Chapter 4 Listening Assignment

"Tutti Frutti" was the first big rock 'n' roll hit for Little Richard and carries many traits of his exciting upbeat music and introduced his famous gospel "whoooooo" vocal effect. "Tutti Frutti" was also originally a racy saloon style boogie woogie song that Little Richard performed with his band the Upsetters. The original chorus began with "tutti frutti, good booty" and went downhill from there! Obviously, the lyrics were cleaned up for the recording we know today. In this version of "Tutti Frutti" how many times does Little Richard sing a complete chorus ending in "A Wop-bop-a-loo-bop a wop-bam-boom" before the saxophone solo begins?

3

Little Richard is famous for his signature high pitched "whoooooo" vocal effect in many of his songs (a technique he acquired from gospel singing). This effect is sung rather than yelled, or screamed, which is something else Little Richard would do from time to time to add energy to his songs going into an instrumental solo. Of the four songs you have listened to ("Tutti Frutti," "Lucille," "True Fine Mama" and "Good Golly Miss Molly"), how many used the "whoooooo" technique?

3

Little Richard was an important pioneer and innovator of early rock 'n' roll, but he also paid tribute to those who influenced him. Listen to "Good Golly Miss Molly" and identify which song he is paying tribute to with the borrowed piano introduction.

Caldonia

Chuck Berry's signature guitar licks (sometimes called a hook) are one of the most defining features of his rock 'n' roll style. You can hear the famous "Johnny B. Goode" guitar lick at the very beginning of the song before the vocals come in but, in this particular recording, does he ever play the lick again? (Yes = True and No = False)

False

Little Richard's hit "Lucille" was released at a time when his music was hot on the R&B charts and he sold over 32 million records by 1957! What is the general storyline for the song "Lucille?"

Little Richard trying to win back his ex-girlfriend

Which of the following statements best describes the storyline you heard in Chuck Berry's "Maybelline?"

Maybelline tells the story of a car chase where Chuck catches his girlfriend cheating

"Maybelline" is the first song that Chuck Berry recorded at Chess in Chicago where he added the influence of R&B to his very country sounding songs. It was actually Willie Dixon who convinced Berry that he wouldn't make it onto the charts as a black country singer and the R&B influence would give his songs the right influence and flair of the new rock 'n' roll style. As you listen to this fast paced song, identify which lyric goes to each verse.

Nothin' will outrun my V-8 Ford - Verse 1 Me and that Cadillac neck by neck - Verse 2 The Ford got hot and wouldn't do no more - Verse 3 A hundred and ten a half a mile ahead - Verse 4

"You Never Can Tell" has a rock 'n' roll mixed with honky tonk type of feel and was featured in the cult 1990s film "Pulp Fiction" bringing Chuck Berry's music into popularity with a new generation. In "You Never Can Tell" what instrument plays the solo?

Piano

The song "Caldonia" is a jump blues, which means it is a rhythm and blues (Chicago style blues) song with an upbeat (quick) shuffle rhythm. This recording includes a brass (trumpet and trombone) and saxophone section with the band that interjects phrases to accent various parts of the song. In the chorus the singer, Louis Jordan, sings "...Caldonia! ...Caldonia! ...What makes your big head so hard?" From the following options, determine what the band does to interject an accent following each statement of "Caldonia" and at the end of the phrase.

Plays short loud accent

"My Ding-a-Ling" was the only song that made it to #1 on the Billboard charts for Chuck Berry. It's great that he finally had a hit make it to the #1 spot but unfortunate that after writing so many of rock 'n' roll's pioneering songs, it's this song based on sexual innuendo that tops the charts! As you listen to the song "My Ding-a-Ling" who does he dedicate one of the verses to?

Those who could not sing

When Bill Haley (and his Comets) released their version of "Shake, Rattle and Roll" a few months after Big Joe Turner, the lyrics were cleaned up significantly to make the song suitable for general airplay. Listen to Bill Haley's version of "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and match his "cleaned up" lines correctly.

Well, roll my breakfast - cause I'm a hungry man Get out in that kitchen - and rattle those pots and pans Wearin' those dresses - your hair done up so nice You look so warm - but your heart is cold as ice I can look at you - tell you don't love me no more I believe you are doing me wrong - and now I know

"Rocket 88" is considered by the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame to be the first rock 'n' roll song. It contains the classic elements of 1950s rock combining a country style story in the lyrics, use of the blues form, the boogie woogie bass line, a solo in the middle of the song and commercial interest. Identify where the following elements take place in this version of "Rocket 88."

You women have heard of jalopies - Verse 1 Distorted guitar and piano boogie woogie feel with no vocals - After 2nd verse Step in my rocket and don't be late - Verse 3 V-8 motor and this modern design - Verse 2 Saxophone solo - After 2nd verse Saxophone and piano interlude - Introduction