What, it’s November already? Here’s Week 24 of our conversation, brought to you direct from the Computer Cave, at an undisclosed location so secret even Google can’t find it. Sometimes even I can’t.
Hope you got to enjoy some of the fall color late last week. There’s still some around, but it may have peaked. We were surprised at how beautiful a lot of the trees looked, given the record hot summer we had. It ‘s amazing how nature can adapt to changing conditions. But that’s enough change for now, thank you; we’re ready for some ‘average’ Kansas weather.
More Trivia winners on the way shortly. Thanks again for your response.
We are now in full-speed-ahead rehearsal mode for ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’, which will be presented Dec. 1st through the 4th at the Crest Theatre inGreat Bend. The show will be presented like a 1940s network radio show with old-timey mikes, ‘applause’ sign, actors in period costume and live sound effects—man, do we have sound effects! And you’ll get to see—and hear– them performed right in front of your amazed eyes and ears. Old time radio drama used a ton of sound effects, and the sound guy was probably the most valuable member of the acting troup, constantly in motion, sometimes doing two or three things at once. We have gathered sound effects devices from many different sources to produce the sounds called for in the script. I’ll tell you about some of them next week.
Here’s the newest additions to my 100 Favorite Songs of All Time List:
1. ‘What a Day for a Daydream’ by the Lovin’ Spoonful. What a great easy-going weekend sort of song, crafted by the talented John Sebastian. Sebastian is one of the few people in pop music who was saluted by name in a hit song by another major artist, in this case the Mamas and Papas, who gave him a neat line of praise in their song “Creeque Alley”, which is their autobiographical song about the ‘California sound’ scene in the mid 60s.
2. ‘The 1812 Overture’—by Tschaikovsky, performed by almost any orchestra. This is the piece of music that really got me interested in classical music 20 years ago. It’s all about the Russians battling for their life as Napoleon’s army attacked Moscow. This masterwork has it all: drama to the max, complete with cannon fire, church bells ringing, national anthems being played, maybe even a kitchen sink or two thrown in for good measure. The ‘1812’ really got me LISTENING to classical, instead of just hearing it as audio wallpaper.
3. ‘Smokin’ in the Boys Room’ by Brownsville Station. One of those ‘teen rebellion’ songs that have been around for fifty years, but this one had clever lyrics, good playin’ and a great dance beat. The 70s are still alive and well. Minus the leisure suits, of course.
4. ‘Wonderland by Night’—by Bert Kaempfert. Bert had a lot of hits in the 1960s and 70s, almost all of them instrumental. He was a German bandleader, songwriter and executive who developed a unique sound that was popular worldwide. ‘Wonderland’ was a great slow-dancin’ song with a beautiful trumpet lead. AND Bert was the first record executive to sign a talented foursome later known as (big fanfare) the Beatles to a record contract in Germany, but they didn’t hit it big and went back to England to be ‘re-discovered’ two years later.
5. ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’—by Jerry Lee Lewis. Mastered first at the legendary Sun studios inMemphis, this 1957 rocker sky-rocketed ‘the Killah’ right into the stratosphere. Because of Jerry’s crazed piano playing and on-stage antics, the fact that he was a very good singer was often overlooked back then. It’s good to see him still around and performing. He’s just about the sole survivor of the original Sun Records stars, which included Elvis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins.
Some good thinkin’ going on this week in TriviaLand. Michael Carlson got the Chevy engine question answered with ‘409’. (That’s “my four speed, dual-quad positraction 409,” just in case you weren’t familiar with it.) Great car song. Our friends at oller farm got it right, too, but a couple days later than Michael. Congrats, Trivia Lord Michael.
As for the downtown GB question, honors go to Vince, who correctly identified Waters True Value as the former occupant of the present-day Barton County Health Dept building at Kansas and Lakin. By the way, congratulations to Waters on their beautifully updated and expanded store.
New Questions!! In the music division, what popular 50s-60s group had a hit song (based on a true story) about a guy who couldn’t get off the subway train because he was short one nickel when he got on it. Name the group or the song, preferably both.
And here’s your new downtown division question: Where was Great Bend High School prior to the early 1950s?
Have a great first week of November.
John