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(above) ZOOM season 4 (1974-1975) cast, left to right – Norman Christian, Carmen Hernandez, Andrae Neilsan, Tracey Dunlap, Tommy Schultz, Harvey Reed, Tishy Flaherty, Cate Wadsworth, David “Red” O’Brien, David Sales
Howdy folks! Today I published the following page (link fixed 9/23/2020):
While I’ve struggled to find songwriter credits for some of the original songs included in the page, it’s likely that Newton Wayland, musical director and composer for the original series (1971-1978), at least composed the music for them. However, some of the originals performed in the series were co-written by him and another songwriter, so I’m going to omit lyricist credits for songs where I’m uncertain for now.
Musical staging is by Billy Wilson. See the touching tribute article at The AIDS Memorial, Facebook, published August 14, 2018.
Recordings of some of the songs featured in the new page are also found on the 1977 album ZOOM Tunes, Rounder Records 8005. Despite it’s 1977 release (1978, according to some sites) the “ZOOMers” listed on the back of the album are primarily cast members from season 4 (1974-75). The album also includes at least a couple of songs that were used in production numbers in season 5 (1976).
included in the page:
- Come On and ZOOM (Newton Wayland)
- I Dig Rock and Roll Music (Paul Stookey, James Mason, and Dave Dixon)
- Friends (Buzzy Linhart, Mark “Moogy” Klingman)
- Little Red Riding Hood
- The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) (Paul Simon)
- Send it to Zoom #3 – at least partly written by Newton Wayland; actual title unknown
- SASE song – at least partly written by Newton Wayland; actual title unknown
- Closing: Friends / Come On and Zoom (abbreviated versions)
- City Child (Newton Wayland*) – links only
- Blue Balloon (Newton Wayland, Christine Stark*) – with lyric transcription
- Zoomba
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I Dig Rock and Roll Music (Paul Stookey, James Mason, and Dave Dixon) — performed by ZOOM season 4 cast members: David Sales, Tishy Flaherty, Carmen Hernandez, Cate Wadsworth, Andrae Neilsan, Harvey Reed, Tracey Dunlap, and Tommy Schultz
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* The back of the 1977 ZOOM Tunes album indicates that “[a]ll original tunes and arrangements” are by Newton Wayland, Musical Director of ZOOM. However, some of the original songs are “based on poems” by various children, probably ZOOM fans who sent their poems to the show. The words to “Blue Balloon” are based on a poem by Christine Stark, age 10, of Middle Village, NY. “City Child” is based on poems by three different children, ages 8-10.
