Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: The first hit (#14) for this iconic vocal trio came in 1961 with a Charles Danvers ballad (French lyrics by Pierre Buisson; English lyrics by Carl Sisman) first recorded by Italian songstress Caterina Valente. It also charted in '57 for Roger Williams and Percy Faith, in '68 for The Vogues (#27) and for Tom Jones in '71. The original lineup included sisters Barbara and Phyllis Allbut and lead singer Linda Jansen (nee Jankowsi). A classic ballad of unwavering devotion and romantic commitment. "My Boyfriend's Back" (#1 in '63) became their trademark tune. Group? First hit? Answer: "'Til" by The Angels. Beautiful tune! Hailing from New Jersey, they started out as The Starlets. I particularly like The Vogues' version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UANTeSvebug&list=RDUANTeSvebug&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow5fxukaako&list=RDOw5fxukaako&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 50s: A New Haven, Conn. vocal group composed and sang this classic 1957 R&B/doo-wop ballad as a follow-up to their massive hit "In the Still of the Night" from the previous year. It covers the entire history of a romance in two minutes and forty-one seconds! There's the meeting, the initial conversation, the falling in love, and the proposal. #5 R&B, #25 Billboard Hot 100. It features an alto sax and an oboe playing in harmony during the bridge and at the end, very unusal for those days. Fred Parris, their lead vocalist, was in Japan serving in the Army, so Bill Baker sang lead. Featured in the "American Graffiti" soundtrack (1973). Group? Song? Answer: "To the Aisle" by The Five Satins. Dang, they don't make 'em like that anymore! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqSNChmm-mY&list=RDoqSNChmm-mY&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, more 70s one hit wonders: An 18-year-old singer/songwriter from Colorado had just had a bad year. He broke up with his girfriend and his cherished old car broke up on his way to work in Denver. This inspired him to write his only charting solo hit, a soft-rock ballad which he released in 1979. #4 Billboard Hot 100, #1 Billboard Adult Contemporary for two weeks, #8 UK, RIAA Certified Gold. John Sebastian of The Spoonful plays the autoharp on the recording. It was covered by Dolly Parton, Conway Tweety, Bob Dylan and Tim McGraw, among others. He subsequently relocated to Nashville, where he became a Country songwriter for the likes of The Oak Ridge Boys, Alabama, Dolly, Chet Atkins, Charley Pride, Conway Twitty and Kenny Rogers. He left us in 2004 due to leukemia at age 48. A long-time sci-fi and space aficionado, his ashes were scattered in space during the 2007 and 2012 Celestis space flights. Artist? Song? Answer: "Just When I Needed You Most"...

This one is dedicated to the great Dolly Parton, whom we recently lost. OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil originally wrote this romantic 1977 ballad for Brenda Lee. When she decided not to record it, it made its way to Dolly Parton under the condition that it had to include pedal-steel and slide guitar. It became a classic country-pop hit for her, one of the very few she did not write herself. A woman tries to move on after a failed romance, only to fall back under his spell the moment he walks back into her life. #1 Country for 5 weeks, #3 Billboard Hot 100, Grammy-nominated. It became Dolly's first crossover hit, signaling her massive pop crossover during the 70s and the 80s. Covered by the late great B.J. Thomas, as well as by Katy Perry and Kacey Musgraves, among many others. The bridge is delightfully memorable in that incorporates an obligatory modulation which returns to a key 1/2 a step higher every time it is sung. Song? Answer: ...

This one is a suggestion from Judy, after she heard it on Sirius XM. OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: This Harlem=based vocal group started out as The Poets and then became The Insiders. They finally settled on their eventual name, which they took from a Coca Cola bottle. By far, their biggest hit was a 1972 Bailey/Clark/Williams R&B/soul classic. It was first offered to Charlie Pride but he passed on it, saying that it was "not country enough". It speaks about how love can cloud a man's mind and make him do foolish (hint, hint!) things. #3 Billboard Hot 100, #2 Billboard R&B, Grammy-nominated, RIAA Certified Gold. Lead vocals by Cuba Gooding Sr. after the death of their original frontman Donald McPherson due to leukemia. Aaron Neville covered it in 1991. Group? Song? Answer: "Everybody Plays the Fool" by The Main Ingredient. It was still extremely popular when I arrived in Philly in 1973 - certainly sounds like Philly Soul! Wo...

OK,boys and girls, back to the 90s: Singer/songwiter David Mallett penned and first recorded this 1975 "folk standard" which has become a hymn children's song. It celebrates the spiritual and physical rewards of working the land, practicing self-reliance and finding peace through connection to nature's cycles. He later adapted it to a children's picture book. It became a massive folk hit for Peter, Paul and Mary in 1993. Also covered by Pete Seeger, John Denver, Raffi, Arlo Guthrie and The Muppets. Song? Answer: "Garden Song" ("Inch by Inch") by Peter, Paul and Mary. Mallett's picture book "Inch by Inch - The Garden Song" was very well-received. He left us in 2024 at age 73. We had the privilege of seeing both Peter, Paul & Mary and John Denver perforn it live. It warms your heart! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZYY80Y3jNc&list=RDIZYY80Y3jNc&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRO2_S1rdSs&li...