Donny Osmond literally grew up in front of television cameras, a teeny-bop poster kid--along with his brothers and then his younger sister Marie--from an earlier, more innocent era. By the early '90s, Donny had dipped toward the edge of the pop-cultural radar when he gambled on a career in musical theater--a gamble that broke the bank with his triumphant, extended tour in the lead of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1992 Canadian Cast). Since then Donny has continued with his comeback, including the polished pop of his latest album, What I Meant to Say. Donny shared his wide-ranging tastes with us in an unusually extensive listing of music he recommends his fans hear. (This is part 1 of 2--to see the rest of his picks, please visit http://amazon.com/o/tg/guides/guide-display/-/2FX1ZRU6OQUK. Or find more artists' recommendations on our main Music You Should Hear page: http://www.amazon.com/mysh)
"What Is Hip?" by Tower of Power was what I constantly played on my 8-track! Lenny Williams's vocals are amazing. I also love "You Got to Funkifize." [Both are on What Is Hip?: The Tower of Power Anthology.]
Sly and the Family Stone's "Hot Fun in the Summertime" and "Family Affair" are great. Brings back so many memories of the '70s for me. I did "Sing a Simple Song" with my brothers in concert and tried to get that scream. At 12 years old…Yeah right! Get Essential Sly & Family Stone for '70s funk.
Gino Vannelli's Brother to Brother is one of those forgotten albums until you bring it up in conversation. It's great white funk. "Appaloosa" and "I Just Want to Stop" are just two of the great songs on that album.
90125, Yes Trevor Horn--one of the greatest producers of our time. I was convinced of that when I heard "Owner of a Lonely Heart."
Hall & Oates' "Kiss on My List" and "Sara Smile" are just great pop songs. Get their greatest hits [The Very Best of Daryl Hall & John Oates]. You'll like all of them.
Toto IV "I Won't Hold You Back" is such a well written song. The way Steve Lukather comes in with his guitar solo and works around the key changes is brilliant. "Rosanna" and "99" are also great songs. We lost an amazing drummer in Jeff!
Welcome to the Real World, Mr. Mister Richard Paige has one of the best voices in the business and that's evident with "Broken Wing" and "Kyrie." Say what you want about the '80s music. This sold millions of copies.
You want an inspiring piano CD? Try Keith Jarrett's The K�ln Concert. All improv. Amazing.
Chicago 17 I like this one because I sang on it. Richard Marx and Bill Champlin asked me to sing bg's on "We Can Stop the Hurtin'."
I loved the Doobie Brothers before Michael McDonald, but he just added so much to their sound. Minute by Minute is just a great album with the obvious favorite, "What a Fool Believes."
Chick Corea. Get Priceless Jazz. The track "Light Years" is my favorite. Dave Weckl kills me on drums; of course all 5 of them on "Light Years" kill me. Those are what I call unbelievable musicians! I went to one of their rehearsals and had to pick my jaw up off the floor.
Regardless of what's going on, Michael Jackson's Thriller - Special Edition changed the world of pop music. It is a classic.
"Me and Bobby McGee" by Janis Joplin [on Janis Joplin - Greatest Hits]. I would be glued to the radio when that came on back in the '70s.
So, Peter Gabriel Another classic. "Don't Give Up" with Kate Bush was my theme song in the late '80s. "Big Time"…Really listen to the lyrical meaning of that song. I love it.
Gaucho, Steely Dan One of the greatest albums ever made. I always use this CD as a sound reference in studios.
The Hits 1, Prince "1999" is a materpiece. One of those songs that I had to pull the car off to the side of the road when I first heard it so I could realy listen to it. He is a musical genius.
Hatful of Rain: The Best of Del Amitri, Del Amitri I think the way he produces his vocals is pure. "Tell Her This" is one of those songs that is so simple. I wish I would have written that one.
Come Away with Me, Norah Jones In the midst of a slump in the record business, here comes Norah. I just love the way she did the old Hank Williams song "Cold Cold Heart" and I love "Don't Know Why."
When I Look in Your Eyes, Diana Krall I had the privilege of having her on the Donny and Marie show and she sang "Popsicle Toes" for me. Wow! That was a moment. It is my favorite. "Let's Face the Music and Dance" is a great song to chill with.
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