Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, boys and girls, back to the Winter Olympics and Paralympics: This 1969 Burt Bacharach vocalese/scat a capella classic was part of the legendary "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid" soundtrack. When it became clear they have to flee, they head for Bolivia (hint, hint!), along with Etta Place, in search of a more successful criminal career. It was performed by The Ron Hicklin Singers, an L.A.-based ensemble of studio vocalists. It is now the background music for the "a little coffee goes a long way" Starbucks TV commercial, being aired during the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Tune? Answer: "South American Getaway". "...pad a dap a dapadda, doob be doobee doop, pum… pum… pum… padadappada..." The Ron Hicklin Singers were the vocal equivalent of The Wrecking Crew. They were the real backup singers to The Partridge Family. They also recorded the backing vocals to "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Theme", Richard Harris' ...

OK, girls and boys, more jingle-jangle: This 1964 Dylan opus was heavily influenced by Rimbaud's poetry and was called by Paul Williams "Dylan's Sermon On The Mount". It expresses his solidarity with the downtrodden and the oppressed as he and his companion watch a thunderstorm from shelter. It marks Dylan's transition from his "protest" period to a "born-again pacifist moral poet". The Byrds' ethereal version on their first studio album adds another layer of meaning as McGuinn's 12-string Rickenbacker sound evokes the song's title. Song? Answer: "Chimes of Freedom". A classic! To this day (since '65!), it is absolutely impossiible for me (or any other Byrds nut!) to sit down with a 12-string and not play "Chimes Of Freedom". Crosby's high harmonies are ANGELIC! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrtFg6gJ6Cc&list=RDyrtFg6gJ6Cc&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDOHhx_dk1g&list=RD...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This "cross between psychedelia and early heavy-metal" band from NYC cut 5 albums between 1967 and 1969. They started out as Rick Martin and The Snowmen and later evolved into The Pigeons. Heavily influenced by The Young Rascals, they recorded excellent covers of Beatles and Cher songs. Their biggest hit was a Supremes cover featured during the final episode of "The Sopranos". Group? Biggest hit? Answer: Vanilla Fudge. "You Keep Me Hangin' On". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dJO47d26kc&list=RD3dJO47d26kc&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: Singer/songwriter Gene Thomas met young vocalist Debbe Neville in Nashville. They were signed by Acuff-Rose Music to record under the TRX label. Their one hit was a 1968 Thomas composition that sold over a million copies, was awarded a Gold Record and peaked at #18. A dialogue between a woman warning her beau about his reputation as a heartbreaker and the man triying to prove his sincere love. Very pleasant pop/country harmonies. Song? Duo? Answer: "Playboy" by Gene and Debbe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDlxq0pCiCc&list=RDeDlxq0pCiCc&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: This beat/pop band from North London formed in 1963. They had a female drummer, Honey Lantree, very rare in those days. Their only hit was a Howard/Blaikley collaboration - it reached #1 in the UK, Australia and Canada and #5 in the U.S. Group? Hit? Answer: "Have I the Right?" by The Honeycombs. I remember watching them doing "Have I the Right" on "Shindig" - mighty cool! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZUWHfI6EuE&list=RD2ZUWHfI6EuE&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: Husband-and-wife singer/songwriter duo John Carter/Gillian Shakespeare wrote their major hit in 1974 in southwest London, far away from any shore. They recruited lead vocalist Tony Burrows ("Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)", "Gimme Dat Ding", "United We Stand") and Chas Miller to form a pop studio-based group. Riding the wave of 60s nostalgia and with Brian Wilson-esque rich harmonies, it peaked at #4 in the US and at #13 in the UK. Group? Song? For extra credit, name Carter's 1965 hit. Answer: "Beach Baby" by The First Class. Extra credit: "Tossing and Turning". A little bubblegummy but I always liked "Beach Baby". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeGPpwFpIAA&list=RDoeGPpwFpIAA&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAkIbLSYOBI&list=RDbAkIbLSYOBI&start_radio=1