Ga ga ooh lala And so on . . .


It’s a new decade. Fifty years ago the Sixties rocked in; that year Grandpa gave me my first transistor radio, a little white plastic unit through whose one tiny tinny earpiece came the thrilling sounds of the AM radio stations I had recently discovered — WABC and WINS, with songs like  "Greenfields," and "Tell Laura I Love Her," along with the Everly Brothers’ "Cathy’s Clown," and the new dance hit, "The Twist."

I also loved the novelty songs of that year: "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini," "Alley Oop" and "Mr. Custer." I dragged my mom to Alexander’s in White Plains (my turn to shop there for a change) and bought them all.

Who would have thought that in 2010 kids would still walk around listening to little white plastic units? Only now there are two earpieces! Plus a few other improvements. And while Billboard still ranks the top songs, now there are umpteen different classifications ranging from Pop and Country to HipHop, Tropical and, of course, Ringtones. About the lyrics for this week’s hit song "Bad Romance," the less said the better. I do like the "Ga ga ooh la la" part, but keep wanting to add "Ting tang walla walla bing bang." (Trivia note: the 1958 song "Witch Doctor" was written by Ross Bagdasarian Sr., aka David Seville, who sped up his voice and rereleased it in1960, this time under the name of Alvin and the Chipmunks. This will be important information if you ever get that call from "Jeopardy" or Michael Feldman.)

Well, welcome to 2010.

But not on Grandpa’s radio: 21st-century experimental music at Williams College’s I/O New Music BOX, a three-day, four-concert extravaganza by living composers from around the world. The festival opens Thurs. Jan. 7 at 10 p.m. with After Hours: Young Americans, featuring the Iota Ensemble performing a late-night concert of work by seven composers working in New York and New England, such as Missy Mazzoli, Timo Andres, and Sarah Kirkland Snider, as well as Williams seniors/music majors Brian Simalchik and Alex Creighton who are the event’s directors. All concerts are free, but some require tickets (413-597-2425). For information, go to music.williams.edu/node/1058.

Although I am not a big fan of "American Idol,"  Elliott Yamin, who got to third place in Season Five, has an impressive voice and a big following (12 million plus hits on YouTube).  So his appearance at Infinity Hall in Norfolk, Saturday, Jan. 9, at 8 p.m., is sure to draw a crowd. Tickets are $45 to $65.  

Thursday, Jan. 14, brings the Brooklyn group called The Wiyos, whose rural and urban roots music has a fresh sound and has captivated fans here and across Europe and the United Kingdom. Showtime is 8 p.m. and tickets are $20 and $30.

And on Sunday, Jan. 17, at 3 p.m., the current edition of the Yale Whiffenpoofs will waft in with their classic a cappella tunes. $23, $35. Reservations and information on all these events are availabe at infinityhall.com or at 866-666-6306.

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