Chapter 10 Listening Assignment
Listen to The Platters version of the song "Twilight Time" (the original was made by The Three Suns) and identify which instrument(s) do not appear in The Platters popular re-make of this 1940s classic.
*Check
Listen to the mid 1980s hit song "Take Me Home Tonight" by Eddie Money and identify which of the following Phil Spector produced records that you have already heard in today's listening as a counterpoint in the background?
Be My Baby
The song "Java Jive" is one of the earliest examples of recorded doo wop music (a style all about the vocals!) It is performed here by the Ink Spots who were popular through the 1930s and 1940s. However, in this song is the emphasis on the instruments and NOT the vocals? (True = Yes, False = No)
False
The song "Will You (Still) Love Me Tomorrow" by The Shirelles is the first "girl group" song (sometimes called bubblegum music) to reach the #1 spot on the pop charts. Even though this is classified as a girl group song, can male vocals be heard in parts of the song? (True = Yes, False = No)
False
Another example of early doo wop music is with the song "Crying in the Chapel" by the Orioles who were important to the development of doo wop in the 1940s and 1950s. The influence on this song, and doo wop style in general, has strong roots in which type of music?
Gospel Music
While listening to the song "Searchin'" by the Coasters, there is the introduction of a fuller rhythm section and a backbeat to the music, but, does the music give the impression of a fast driving rock song or a relaxed laid back feel?
Laid Back
The song "Lonely Avenue" was written for Ray Charles by songwriter Doc Pomus. Ray Charles was a legendary pianist and singer who pioneered the genre of soul music during the 1950s and many called him "the father of soul." Charles combined blues, gospel and jazz to create groundbreaking hits such as "Unchain My Heart," "Hit the Road Jack" and "Georgia on My Mind." As you listen to "Lonely Avenue" determine what category the song would best fit.
Slow Blues
The song "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes is a classic example of Phil Spector's wall of sound. Spector achieved this sound by using 4-5 of each instrument in the studio (5 guitars, 5 saxes, 5 percussionists, etc.) and a lot of echo to make his records sound bigger and fuller than everyone else when played on the 1960s jukeboxes, car radios and home record players. Remember that there was no surround sound, or even stereo then - mono was the only thing available! Interestingly, with this massive orchestration, Spector never let his drummers use cymbals (he felt they interrupted the sound)! In "Be My Baby," which of Spector's favorite instrument groups plays the solo?
Strings
In 1962 Phil Spector recorded a wall of sound interpretation of the Disney song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" that reached #8 on the pop charts. Compare the original Bing Crosby version (from 1946) to Spector's and identify what is the same between the two versions.
The lyrics
Doo wop is characterized by, and gets its name from, the syllables the backing singers use, i.e.: doo wop doo wah, sha na na na nah, etc... With this in mind, does the song "Only You" by The Platters fit this model? (True = Yes, False = No)
True
The song "Earth Angel" by The Penguins has been used in many movie and TV soundtracks because it captures a particular period of time through the music. Which of the following situations would best fit this song?
1950s high school prom
"Da Do Ron Ron" by The Crystals was the first song that put Phil Spector on the map as a serious producer with his wall of sound concept. Using a huge instrumentation (multiples of each instrument) he would run the song over and over doing 40+ takes until everything was exactly where he wanted it. The resulting product was a recording that he could shape into a masterpiece. One of the classic elements of the wall of sound is the presence of this frequently in the music.
A full bass sound with very few high sounds
"On Broadway" is a story song that was recorded by Ben E. King and The Drifters. The song was written by Lieber and Stoller who were producer/songwriters that paved the way for a new sound in the 1960s that Phil Spector would ultimately champion (Spector plays backing guitar on this song!) Identify the story in this song.
A guy who wants to be a star om Broadway
What special sound effect that became quite popular in 1950s/1960s recording is featured in the song "Breaking up is Hard to Do"?
Hand Claps
A wide variety of instruments are used in The Drifters song "Up On The Roof," but, which of the following instrument pairs is NOT heard in the song?
Harmonica and piano
The song "Honey Love" was banned from air play by many radio stations because it was considered too obscene. Many early rock 'n' roll songs met a similar fate because of the perceived references to sex in the lyrics. In "Honey Love" Clyde McPhatter sings "I need it," "I want it," "I'm gonna get it" and "I love it" how many times during the song? The variations that end with "honey love" should also be counted!
More than 20 times!
The first successful song that Phil Spector wrote, produced and recorded was "To Know Him is to Love Him" when he was only 18 years old. The song became a #1 hit for his group The Teddy Bears and the success boosted Spector's ego and confidence. The song's lyrics and title came from the epitaph on Spector's father's grave (Spector witnessed his father die) and was therefore a very emotional song for him. Spector does play the guitar on this recording, but does he play a guitar solo?
No
The song "River Deep, Mountain High" with Ike and Tina Turner is the work that Phil Spector claims as his greatest example of the wall of sound. The song was written especially for Tina Turner who Spector believed would carry the song to the top of the charts. Spector was not as big of a fan of Ike Turner and apparently paid him $20,000 to stay away from the studio while the recording sessions took place! How would we characterize Tina Turner's voice in this song?
Strong/powerful
