Exciting News!
Little Falls Village Members Gain FREE Access
to Online OLLI Classes this February and Spring
Registration Now Open:
MEMBERS ONLY
This February and Spring, members of Little Falls Village have FREE access to any, or all, select Zoom courses and study groups. This special no-cost opportunity is available because of a new pilot partnership between our Village and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at American University.
Village Members will have access to two sessions: “February Shorts” Courses and Spring Semester Study Groups. Registration for both sessions is now open. Continue reading for Zoom course descriptions and information on registering through Little Falls Village.
510: Cover Me: Tales of Songwriters and Their Songs
LARRY GONDELMAN
Eight Tuesdays beginning March 8 (11:45 AM - 1:15 PM)
“Respect” by Aretha Franklin was just crowned the number one song in the updated Rolling Stone list of 100 greatest songs. However, the Queen of Soul’s take on the song was a “cover” of the original which was written and performed by Otis Redding. As great as Otis’ performance is, Aretha’s became the definitive version. In this class, we will learn the stories of the songwriters who write songs that others perform and how the cover songs took on lives of their own. We’ll start by listening to cover songs by two of the greatest cover bands that ever existed—The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, bands that got their start by playing songs written by Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Robert Johnson, and others. Then there are the stories of the professional songwriters behind hits such as “Hound Dog,” “Stand by Me,” and “(You’ve Lost That) Lovin’ Feeling.” Some professional songwriters went on to become performers in their own right so we’ll learn the stories of Carole King, Randy Newman, Jimmy Webb, and Laura Nyro. We’ll then venture onto which version of a song is better, listening to songs by bands and performers that hit the big time mostly on the backs of their covers. Other classes will focus on some of the most covered songs of all time as well as traditional and classical songs that became modern day hits. The course will finish with a survey of songs written for movies, TV, and the theater that entered the pop mainstream, as well as songs that are used for commercials.
Class Format: Appreciation
Reading: No required reading.
Larry Gondelman, a former trial attorney, has loved rock ‘n roll his entire life. His first concert was The Beatles, who he also got to meet. He is (or at least was before the pandemic) a prolific concert-goer. Larry has previously led the study groups A History of Rock ‘n Roll, Iconic Albums—1960 to 2000, and Songs of Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n Roll at OLLI at AU.