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"Kol Nidre(i)".

OK, girls and boys, let's go WAY back: This powerful declaration is either sung or recited in Aramaic before sunset to open service at the synagogue on the eve of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), the holiest day of the year in Judaism. The title translates into "All Vows". It preemptivelly nullifies any promises that one is unable to keep during the ensuing year and focuses on self-imposed religious obligations between the individual and God. Profoundly haunting and emotional, it is sung three times with crescendo, signifying the need to listen and be heard. Originally composed between the 11th and 15th centuries as "Mi Sinai", the most popular version these days was arranged by Max Bruch, who was NOT Jewish. Sung by Neil Diamond in "The Jazz Singer". Title? Answer: "Kol Nidre(i)". Growing up in Puerto Rico, I had very little exposure to the Jewish faith other than what little I learned in Catholic school and that some of my father...
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"Hungarian Dance No. 5 in F# minor Allegro-Vivace" by Johannes Brahms.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s (the 1870s, that is!): This 1876 Johannes Brahms composition was heavily inspired by Franz Liszt's "gypsy music". It was based upon the csardas "Bartfai Emlek" (Memories of Bartfa). Brahms mistakenly assumed that it was a traditional folk song, only to find out that it had been composed by Bela Keler. One of Brahms' most popular and profitable compositions. Originally composed for piano four hands, it was later arranged for orchestra by Albert Parlow and for violin by Paul Klengel. First recorded by Leopold (great name!) Stokowski conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra. Musical piece? Answer: "Hungarian Dance No. 5 in F# minor Allegro-Vivace" by Johannes Brahms. Another one of my father's favorites. I grew up listening to Heifetz's rendition on the big ol' Bogen hi-fi. Years later, I had the privilege of seeing David Oistrakh, and later Yehudi Menuhin, perform it at the Casals Festival in P...
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"Jesse" by Carly Simon.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 80s: Carly Simon describes this 1980 country-flavored pop classic as "...a song laying plain the fact that good intentions go to hell when you are crazy for someone". An ex-lover is returning to town, so she enlists family and friends to let him know all the things she won't do for him. Midway through the song, however, her plans go out the window. As opposed to "You're So Vain", this song is not about a specific person. It was the leading cut from her ninth studio album and became a staple of her rare live appearances, as she was always plagued by morbid stage fright. Her daughter Sally Taylor does the "la-la" at the end and soon to be ex-husband James Taylor sings background vocals. Peaked at #11 Billboard, #9 Cash Box, Certified Gold. Song? Answer: "Jesse" by Carly Simon". After 40+ years, she finally confirmed that "You're So Vain" is about Warren Beatty +/- two other men. ...
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"Anji" by Davey Graham.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: A 19-year-old British folk guitarist dedicated this 1961 acoustic fingerstyle blues/folk classic to his then girlfriend. Well-known for its challenging descending bass line. This piece heavily influenced the 60s British folk revival. He's also credited for popularizing the DADGAD alternate tuning. Paul Simon's version on the 1966 "Sounds Of Silence" album is Simon and Garfunkel's ONLY instrumental studio recording. Artist? Song? Answer: "Anji" by Davey Graham. Another one of those tests of manhood in the 60s - you HAD to be able to play "Anji" if you were worth anything as a guitarist. I was awed when I watched Paul Simon and his brother Eddie play it on the Kraft Music Hall in 1968. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnJ_SGX4u0w&list=RDQnJ_SGX4u0w&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JxMHL9h-W0&list=RD1JxMHL9h-W0&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q0szRvtT4M&list=RD1Q...
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"Lola" by The Kinks. (Posted 6/12/2020)

50 (!) years ago today "Lola" by The Kinks was released. The Davies brothers have declared it #LolaDay today. I'll never forget the first time my friends and I heard the song. We had just graduated from high school. It came on the radio - we looked at each other in disbelief - did we just hear what we heard?! VERY racy for 1970 but we LOVED it! There is something so unorthodox, unapologetic and poetically blunt about The Kinks' music. The predecessors to punk. Untamed yet melodic, introspective, witty and observational in the most creative, captivating way. Nothing gives you a more vivid picture of parts of British culture than diving into a Kinks album. We came up with an even edgier Spanish version but I'll keep it to myself......
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"What I Did for Love" from "A Chorus Line".

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: This "anthem of resilience" was written by Marvin Hamlisch, with lyrics by Edward Kleban, for the 1975 Broadway musical "A Chorus Line" and, together with "One", quickly became its showstoppers. Not a love (hint, hint!) song in the romantic sense, but rather about a passion for performing and the sacrifices made for it. In the original Broadway production it was sung by the character Diana Morales but, in the 1985 movie adaptation, it was performed by Cassie Ferguson. Covered by, among many others, Eydie Gorme, Aretha, Bing, Robert Goulet, Lea Michele and Josh Groban. Song? Answer: "What I Did for Love" from "A Chorus Line". I will forever be grateful to that wonderful musical. It was 1981, the day before I took my ENT specialty boards. I was staying at the Palmer House Hotel, where the boards are given once a year. Judy went to New Orleans with her nursing school classmates. I was the onl...
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"Under Paris Skies" ("Sous le Ciel de Paris").

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: This iconic 1951 chanson was written by Hubert Giraud, with lyrics by Jean Drejac, for the film of the same name. A love letter to the City of Lights and "a warning to unsuspecting strangers to protect their hearts in The City of Love". First recorded by Jean Brettoniere. Edith Piaf's 1954 and Yves Montands 1964 renditions helped make the song synonymous with the French capital. English lyrics were added by Kim Gannon. Andy Williams' recording was perhaps the most popular version in the U.S. Song? Answer: "Under Paris Skies" ("Sous le Ciel de Paris"). Of course, I'm just a little biased towards Edith Piaf's version since I grew up listening to it on my dad's ol' Bogen hi-fi. That accordion is hypnotizing! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC06NyI6KKU&list=RDSC06NyI6KKU&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LACZU05vmbk&list=RDLACZU05vmbk&start_radio=1 https://www.yout...
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