This is a book title, not a piece of music. Not new either; this book has been around for many years.

It is Andre Previn's memoirs, devoted to his years in Hollywood. There is also a little about his education, his father the musician, and some things outside of the movie business. But most of it is about the movies. And when it is funny, it is squeal-out-loud funny. He tells some hilarious anecdotes.

There is a thread elsewhere about the snows of yesteryear, and that is what reminded me of "No Minor Chords." See, there is this one story:

Young Andre Previn with Betty Comden and Adolph Green managed to get a private audience, as it were, on one occasion, with L. B. Mayer when the latter was at his career zenith: a big deal. They had written a song or two and wanted to interest Mr. Mayer in said songs. So they performed for him while he sat there.

In the silence following the end of the last song, Mayer said forbiddingly:

"Where are the songs of yesteryear?"

Mayer did not reckon with Adolph Green, who liked a challenge, and was still pumped up from singing probably. So Green went into manic mode and retorted:

"I DON'T KNOW, I don't know, where did we put them? Betty! Where DID we put those songs of yesteryear?!"   

Betty Comden and Andre Previn hustled Adolph Green out of Mayer's office, with Betty muttering, "Oh, God, Adolph, one step too far..."
and according to Previn, the whole thing blew over without further incident.

And if you think THAT'S a stitch, check out the story behind the title "No Minor Chords" -- or do you already know that one?