Harrison's Gretsches

OK, more Fabdom: George Harrison's first Gretsch Country Gentleman was destroyed when it fell from his car. When did his second one make its last "public" appearance and who owns it now? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjEUwZ21wts Answer: Olivia gave it to Ringo upon George's death and he still has it. Last seen in "Help" doing "You're Gonna Lose That Girl". The GREAT Gretsch sound! I string mine with Pyramid Gold lights - nothing else will do! http://www.youtube.com/​watch?v=VjEUwZ21wts

"Pomp and Circumstance"

OK, time to don your caps and gowns: The title of this British romantic composer's 1901 march comes from Act III, Scene III of Shakespeare's "Othello". It was dedicated to his friend Alfred E. Rodewald and the members of the Liverpool Orchestral Society. The Trio section, "Land of Hope and Glory" debuted in the U.S. as the processional at Yale's 1905 commencement when the composer was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Music. It has since become a standard in U.S. high-school and university graduations. Work? Composer? Answer: "Pomp and Circumstance Military March No. 1 in D" by Sir Edward Elgar. In Puerto Rico, the "Triumphal March" from Verdi's "Aida" is the standard processional music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moL4MkJ-aLk

"Alone Again (Naturally)" by Gilbert O'Sullivan.

OK, back to the 70's: This Beatles-influenced Irish singer singer/songwriter/pianist's given name was Raymond Edward; his stage name was adapted to resemble that of a popular 19th century operettist duo. His only U.S. #1 hit was a 1972 poignant and introspective quasi-autobiographic account of contemplating suicide after being left at the altar as well as the death of his parents. It topped the charts for 6 weeks, received 3 Grammy nominations and Casey Kasem ranked it as the 5th most popular song of the 70's. The memorable nylon-string guitar solo comes from English session musician Big Jim Sullivan. Artist? Song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_P-v1BVQn8

Comment: This beautiful pop ballad first hit the U.S. market in Philly and was still hot when I arrived there during the summer of '73.

"It Doesn't Matter Anymore".

OK, back to the 50's: A 17 year-old Paul Anka wrote this 1958 pop classic for his touring mate Buddy Holly at his request. Backed by Dick Jacobs' Orchestra, it was one of Holly's 1st recordings with strings - Jacobs wrote the orchestral arrangement 3 hours before the recording session! Anka donated his composer royalties to Buddy's family after his untimely death. It topped the charts in the UK, becoming the first posthumous #1 hit in UK history. It was Holly's last U.S. Top 20 hit, peaking posthumously at #13. Linda Ronstadt charted with it in '74 and it was also masterfully covered by the late great Eva Cassidy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IbvVOgFce4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKx9hmt5G8U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lt6-ykIkTQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lt6-ykIkTQ

Comment: Jacobs' pizzicato arrangement for Holly is so different from Anka's original tempo - Ronstadt's and Cassidy's versions are much truer to the original composition. Great tune!

"The Hot Canary" by Florian ZaBach.

OK, more 50's one-hit wonders: This Chicago-born jazz violinist's only hit came in 1951 with a Paul Nero composition. Played on a 1732 Guarnieri del Gesu from Cremona, it made the Top 15 on the Pop charts and sold over one million copies. Artist? Hit?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrojPd_7gA4

One of my Dad's faves. A regular on the old Bogen hi-fi.

Christmas Songs by Jewish Composers.

OK, in the true spirit of the Season: Twelve of the Top 25 Christmas Songs were written by our Jewish brothers. Name them.....


Answer: Winter Wonderland, The Christmas Song, Sleigh Ride, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Let It Snow, White Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree, Silver Bells, I'll Be Home For Christmas, A Holly Jolly Christmas.

"Behind Closed Doors"

OK, back to the 70's: This 1973 Kenny O'Dell classic love ballad was Charlie Rich's first #1 Country hit as well as a solid crossover, peaking at #15 on the Pop charts. Country Song and Single Of The Year as well as a Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. #9 on CMT's 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyoPaVxMyWY

"Day After Day (It's Slippin' Away)".

OK, more 60's one-hit wonders: Based upon concerns about overpopulation and dire earthquake predictions in California, this 1969 "novelty" Calypso tune was the only hit for a Cali-based rock band. A collaboration between Jerry Riopelle, Thomas Reynolds (later of Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds) and Davenport, IA native Stuart Margolis (as in "The Rockford Files"). Song? Group?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2ZXco32IRU

"Baby (You've Got What It Takes)".

OK, back to the 60's: This 1960 Otis/Stein/Benton soul ballad was first recorded and popularized as a duet by Brook Benton and Dinah Washington. It made the Top 5 on the Pop charts and topped the R&B charts, becoming one of the most popular R&B ballads of the 60's. Covered by Michael Buble and by Anne Murray. It is NOT to be confused with a similarly-titled 1959 Marv Johnson release. Song? For extra credit, name the Marv Johnson tune. But wait, there's more! For FURTHER extra credit, whom was it attributed to and who REALLY wrote it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkZc5YR36Q0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oOtECHc5uA

Yesterday's answer: "Orange Colored Sky".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-6QknAOsVo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4D4WgwYQAM

"Orange Colored Sky"

OK, back to the 50's: This 1950 Milton DeLugg/Willie Stein standard was popularized by Nat "King" Cole accompanied by The Stan Kenton Orchestra, peaking at #11. It was one of the first tunes to become a hit from TV exposure. Masterfully covered by Lady Gaga on last week's "A Very Gaga Thanksgiving".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-6QknAOsVo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4D4WgwYQAM

November 23, 1936.

‎75 years ago today was a landmark day in recorded music history. Robert Johnson recorded eight songs, including his seminal "Crossroads", in wax at the Gunther Hotel in San Antonio, TX. At the same time, a 60 year old Pablo Casals recorded two of Bach's Cello Suites at the Abbey Road Studio in London, establishing him as one of the finest musicians ever.

"Love Or Let Me Be Lonely".

OK, back to the 70's: This 1970(great year!)Scarborough/Peters/Poree composition was the 2nd Top 10 hit for The Friends Of Distinction and their only Adult Contemporary hit single (#6 on both charts). It also peaked at #13 R&B. Paul Davis' 1982 cover went to #40 Pop and #11 Adult Contemporary. For extra credit name The Friends Of Distinction's first hit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XqbS-vjkBA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iMqIMzFIpE

"Liebestraum(e)" by Franz Liszt.

OK, back to the classics: Franz Liszt wrote and published these three technically challenging piano soli in 1850 based on amorous poems by Uhland and Freiligrath. By far the best-loved one is the 3rd, subtitled "Notturno", about "mature and unconditional love". Three separate variations upon the same melody separated by fast and difficult cadenzas, it is a standard on most pianists' repertoires.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4XEPdYO5mM

"Your Heart Has Changed Its Mind"

OK, more 60's: Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield co-wrote this poignant ballad in 1961. Sedaka recorded it on that same year but did not release in until 1978 on "The Many Sides Of Neil Sedaka", a compilation of his lesser-known songs and B-sides from '58 to '65. Jan and Dean's '62 cover was the B-side to their hit "Tennessee".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzwt4ZXBXaU&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLD9448710A958B0B3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-xQCM4tljg&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLA40877CFE6C0E213

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-CaP7snr0g

"Why" by Frankie Avalon.

OK, back to the 50's (barely!): This Bob Marcucci/Peter DeAngelis composition sung by Philly-native Frankie Avalon topped the charts during the last week of December of '59, making it the last #1 hit single of the 50's. It was his 2nd and last #1 hit. Donny Osmond's '72 cover peaked at #13. Song? First #1 hit?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqjjUKu9t-8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEZJyfPkWCY

Answer: "Why" by Frankie Avalon. His first #1 hit was "Venus" (NOT to be confused with Kevin Meaney's version!).

"Let It Be" by The Beatles.

OK, more Fabdom: This Macca composition is THE only Beatles tune in which Linda McCartney sang AND their first release in the Soviet Union (1972).

"Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" by James Brown.

OK, back to the 60's: This 1965 James Brown composition is widely recognized as the first "funk" tune, defining the genre. The old man is bold enough to show off some dance moves. Topped the R&B charts and was his first Pop Top 10 hit at #8. It pioneered his funk sound with heavy horns and driving electric guitar. He recorded the vocals in one take and the instruments in less than one hour! Ranked #72 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time and was inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in '99.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtqDB2spyG0

Yesterday's answer: "Lily The Pink" by The Scaffold.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x8D4T--0v4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XEDkVHrUWk

"Lily The Pink" by The Scaffold.

OK. more 60's: This Liverpudlian comedy/poetry/music trio's only #1 UK hit came in late 1968 with their adaptation of "The Ballad Of Lydia Pinkham", a traditional 19th-century rugby and pub song. Pinkham was an early entrepreneuse, manufacturing a "women's tonic". One of their members, Mike McGear (born Peter Michael McCartney) was Sir Paul's younger brother. It sold over a million copies and was Certified Gold. Graham Nash, Tim Rice and Reg Dwight (aka Sir Elton John) lent background vocals and Cream's Jack Bruce added bass. The Irish Rovers' cover was a minor U.S. hit. Group? Hit?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x8D4T--0v4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XEDkVHrUWk

Yesterday's answer: "In The Quiet Morning" by Mimi Farina. Folk music at its best!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWX81dvYkeshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HA5AobLE74

"In The Quiet Morning" by Mimi Farina.

OK, more 70's: This Palo Alto-born singer/songwriter penned a tribute to Janis Joplin shortly after her untimely death in 1970. Her older sister Joan Baez recorded it as part of her 1972 album "Come From The Shadows". She left us in 2001 at the age of 56. Artist? Song?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWX81dvYkes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HA5AobLE74

Yesterday's answer: "Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell". A classic! In my book Jimmy Webb is arguably our greatest living popular composer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qoymGCDYzU

"Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell.

OK, more 60's: Jimmy Webb wrote this '68 classic ballad while driving along the Kansas-Oklahoma border. He saw a telephone repairman perched atop a pole and thought about his first love affair with a woman whom eventually married another man. A tale of loneliness and yearning for an absent lover. Glen Campbell recorded it with Webb on the Hammond organ. It received 4 Grammy nominations and won one. Topped the Country and Easy Listening charts and peaked at #3 Pop. Ranked #192 among Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qoymGCDYzU

Yesterday's answer: "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" by Chuck Berry. John Fogerty's seminal "Centerfield" was his best-selling post-CCR album. He played every instrument, did all the vocals and, other than for 2 "bonus tracks", wrote all the songs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uyw5_z4ElA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT96UoUAz_Y