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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who claims that "every great artist must create for a great audience"?
(a) Randy Newman.
(b) Bob Christgau.
(c) Greil Marcus.
(d) The Beatles.

2. What controversial topics are addressed in Randy Newman's song "Sail Away"?
(a) Power and politics.
(b) Slavery and the American dream.
(c) Money and race.
(d) Art and realism.

3. Who wrote "There's a mickie in the tastin' of disaster" (90)?
(a) Frank Kermode.
(b) Greil Marcus.
(c) Sly Stone.
(d) Leslie Fiedler.

4. Why did people riot at Sly Stone concerts in the 70s?
(a) Sly showed up late or not at all.
(b) Sly sold out.
(c) The police showed up and made racial slurs.
(d) His music provoked angry emotions.

5. Who does Marcus quote to introduce the chapter "Randy Newman"?
(a) Randy Newman.
(b) Sly Stone.
(c) Robert Johnson.
(d) Raymond Chandler.

6. At the time Riot was made, who was making the decisions about what kind of records would be created?
(a) Musicians.
(b) Managers.
(c) Artists.
(d) Producers.

7. What was on the cover of Riot?
(a) An American flag with flowers for stars.
(b) Sly wearing a zoot suit.
(c) A gun.
(d) Water.

8. What song by Randy Newman was a satire on bigotry?
(a) "Davy the Fat Boy."
(b) "Short People."
(c) "God's Song."
(d) "Suzanne."

9. In "Elvis," Marcus compares Elvis to what character envisioned by Ralph Waldo Emerson?
(a) The elusive King of Soul.
(b) The ubiquitous King.
(c) The King of Rock 'n' Roll.
(d) The transcendental Sun King.

10. In "Elvis," what song does Marcus use to illustrate the work Elvis puts into his music?
(a) "Hound Dog."
(b) "Boy Who Stole the Blues."
(c) "Good Rockin."
(d) "Milkcow Blues Boogie."

11. What archetype does Newman represent?
(a) Journeyman.
(b) Doomed lover.
(c) Keeper of American imagination.
(d) The American philosopher.

12. What type of audience does Marcus believe Randy Newman attracts?
(a) Retro.
(b) Punk.
(c) Cult.
(d) Pop.

13. What did RCA first present Elvis as?
(a) A hillbilly.
(b) The boy next door.
(c) A country singer.
(d) A folksinger.

14. What does Marcus point out as valuable in the Beach Boys music?
(a) It is poetic.
(b) It is truthful.
(c) It reflects everyday people.
(d) It criticizes mainstream society.

15. What does Sly shout back at the band in "Africa Talks to You 'the Asphalt Jungle'"?
(a) "Stop."
(b) "Timber."
(c) "I'm a dying."
(d) "Help."

Short Answer Questions

1. Curtis Mayfield's songs in Superfly were meant to be what according to Marcus?

2. Who wrote "Papa Was a Rolling Stone?'

3. Whom did Bob Dylan claim was "America's greatest poet"?

4. In the introduction to "Elvis," Marcus claims that Elvis epitomizes what?

5. The Riot album reveals what image that Sly had for himself?

(see the answer keys)

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