Dream lover by Bobby Darlin is one famous rock n’ roll song. The song blends both more of rock n’ roll style and less of doo-wop style. As the song starts, “… .arpeggiated chord (C – E – G) . . .” is plucked by a double bass (Doowopdoowah 1). Bobby then toggles repeatedly between an A minor arpeggio (A – C – E) and C major arpeggio. This style has the nostalgic doo-wop chord progression “. . . (I – vi – IV -V) . . .” (Doowopdoowah 1). Drum set (2 and 4 having heavy beats) is heard as double bass is plucked. Call-response flourish between the piano and electric piano played during the recording. The history of doo-wop and rock n’ roll is complex (Doowopdoowah 1). Dream Lover is a great example of doo-wop style being overpowered by rock n’ roll style. Only romantic/ nostalgic lyrics and the (I – vi) progression in the verses of the song are doo-wop.
In “Song of the Wanderer” by Erskine Hawkins, the lead alto player, Bill Johnson soulfully paraphrases the melody in the first chorus and the saxophone section solid after vocal chorus of Mitchelle. In the arrangement, Johnson plays homage to the “. .style of the 1930s Jimmie Lunceford band. . .” (Claar 1). This can be noted by the way he uses the saxophone section. Furthermore, Johnson ringing alto sax sound is similar to Lunceford’s tone throughout the 1930s. Then lead trumpet is used as a pivot to bring about a tasty upward modulation immediately after the vocal. High-register trumpet interjections burnish the final chorus as the song ends and a gliss for a high-note ending. Walking bass of Lee Stanfield produces strong rhythmic pulse throughout the song.