Poldo's Music Trivia II

This one was written at the suggestion of and in collaboration with my dear sister Gina Delucca. OK, boy and girls, the Fabdom just never ends: Even though Sir Paul is always thought about as The Beatles' bassist, it is worth remembering that Stu Sutcliffe was the band's original bass player until he left in '61 to pursue a career in painting. Before that, Macca filled in on guitar. He actually taught John how to properly tune a guitar! Paul was a perfectionists so, though not very often, when George's guitar work didn't meet his standards, he did it himself. Name thirteen (!) Beatles tunes in which Paul plays lead guitar. Go!!! Answer: And Your Bird Can Sing (with George), Another Girl, Back in the USSR, Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite, The End (with John and George), Good Morning, Good Morning, Helter Skelter (with George), I've Just Seen a Face, The Night Before, Paperback Writer (with George), Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Reprise

OK, girls and boys, let's go way back: The mayor of this beautiful town overlooking the Bay of Naples in southern Italy asked composer Ernesto De Curtis to write a song for Prime Minister Giuseppe Zenardelli, who was vacationing there, pleading him to keep his promise to help his village in its time of need. With lyrics by his brother, poet and painter Giambattista, De Curtis penned an 1894 classic Neapolitan air that has become a symbol of their culture. It has been connected to the passionate and picturesque depiction of the Amalfi coast. Extensively covered, notably by Caruso, Corelli, Lanza, Domingo, Pavarotti, Sinatra, Presley ("Surrender"), Martin and even Meat Loaf. Song? Answer: "Torna a Surriento" ("Return to Sorrento"). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol4OoaQ_Evs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fEld8UNi60 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsVk9sGiDcc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Bj9fQkvGo

OK, girls and boys, let's go way back: For the last few days I've had this song stuck in my head, as well as a children's tune with the same melody that we sang in Kindergarten under the title "Las Madreselvas" for Mother's Day. Not a bad earworm, however! That's what happens when your last name is Delucca. This traditional Neapolitan barcarolle pays homage to the breathtaking waterfront of the Gulf of Naples. Translated into Italian by Teodoro Cottrau in 1849. It was the first song translated from Neapolitan to Italian. A boatman invites you to accompany him in his nimble vessel to admire the sunset (dang, those Italians are romantic!). The seminal version was Enrico Caruso's. As always, I'm a bit partial to Mario Lanza's interpretation. Covered by, among many others, Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley and even Tom & Jerry (!). Song? Answer: "Santa Lucia". Dedicated to the Borgo Santa Lucia on the Neapolitan waterfront. No

Ok, boys and girls, back to the 70s: Eric Stewart's wife of eight years complained to him that he didn't tell her that he loved her often enough. This inspired him to co-write this ethereal 1975 innovative progressive-pop classic with bandmate Graham Gould. Cutting-edge background sound with multitracked vocals. Conceived initially as a bossa nova, it evolved in the studio into a "vocal wall of sound" with 48 overdubs using tape loops (!). The sparse instrumentation was added after the vocal tracks had been laid down. One of three U.K. singles for the group, this was their international breakthrough hit, peaking at #2 on Billboard's Hot 100. Part of the "Guardians of the Galaxy" soundtrack. Song? Group? Answer: "I'm Not in Love" by 10cc. Eric Stewart was the lead guitarist for Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders ("The Game of Love"). When Fontana left in '65, they became The Mindbenders with Stewart on lead vocals.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 30s: This 1931 Andre/Schwandt/Kahn composition is a romantic lullaby of parting lovers. It was first recorded by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra with Nelson on vocals. By far, the highest-charting version came in '68 by The Mamas and the Papas with Mama Cass Elliot on lead vocals and whistle. It was the group's last major hit, peaking at #12 Billboard Hot 100, #10 on Cash Box and #2 on East Listening. Memorable version by Ella Fitxgerald with Louis Armstrong on trumpet. Wonderfully covered by the MonaLisa Twins. Song? Answer: "Dream a Little Dream of Me". This one goes to my favorite Mamas and Papas fan, Lauren Denise Delucca. If you've never listened to the MonaLisa Twins, you owe it to yourself to do so. Born in Vienna and based in Liverpool, identical twins Mona and Lisa Wagner are gifted vocalists and musicians, faithfully covering 60s music - masterful harmonies, retro instruments! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8I

OK, girls and boys, back to the 30s: It was 1935 in the middle of The Great Depression. Cole Porter was in the South Pacific aboard the R.M.S. Franconia when he composed what would become one of the most popular tunes of the Swing Era. "When the singer hears the music to the dance, it brings back memories". It was introduced by June Knight as part of "Jubilee", a Broadway musical comedy. Recorded by Xavier Cougat to a tepid reception. In 1938 Artie Shaw was a struggling clarinetist and band leader, as were most musicians in the dire economy of the day. An RCA Victor subsidiary gave him a chance to record an instrumental swing version as a B-side with his orchestra featuring Shaw on clarinet. It sold millions of copies, more than any other instrumental to that date. Memorable cover versions by Sinatra and Fitzgerald. By far, my favorite version is Mario Lanza's impassioned rendition. Part of the "Yellow Submarine" and "The Marvelous Mrs.