Comments on: My Childhood Trinity, Part One http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2009/07/my-childhood-trinity-part-one/ Heronswood Voice - A web log written by George Ball Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:23:01 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Evelyn http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2009/07/my-childhood-trinity-part-one/#comment-21259 Evelyn Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:00:57 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=570#comment-21259 Although I did not "worship" Elvis, I did, as a teenager, enjoy his music. For me the Beatles came later, and I also enjoyed a lot of their music as well. I even bought 45's of Elvis' music, and do you remember the tune, "Don't"? I felt that was underrated, as it was on the "flip side" of one of his hits. I think that I enjoyed every one of his songs, even the lesser known ones, but especially since I was young and impressionable, the tune "Don't" stands out. I bet most people have not even heard of it. Another thing about Elvis is I think that his music helped the acceptance of rhythm&blues, all by the black folks, which became "rock&roll" and really brought about social change as well as change in how people listen to music, (and dance to it)! All I can say to him, is "Thank you!" And thanks to you for bringing back all of those adolescent memories. And before adolescence, I enjoyed gardening, and now I enjoy it even more. It was all those "lost" years in between. (I had a VERY long adolescence!) Evelyn Although I did not “worship” Elvis, I did, as a teenager, enjoy his music. For me the Beatles came later, and I also enjoyed a lot of their music as well.
I even bought 45’s of Elvis’ music, and do you remember the tune, “Don’t”? I felt that was underrated, as it was on the “flip side” of one of his hits. I think that I enjoyed every one of his songs, even the lesser known ones, but especially since I was young and impressionable, the tune “Don’t” stands out. I bet most people have not even heard of it.
Another thing about Elvis is I think that his music helped the acceptance of rhythm&blues, all by the black folks, which became “rock&roll” and really brought about social change as well as change in how people listen to music, (and dance to it)! All I can say to him, is “Thank you!” And thanks to you for bringing back all of those adolescent memories.
And before adolescence, I enjoyed gardening, and now I enjoy it even more. It was all those “lost” years in between. (I had a VERY long adolescence!)

Evelyn

]]> By: Marshall Smyth http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2009/07/my-childhood-trinity-part-one/#comment-21256 Marshall Smyth Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:11:45 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=570#comment-21256 Yes George, I very much enjoy Bread's music. Their album came out just when our FFA teams were on the bus going to Cal Poly for a meet. It was kind of romantic. Marvin Gaye's music was playing too. We picked up different cool radio stations, and music made the memories that are still here. Blue Moon> Nemophilas! Our wild local Nemophilas are probably yours, but unselected versions. Might get an excellent Blue Moon F2 mix by cfrossing them with Pennie Black. I've never crossed a Hydrophylaceae, but it looks straight forward. You want to try it using your nicely selected version, and I'll do it with the wild ones that look so similar when they bloom next May? The Kentucky Road Cuke cross of Lemon would be with a stressed Tiffany F1, might need to backcross, might not want to. ...now to read your new blog... Yes George, I very much enjoy Bread’s music. Their album came out just when our FFA teams were on the bus going to Cal Poly for a meet. It was kind of romantic. Marvin Gaye’s music was playing too. We picked up different cool radio stations, and music made the memories that are still here. Blue Moon> Nemophilas! Our wild local Nemophilas are probably yours, but unselected versions. Might get an excellent Blue Moon F2 mix by cfrossing them with Pennie Black. I’ve never crossed a Hydrophylaceae, but it looks straight forward. You want to try it using your nicely selected version, and I’ll do it with the wild ones that look so similar when they bloom next May? The Kentucky Road Cuke cross of Lemon would be with a stressed Tiffany F1, might need to backcross, might not want to. …now to read your new blog…

]]> By: Ann Terrill Garlick http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2009/07/my-childhood-trinity-part-one/#comment-21155 Ann Terrill Garlick Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:44:04 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=570#comment-21155 OK- I was abrupt about Elvis. But my first husband was a bandleader of a small outfit in Los Angeles until WWII took most of the players. He idolized the Hot Club of France. My choices were strictly Big Band. I loved Stan Kenton before he embarked on his frenetic cycle. Dorsey Bros, Miller, etc., were all big. I recall dancing something called the Two O'Clock Jump, I think it was at the Glendale Civic one night while Kenton's group gave it all it had. That was the last time Bob would dance. He would attend any good dance - as a listener, strictly. I didn't like Elvis' wiggles and Chubby Checker helped me put my back out. Bob went into the radio and broadcast industry for some years, and when we parted he left me with a fairly good library of all the best stuff of those years, including Bing Crosby cuttings. But I never did care for Crosby, except for two items - Rum and Coca Cola and White Christmas. The Andrews Sisters were precise, excellent performers who kept going for many years. Cheers, Ann Garlick OK- I was abrupt about Elvis. But my first husband was a bandleader of a small outfit in Los Angeles until WWII took most of the players. He idolized the Hot Club of France. My choices were strictly Big Band. I loved Stan Kenton before he embarked on his frenetic cycle. Dorsey Bros, Miller, etc., were all big. I recall dancing something called the Two O’Clock Jump, I think it was at the Glendale Civic one night while Kenton’s group gave it all it had. That was the last time Bob would dance. He would attend any good dance – as a listener, strictly. I didn’t like Elvis’ wiggles and Chubby Checker helped me put my back out. Bob went into the radio and broadcast industry for some years, and when we parted he left me with a fairly good library of all the best stuff of those years, including Bing Crosby cuttings. But I never did care for Crosby, except for two items – Rum and Coca Cola and White Christmas. The Andrews Sisters were precise, excellent performers who kept going for many years. Cheers, Ann Garlick

]]> By: George http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2009/07/my-childhood-trinity-part-one/#comment-21211 George Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:59:38 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=570#comment-21211 Louise – Don't apologize—to each his own. First, I said "his music composing consisted of only a few songs. . ." That would be considered less than the "about 9" you mentioned. Right? Second, I just don't agree that the Beatles were better or even as great. John Lennon became a somewhat pathetic person in just a few years. I agree he was extremely talented, but what a bummer. Plus, he wouldn't stop with the dreadful songs, such as "Imagine", "Mind Games", "Instant Karma", "Jealous Guy". Paul was brilliant, but he wears quite thinly compared to Elvis. Check it out. Regarding guitarists, Keith Richards and George Harrison would require "cherry pickers" just to clear Scotty Moore's ankle socks. But it's interesting that you bring this up. Elvis was one of the first to let his lead guitar players step forward. His practice popularized the "guitar solo" and gave rise to the hundreds of players of the following decade. He preceded the Beatles by over 5 years. I got personal with the Beatles' appearance, so you can trash Elvis' waistline. He also used drugs, indeed, as did "the nation". That was what I meant to say. Yes, I'm a bit isolationist. But I don't think I'm excessively so. And the British bands did, in fact, look more alike than US bands did. Our bands were more diverse than the Brits. The US has a greater diversity of regions. In contrast, they were from the same types of gangs. The Mods: piped pants, Italian boots with stacked heels, short jackets and bobbed hair. What did I miss? If some were a bit shaggier than others, that's a matter of degree, not kind. I'm truly sorry you don't like the newsletter. In the summer I go a little off track. Soon enough I'll be discussing and picturing the gardens in great and interesting detail, like last year. This is just a blog! I try to be light-hearted and interesting. Please pay no mind. Thanks. Louise – Don’t apologize—to each his own. First, I said “his music composing consisted of only a few songs. . .” That would be considered less than the “about 9″ you mentioned. Right? Second, I just don’t agree that the Beatles were better or even as great. John Lennon became a somewhat pathetic person in just a few years. I agree he was extremely talented, but what a bummer. Plus, he wouldn’t stop with the dreadful songs, such as “Imagine”, “Mind Games”, “Instant Karma”, “Jealous Guy”. Paul was brilliant, but he wears quite thinly compared to Elvis. Check it out.

Regarding guitarists, Keith Richards and George Harrison would require “cherry pickers” just to clear Scotty Moore’s ankle socks. But it’s interesting that you bring this up. Elvis was one of the first to let his lead guitar players step forward. His practice popularized the “guitar solo” and gave rise to the hundreds of players of the following decade. He preceded the Beatles by over 5 years.

I got personal with the Beatles’ appearance, so you can trash Elvis’ waistline. He also used drugs, indeed, as did “the nation”. That was what I meant to say.

Yes, I’m a bit isolationist. But I don’t think I’m excessively so. And the British bands did, in fact, look more alike than US bands did. Our bands were more diverse than the Brits. The US has a greater diversity of regions. In contrast, they were from the same types of gangs. The Mods: piped pants, Italian boots with stacked heels, short jackets and bobbed hair. What did I miss? If some were a bit shaggier than others, that’s a matter of degree, not kind.

I’m truly sorry you don’t like the newsletter. In the summer I go a little off track. Soon enough I’ll be discussing and picturing the gardens in great and interesting detail, like last year. This is just a blog! I try to be light-hearted and interesting. Please pay no mind. Thanks.

]]> By: Louise http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2009/07/my-childhood-trinity-part-one/#comment-21151 Louise Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:58:36 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=570#comment-21151 Sorry but I seriously disagree with your adoration of Elvis. He was not a songwriter. Over his entire career he wrote about 9 songs. The Beatles were genius songwriters with hundreds of ORIGINAL hits covered by thousands of artists! His guitar work was mediocre compared to George Harrison or Keith Richards and his acting was just laughable. Elvis was a song stylist using the melodies and lyrics of others and a great back-up band. "He could have conquered the world with his Caesar-like genius." I saw no genius in Elvis just an over-inflated ego and waistline. "No wonder the nation turned to drugs." Elvis was a drug addict whose addiction eventually killed him! Your theory that Elvis would have prevented the British invasion is strange and isolationist. "The boy ensembles were like musical death squads. Strangely, too, they all looked alike, as if taking a page from British military dress." Really? The Stones looked like the Beatles? Perhaps you weren't interested enough to notice their vast differences. This is not the gardening newsletter I was looking for... Sorry but I seriously disagree with your adoration of Elvis. He was not a songwriter. Over his entire career he wrote about 9 songs. The Beatles were genius songwriters with hundreds of ORIGINAL hits covered by thousands of artists! His guitar work was mediocre compared to George Harrison or Keith Richards and his acting was just laughable. Elvis was a song stylist using the melodies and lyrics of others and a great back-up band. “He could have conquered the world with his Caesar-like genius.” I saw no genius in Elvis just an over-inflated ego and waistline. “No wonder the nation turned to drugs.” Elvis was a drug addict whose addiction eventually killed him!

Your theory that Elvis would have prevented the British invasion is strange and isolationist. “The boy ensembles were like musical death squads. Strangely, too, they all looked alike, as if taking a page from British military dress.” Really? The Stones looked like the Beatles? Perhaps you weren’t interested enough to notice their vast differences.

This is not the gardening newsletter I was looking for…

]]> By: George http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2009/07/my-childhood-trinity-part-one/#comment-21210 George Sun, 02 Aug 2009 05:17:24 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=570#comment-21210 Marshall – I'm going to put "Kentucky Road" in the "new names for vegetables" bin. Not sure we have the right cucumber, but we'll try to think of something. Thanks for the excellent suggestion. How about "Blue Moon"? Do you like that also? By the way: did you also like "Bread"? They were a great favorite in my late teens. Marshall – I’m going to put “Kentucky Road” in the “new names for vegetables” bin. Not sure we have the right cucumber, but we’ll try to think of something. Thanks for the excellent suggestion. How about “Blue Moon”? Do you like that also?

By the way: did you also like “Bread”? They were a great favorite in my late teens.

]]> By: Marshall Smyth http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2009/07/my-childhood-trinity-part-one/#comment-21107 Marshall Smyth Sun, 02 Aug 2009 05:15:16 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=570#comment-21107 Sorry, some more. About your PS post to Mark. Annete Funicello's movies brought 100% pure joy. They always will. Many of the tunes from the early '60's are beautiful, and there is at least one good Sinatra tune, when he did it his way. I'm just not so sure it's about all the big social contexts. The music comes from the writer's mind, then is interpreted. Oobie doobie is just fun. The Association mind expanding. Cherish, that's it, that's what it's about. It was great being in fifth grade when the cool kid, whose last name was Seger, told me the Animals were better than the Beatles, and a few years later a tune called Riders on the Storm was played on the radio in the bus on the way to school. Who could hum that one? In later years, these days, I like the Ballads. Elvis' or Herman's. Someone asked Paul McCartney what music he liked to listen to. Good music he said. Me too. Leave the social implications for the cool kids to know. Sorry, some more. About your PS post to Mark. Annete Funicello’s movies brought 100% pure joy. They always will. Many of the tunes from the early ’60’s are beautiful, and there is at least one good Sinatra tune, when he did it his way. I’m just not so sure it’s about all the big social contexts. The music comes from the writer’s mind, then is interpreted. Oobie doobie is just fun. The Association mind expanding. Cherish, that’s it, that’s what it’s about. It was great being in fifth grade when the cool kid, whose last name was Seger, told me the Animals were better than the Beatles, and a few years later a tune called Riders on the Storm was played on the radio in the bus on the way to school. Who could hum that one? In later years, these days, I like the Ballads. Elvis’ or Herman’s. Someone asked Paul McCartney what music he liked to listen to. Good music he said. Me too. Leave the social implications for the cool kids to know.

]]> By: Marshall Smyth http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2009/07/my-childhood-trinity-part-one/#comment-21105 Marshall Smyth Sun, 02 Aug 2009 04:39:32 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=570#comment-21105 "Kentucky Road" Play it again and again as I play in my gardens all day long. I'll be happy. Gardening and tunes. Cool as a Lemon Cucumber, so fresh it says ouch when you bite into it. I'm going to cross one with a fancy greenhouse cuke next year and select for a vigorous vining greenhouse cuke. How about I call them "Kentucky Road" Cucumbers? “Kentucky Road” Play it again and again as I play in my gardens all day long. I’ll be happy. Gardening and tunes. Cool as a Lemon Cucumber, so fresh it says ouch when you bite into it. I’m going to cross one with a fancy greenhouse cuke next year and select for a vigorous vining greenhouse cuke. How about I call them “Kentucky Road” Cucumbers?

]]> By: George http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2009/07/my-childhood-trinity-part-one/#comment-21209 George Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:46:14 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=570#comment-21209 Val – You're most welcome. Thanks for posting. Val – You’re most welcome. Thanks for posting.

]]> By: Val http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2009/07/my-childhood-trinity-part-one/#comment-21080 Val Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:45:21 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=570#comment-21080 I just enjoyed your writing, and the memories that Elvis left behind for us all who was there in his time. Thank You! I just enjoyed your writing, and the memories that Elvis left behind for us all who was there in his time. Thank You!

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