Superstar Battles: DIONNE WARWICK V NATALIE COLE Starting Over Again

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A rare and beautiful song composed by the uber-talented Michael Masser and the legend that was Gerry Goffin who with his wife Carole King wrote dozens of classic hits including 'Locomotion', 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow' and 'One Fine Day' just to name a few. Michael Masser was simply one of the most romantic lyricists ever! Tracks like 'The Greatest Love Of All', 'Touch Me In The Morning' and The Theme From Mahogany: 'Do You Know Where You're Going To' were immortalised by such legends as Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, George Benson and Natalie Cole.

'Starting Over Again' was first recorded in 1981 as 'Now We're Starting Over Again' by Dionne Warwick on one side of a double album release 'Hot Live & Otherwise' with this stirring ballad part of the 'Otherwise' content. Three of the five studio tracks were produced and co-penned by Michael Masser - there was another co-write with Gerry Goffin on 'There's A Long Road Ahead Of Us' and one with Carole Bayer Sager who was a frequent collaborator of both Peter Allen and Melissa Manchester: 'Some Changes Are For Good' is another brilliant ballad with requisite sterling work from the legend that is Dionne Warwick. Dionne's second wind in the 1980's after her double Grammy win with the Barry Manilow produced 'Dionne' saw her prolifically fill the decade with Adult Contemporary fare; light R&B and pop outings; occasionally veering into funk or synth pop, but 'Now We're Starting Over Again' is most emphatically the lane in which Dionne is most impressive. Those tones and that vocal range is just sublime.

Another exemplary vocalist, Natalie Cole recorded the Masser/Goffin love song; some 8 years later on her 'Good To Be Back' opus. It also featured that beautiful track 'Miss You Like Crazy' which I posted the clip of recently on my channel. That hit was another Masser/Goffin gem; also penned by Preston Glass. In Natalie's hands, 'Starting Over Again' is such a thing of beauty. Interestingly Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin also produced Natalie's version of their song which made the Adult Contemporary Chart early in 1990.

Whilst my all time three fave singers are Melissa, Donna and Dionne - my vote here goes to Natalie, who sits a little further down my list of most loved singers, but I think she owns this recording completely and it suits her voice better. A slower tempo also gives it greater cogency and it feels more romantic than Dionne's, but I adore listening to Ms Warwick's voice and feel blessed to have seen her in concert. A LEGEND!

I was truly saddened by the death of Natalie Cole on the last day of 2015 at the age of 65. Her voice is just superb and although she struggled in the shadow of her legendary father, Natalie had her time to shine, and I am so thankful to have found her music across my lifetime. Listening to Natalie Cole is like hearing an old friend. Her dance tracks are fierce and fun; and her ballads soar with her control and her passion.

It is an embarrassment of riches to have the chance to showcase two of the finest singers of the middle of last century.