: A & M Records

Genre: Smooth Jazz

Feels So Good* (DJ Juanito / Chuck Mangione)

Maui-Waui

Theme From Side Street*

Hide & Seek (Ready Or Not Here I Come)*

Last Dance

The Xith Commandment

(All songs written by Chuck Mangione unless otherwise indicated)

This is the album that brought the genre smooth jazz to the forefront of the music scene in the middle seventies. With the featured title track peaking at number four on the Billboard singles chart, this collection is a sleek, easy listen that was very refreshing, especially for its time period. The reason - this record was timely and it was a fusion of the talent displayed, featuring great jazz progressions, while bringing something exciting to the musical style of its day. Chris Vadala's flute playing adds to the warmth and beauty to the piece Maui-Waui. A beautiful acoustic guitar solo by Grant Geissman stands out on Last Dance. Mangione himself stars on flugelhorn and electric piano while writing solid pieces which fill this collection that surprisingly skipped all the way to the number two position on the Billboard album chart. This record helped this musical genre become a mainstay on radio throughout the rest of the century. ____________________________________________________________

BARRY MANN

Soul & Inspiration (2008)

Label: Atlantic Records

Genre: Pop

You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'* (Barry Mann / Phil Spector / Cynthia Weil)

On Broadway (Jerry Leiber / Barry Mann / Mike Stoller / Cynthia Weil)

Don't Know Much (Barry Mann / Tom Snow / Cynthia Weil)

Rock & Roll Lullaby (Cynthia Weil / Barry Mann)

We Gotta Get Out of This Place (Barry Mann / Cynthia Weil)

(You're My) Soul and Inspiration* (Barry Mann / Cynthia Weil)

Sometimes When We Touch (Dan Hill / Barry Mann)

I Just Can't Help Believin' (Barry Mann / Cynthia Weil)

Just Once* (Barry Mann / Cynthia Weil)

Here You Come Again (Barry Mann / Cynthia Weil)

Somewhere Out There (James Horner / Barry Mann / Cynthia Weil)

Mann is an effective singer and a superb interpreter of his own quality

material. One of the great songwriters and part of one of the best songwriting teams, with Cynthia Weil, in pop music history, Mann chose to record some of his most beloved tunes on an album in 2008. With contributions from guest artists like Peabo Bryson, Daryl Hall, Carole King and Dan Hill, Mann puts his own stamp on these compositions. One outstanding highlight is King sharing vocals on You Lost That Lovin Feeling. Teaming with Bryan Adams, Mann sings passionately with that pounding piano on the Animals' hit and Vietnam era theme song, We Gotta Get Out this Place. In all, the artist put forth a collection that probably reveals the way he originally intended these songs to sound and although we are used to the more popular versions, these tracks also score when heard.

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BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS

(Bob Marley / Aston Family Man Barrett / Carlton Barrett / Tyrone Downie / Alvin Seeco Patterson / Julian