Nineties Singer-Songwriters

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(Singer-songwriter, b. 1974) This Canadian singer recorded two teen-oriented albums that went nowhere in 1990 and 1992. Signed to Madonna’s Maverick label, major debut Jagged Little Pill (1995) was a multi-platinum success. Music aside, it was Morissette’s abrasive, honest, sharp lyrical concerns, ranging from anger at being jilted to confessional, that captivated. Singles like ‘Ironic’ and the Chilis-esque rock power of ‘You Oughta Know’ were huge hits. Second album Supposed Former ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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(Singer-songwriter, b. 1959) This Canadian singer-songwriter first found US success with his third album Cuts Like A Knife (1984). With material ranging from pleasing orthodox rock to lung-sucking ballads, the rest of the 1980s were fertile soil especially for rousing singles like ‘Summer Of ‘69’. Adams began the 1990s with the theme song from Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves, ‘(Everything I Do) I Do It For You’, which topped the UK ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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‘A Girl Like You’, 1995 When ‘A Girl Like You’ became a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, not many remembered that Edwyn Collins used to be part of the talented Scottish pop group Orange Juice. The song was Collins’ biggest hit since Orange Juice’s ‘Rip It Up’ in 1983, and it is a standout pop tune that has allowed Collins to remain a household name. His recording career has ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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(Guitar, singer-songwriter, 1966–97) Son of singer-songwriter Tim, Jeff Buckley possessed an astonishing vocal range, emotional capacity and genuine songwriting talent. His mini album Live At Sin-e (1992) was the signpost to the classic debut Grace (1994). As well as stellar original material like ‘Last Goodbye’, Buckley delivered the definitive cover of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’. Sessions for an eagerly awaited second album ended in May 1997 when Buckley drowned in the Mississippi ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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(Multi-instrumentalist, producer, singer-songwriter, b. 1964) Accused of being ‘retro’ when first emerging in 1989, Lenny Kravitz proved a trendsetter. Inspired by 1960s and 1970s icons like Led Zeppelin, The Who and Jimi Hendrix, Kravitz developed a similarly warm, guitar-led sound that became hugely popular. Mama Said (1991) and Are You Gonna Go My Way? (1993) are prime examples. As well as his own resonant material, Kravitz wrote for other artists, including ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
103 Words Read More

(Singer-songwriter, b. 1970) Along with Whitney Houston, Carey (New York-born of Irish/African-American/Venezuelan descent) is one of the most successful female singers in American pop history. Her eponymous debut (1990) showcased her five-octave range and songwriting talent. Gorgeously sexy promotional videos meant songs like ‘Vision Of Love’ and ‘Love Takes Time’ were soon topping the charts. Emotions (1991) and Music Box (1993) spawned more hits and Carey began to tour. Equally at ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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(Singer-songwriter, b. 1971) One of rap’s most iconic and important female stars, Melissa Elliott began writing for artists like Aaliyah before securing her own record deal. Supa Dupa Fly (1997) was a startling debut showcasing Elliott’s witty female empowering lyrics and masterful songwriting talent. Subsequent albums delivered hit after hit as well as featuring guest appearances from a male rap aristocracy eager to lyrically spar with ‘Misdemeanor’. Da Real World (1999) ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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(Singer-songwriter, b. 1959) Adored by fans almost as much as he adores himself, Morrissey’s post-Smiths career has been nothing less than stellar. Writing mainly with guitarist Boz Boorer, Morrissey delivered a number of hit albums and singles. With North and Latin America eventually falling for him, he could even afford to lose his way on Maladjusted (1997). Recent albums You Are The Quarry (2004) and Ringleader Of The Tormentors (2006) have ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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(Guitar, singer-songwriter, b. 1958) Weller had already written himself into pop history with the feisty guitar pop of The Jam and soulfully commercial groove of The Style Council when he went solo in 1990. Musically and spiritually renewed by live work, Paul Weller (1992) laid strong acoustic foundations for the masterful Wild Wood (1994). This mature collection of songs showcased Weller’s emotional depth and confirmed a songwriting genius not afraid to ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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(Producer, singer-songwriter, b. 1969) With his roots firmly planted in R&B, pop and balladry Robert Kelly is one of America’s most successful male artists. Early albums like 12 Play (1993) and R. Kelly (1995) showcased his booty grabbing smooth vocal style over self-written and produced sensual music. ‘Sex Me Pts 1 & 2’, ‘She’s Got That Vibe’ and ‘Bump ‘N’ Grind’ were massive hit singles. Apparently finding God, Kelly cemented mainstream success ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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(Guitar, singer-songwriter, b. 1949) The career of this brilliant guitarist and songwriter began in the 1960s with Fairport Convention. Solo releases throughout the 1970s and 1980s – especially I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight (1974), with then-wife Linda – cemented a reputation for an influential guitar style equally at home in folky acoustic and electric settings. During the 1990s, retrospectives like Watching The Dark (1993) and new albums like ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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(Singer-songwriter, b. 1962) This former jingle and session singer – a backing vocalist on Michael Jackson’s Bad tour – was already having her songs recorded by the likes of Eric Clapton when she finally secured a solo deal. Tuesday Night Music Club (1993) showcased her rootsy compositional and vocal style to great effect and was dragged up the charts by the eventual success of the lyrically idiosyncratic ‘All I Wanna Do’ ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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(Singer-songwriter, b. 1966) A woman apt to speak her mind and sing her heart out, O’Connor’s strong sense of personal feminism has informed all of her work. Her cover version of Prince’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ propelled her second album I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got (1990) into the international waters of multi-platinum success. More hit singles like ‘Haunted’ – with Shane MacGowan – followed, as did controversy, but ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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(Singer-songwriter, b. 1963) Originally compared to Joni Mitchell, North Carolina-born Amos has an ability to blend crafted confessional and confident songwriting with pop and rock hooks. Subject matter included rape – ‘Me And A Gun’ – as well as miscarriage, marriage and the celebration of her own sexuality. As well as singles like ‘Cornflake Girl’ and ‘Pretty Good Year’, strong albums from Little Earthquakes (1991), Strange Little Girls (2001) and recent ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
97 Words Read More

West-coast city Seattle was the unanticipated epicentre of 1990s music as grunge, the biggest ‘back to basics’ movement since punk, shook traditional American rock – Nirvana was to enjoy iconic status for a spell until Kurt Cobain’s death. In the UK, the dance-rock of The Stone Roses, a holdover from the late 1980s, put Manchester briefly in the picture, but it was American bands like Metallica, the Red Hot Chili ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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