Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, boys and girls, back to the 80s: It was 1982 and Billy Joel had a brief romance with supermodel Elle Macpherson. She inspired him to write a 1983/84 doo-wop classic. The chorus is based on Beethoven's "Pathétique Sonata (Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor)". Even though it is public domain, he credits "L. v. Beethoven" as co-composer. Killer sax work by Mark Rivera, whose father was Puerto Rican (man, those P.R.s are everywhere!). Song? Answer: "This Night" by Billy Joel. I had just about completely forgotten about this little gem until I heard it again as part of the score for the 2002 musical "Movin' Out", featuring Billy's music and choreographed by the magnificent Twyla Tharp. It has since become one of my favorite Billy Joel tunes. It takes true musical genius to convert the 2nd movement of Beethoven's Pathétique Piano Sonata into doo-wop but, doggone it, the pulls it off! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR28C4__TXQ

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: This L.A. born and based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist had two major hits as a solo artist - "Lonely Boy" in 1976 and "Thank You for Being a Friend" in 1978. He also arranged and played the famous guitar solo on Linda Ronstadt's 1974 "You're No Good". Beatle-esque and melodic, featuring signature pre-bends. Artist? Answer: Andrew Gold. Sadly, he left us in 2011 at age 59. He also arranged most of Art Garfunkel's solo work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0vJNp5asqc&list=RDe0vJNp5asqc&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boAv-Bu4MrI&list=RDboAv-Bu4MrI&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voNEgCKzves&list=RDvoNEgCKzves&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: The late great Stephen Sondheim penned this nostalgic ballad for the second act of his 1973 "A Little Night Music". The hit musical was inspired by the 1955 Ingmar Bergman film "Smiles of a Summer Night". He wrote it specifically for Glynis Johns, who played Desirée Armfeldt in the original Broadway production. It reflects upon missed opportunities, disappointments and life's ironies. The title comes from a theatrical metaphor for when something goes wrong on the stage. Sinatra's 1973 recording made it Sondheim's most popular composition. Judy Collins' 1975 rendition became a mainstream hit, winning the Grammy for Song of the Year. Major hit for Barbra Streisand in 1985. Ballad? Answer: "Send in the Clowns". In live theater or the circus, if a performance falls apart, the directors or ringmasters send in clowns to distract the audience and cover up the disaster. Metaphorically, however, asking...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 30s: "America's semi-official music for mourning" was composed by this West Chester, PA native in 1936. It is an orchestral string arrangement of the 2nd movement of his String Quartet, Op. 11 and represents the composer's best-known work. A graduate of The Curtis Institute of Music in Philly, he is recognized as one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century. The piece has earned a permanent place in today's orchestral concert repertoire. In 1936, the U.S. was still hurting from The Great Depression and Europe was headed for war, which partially explains it being "full of pathos and cathartic passion" and the fact that it "rarely leaves a dry eye". First played and recorded in 1938 by The NBC Symphony Orcestra under the baton of Maestro Arturo Toscanini. It is one of the very few American compositions played in the USSR during the Cold War. Billy Joel is quoted as saying that this piece made hi...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This South African folk-rock quintet (hint, hint!) formed in 1964 and was the country's first group to sport "long hair". Their only U.S. charting hit was a 1968 David Marks (not to be confused with the original Beach Boys' rhythm guitarist) composition which peaked at #18 Billboard Hot 100, #3 Adult Contemporary and #10 Cash Box. "Officially" it is about a miner who leaves his foreman to strike out on his own and live life on his own terms. The popular belief, however, is that it was written in protest of B.J. (John) Vorster, South African Prime Minister at the height of the apartheid regime. We'll never know. Covered by Trini Lopez that same year. The band was alluded to in "This is Spinal Tap". Group? Only U.S. hit? Answer: "Master Jack" by Four Jacks and a Jill. I had not heard that song in decades until a few days ago when we were driving back from Des Moines and they played it on t...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: Of The Beatles and The Byrds, which band had more cover songs on their first 5 albums (I'm counting the UK releases for the Beatles)? Answer: (Trick question - sorry, couldn't help myself!) It's a tie - 20 each.