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Mason Williams — Classical Gas
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Dav3thedog
(Canberra)
Posted: May 23, 2013 - 00:21
 
So nice to hear the original instead of Tommy Emmanual...
merkin_muffley
(Down the rabbit hole.....)
Posted: May 23, 2013 - 00:20
 
This had to be for TV series about a maverick cop out for justice?

Superb.

kaviksdad
(Mission Control...)
Posted: May 06, 2013 - 07:51
 
 gillespp wrote:
Back in the day there was nothing like this.

 

Agreed

ferwoman
Posted: Apr 21, 2013 - 18:57
 
  ferwoman wrote:
When I saw this on the Smothers Brothers Show in the early 70's, I was mesmerized by the combination of sounds and sights (each painting from the Louvre flashed by during the song's playing, some of it quite fast). When it finished, all I could say was, "Wow! I want to see that again!" So much fun.
  
  kurtster wrote:

I was just thinking the same thing and wanted to post the same thought.

{#Whisper}  But it was the late 60's, not the 70's.

 
kurster, you are RIGHT AS RAIN! It was late 60's.

I just looked at a playlist of episodes and was amazed at the stars they had on that show.

From Wikipedia (and confirmed on http://smothersbrothers.com/episodes.htm):

George Harrison,
Joan Baez,
Buffalo Springfield,
Cass Elliot,
Harry Belafonte,
Cream,
Donovan,
The Doors,
Janis Ian,
Yank Barry,
Jefferson Airplane,
Peter, Paul and Mary,
Spanky and Our Gang,
Steppenwolf,
The Who,
Simon and Garfunkel,
Ray Charles,
The Hello People and even
Pete Seeger were showcased during the latter years of the show despite the advertiser-sensitive nature of their music.

Nillagirl
(Baltimore/DC Metro)
Posted: Mar 21, 2013 - 05:30
 
Well, I was going to post about how this brought back great childhood memories as one of my parents favorite recordings, as it was blasted thru the house quite often. Then just glancing thru the comments quickly, I am obviously not alone in the "childhood memory" department! Great stuff! {#Tongue} Thanks, RP!  

mikec09
(Saugerties, NY - a top 10 coolest small town in America)
Posted: Mar 21, 2013 - 05:29
 
Reading the reactions below . . . I'm more on the "this is great music" side of the house   . . . meh?       C'mon!

Sweet_Virginia
Posted: Mar 21, 2013 - 05:27
 
 Hannio wrote:


I agree.  Very overproduced.
 
And yet 45 years on still gets airplay and still gives goosebumps. Go figure. I guess most people just have no taste...

kurtster
(Back in Ohiya, for now ...)
Posted: Mar 21, 2013 - 05:27
 
 ferwoman wrote:
When I saw this on the Smothers Brothers Show in the early 70's, I was mesmerized by the combination of sounds and sights (each painting from the Louvre flashed by during the song's playing, some of it quite fast). When it finished, all I could say was, "Wow! I want to see that again!" So much fun.
 
I was just thinking the same thing and wanted to post the same thought.

{#Whisper}  But it was the late 60's, not the 70's.

ferwoman
Posted: Mar 04, 2013 - 16:43
 
When I saw this on the Smothers Brothers Show in the early 70's, I was mesmerized by the combination of sounds and sights (each painting from the Louvre flashed by during the song's playing, some of it quite fast). When it finished, all I could say was, "Wow! I want to see that again!" So much fun.

robertomiller
(Mountain View, CA)
Posted: Mar 04, 2013 - 16:38
 
I remember hearing this song the first time as a child, and stopping, completely, to absorb it.

Love the song that followed as well,  guitar riffing as a bridge..

sajitjacob
(Christchurch NZ)
Posted: Mar 04, 2013 - 16:32
 
Ground broken. Seeds planted.

Boy_Wonder
(Bath, back in the UK)
Posted: Feb 04, 2013 - 13:23
 
 Hannio wrote:


I agree.  Very overproduced.
 
Picky!! It is 45yrs old, not something that's just been recorded - give him a break!

Still a goosebumps moment for me - and Radiohead are still dirging away on the main feed! 

gillespp
(Portland, OR)
Posted: Feb 01, 2013 - 08:47
 
Back in the day there was nothing like this.

mauguima
(sewers)
Posted: Jan 17, 2013 - 12:39
 

 Hannio wrote:


I agree.  Very overproduced.
 
Try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSOUJbg6TAE&list=FLO3Bcbj1TIVHisTi99JRCaA&index=19

Papasmeg
(Lille France)
Posted: Jan 17, 2013 - 12:13
 
Totally agree with all the "guitar"comments. 8 for me but could be more........

ThePoose
(Ottawa, capital of Canada)
Posted: Jan 17, 2013 - 12:11
 
And what about Mason Dixon, who liked to do lines?

 lemmoth wrote:
Always used to confuse him with Mason Reese.

 



OzFan
(Skye, Melbourne, Australia)
Posted: Nov 30, 2012 - 15:57
 
But the name says it - it is a.... and that's just the way it was done in then; memorable.

Poacher
(Brighton, UK)
Posted: Oct 30, 2012 - 07:45
 
Hands up all ex (or current) dj's who used this as an intro or outro for their set or show. . . 

misterimpatient
(Eastern Massachusetts, USA)
Posted: Oct 30, 2012 - 07:45
 
I agree that the guitar is the best part but I still give this a very rare 10. I could listen all day. 

johnjconn
(chicago land)
Posted: Oct 30, 2012 - 07:44
 
Someone left the cake out in the rain???

Hannio
(Austin, TX)
Posted: Oct 15, 2012 - 10:03
 
 Laurelai wrote:
If this song could just stop at the guitar.  The guitar is lovely.  The rest...... meh
{#Snooty}
 

I agree.  Very overproduced.

Laurelai
(Sunny Melbourne Beach)
Posted: Sep 13, 2012 - 20:51
 
If this song could just stop at the guitar.  The guitar is lovely.  The rest...... meh
{#Snooty}

yuel
(Taka-Tuka-Land)
Posted: Aug 28, 2012 - 07:33
 
i think there are some parts in gordon giltrap's fear of the dark...right?

On_The_Beach
(The Blue Planet)
Posted: Jul 12, 2012 - 23:41
 
 CCinSB wrote:
Always laughed at this title! {#Lol}
 
When Mozart eats beans?

Proclivities
(Carrboro, NC)
Posted: Jun 26, 2012 - 11:19
 
 Papernapkin wrote:
This was the theme song to an ABC sport show in the 70s hosted by Brent Musburger. They play this while showing people running, skiing, and giving it their all. It's a great running song.
 
I believe you are thinking of the theme from ABC's Wide World Of Sports, which is a different tune than this one.  The show was hosted by Jim McKay.   Brent Musberger worked for CBS in the '70s; he was not at ABC Sports until around 1990.



catsoup
(Euclid, OH)
Posted: Jun 26, 2012 - 11:16
 
I love the song, but wow is the recording showing its age. Does someone have the master recording somewhere? I'd buy this all over again to hear the low sax clearly and the full range of the brass.

Hannio
(Austin, TX)
Posted: Jun 11, 2012 - 07:06
 
This would be so much better without the orchestra.  As it stands, it is way overproduced.

fredriley
(Nottingham, UK)
Posted: Jun 11, 2012 - 07:06
 
Highly enjoyable, even after all these years. The blarting bass sax background makes me think of the theme tune of the cult TV series The Prisoner.

dw
(PHill, CA)
Posted: May 25, 2012 - 14:36
 
Been on my ipod since day 1!!  I also like some other renditions as well, just for a change, like Vanessa Mae.

Johnny-smooth
(On my bicycle)
Posted: May 25, 2012 - 14:32
 
 mrgus wrote:
I remember when he played this on The Smiothers Brothers Show. He had a clear acrylic guitar with water and a gold fish in it. Thanks for brushing the dust off this one.
 
I saw that show! Just a young kid, but will always remember how I just sat there amazed at this guy playing.

CCinSB
(the west coast)
Posted: May 25, 2012 - 14:29
 
Always laughed at this title! {#Lol}

zurcronium
(Not in Texas)
Posted: Apr 23, 2012 - 21:00
 
LIstening to the last song by Buckingham I thought of this one and the fact that I had not heard it for years and then BANG Bill plays it. 

Only on RP will this happen.  

icemang
(Boston & DC, mostly)
Posted: Mar 23, 2012 - 03:52
 
 icemang wrote:
It's kinda goofy, but I love it - once every few years.

 
I said years, not weeks.

Bleyfusz
Posted: Mar 23, 2012 - 03:47
 
Something made me think in Tull, I dunno....

Papernapkin
(Mountain View, CA)
Posted: Feb 05, 2012 - 09:14
 
This was the theme song to an ABC sport show in the 70s hosted by Brent Musburger. They play this while showing people running, skiing, and giving it their all. It's a great running song.
 

icemang
(Boston & DC, mostly)
Posted: Feb 05, 2012 - 09:13
 
It's kinda goofy, but I love it - once every few years.


ad4tise
(Oil Spill County.)
Posted: Jan 19, 2012 - 16:14
 
Outstanding!!!!

Tamster
(Thousand Islands Canada)
Posted: Jan 19, 2012 - 16:13
 
 Cynaera wrote:

That's so funny (as in strange) - The first time I heard this song was as the theme song of one of the DJ's at the local AM/FM radio station. I called in to ask what it was and who did it, and after that, the next time I heard it was by somebody like Henry Mancini.  I loved the song itself, so I recorded it on Dad's Ampex reel-to-reel while he was at work, and when he got home, I played it for him.  He and Mom loved it, so when I finally got the original recorded, I played it for them, and they were puzzled.  "Why would this guy mess up a perfectly good Mancini song?"

I laughed until I cried.
 
Laughed out loud when I read this !

Cynaera
(Oh, who cares?)
Posted: Jan 04, 2012 - 14:28
 
 coloradojohn wrote:
Wow, nice time-trip on this one...  We're on vacation out in California, my dad is driving the 1967 Olds Vista Cruiser somewhere near La Jolla, my mom is saying Hey, there's that song again, and my dad turns it up.  My brother and I are in the back, laying down and looking up through the smoked glass roof panels, and life seemed pretty good for awhile there...  Not every day music maybe, but Thanks, RP!
 
That's so funny (as in strange) - The first time I heard this song was as the theme song of one of the DJ's at the local AM/FM radio station. I called in to ask what it was and who did it, and after that, the next time I heard it was by somebody like Henry Mancini.  I loved the song itself, so I recorded it on Dad's Ampex reel-to-reel while he was at work, and when he got home, I played it for him.  He and Mom loved it, so when I finally got the original recorded, I played it for them, and they were puzzled.  "Why would this guy mess up a perfectly good Mancini song?"

I laughed until I cried.


lemmoth
(NYC)
Posted: Jan 04, 2012 - 14:27
 
Always used to confuse him with Mason Reese.


sandpebble
(near Paradise)
Posted: Jan 04, 2012 - 14:25
 
93 KHJ.....Los Angeles!!

coloradojohn
(Tokyo till Jan. 29; can hardly wait! (Hope I don't burn up on re-entry...))
Posted: Dec 03, 2011 - 20:01
 
Wow, nice time-trip on this one...  We're on vacation out in California, my dad is driving the 1967 Olds Vista Cruiser somewhere near La Jolla, my mom is saying Hey, there's that song again, and my dad turns it up.  My brother and I are in the back, laying down and looking up through the smoked glass roof panels, and life seemed pretty good for awhile there...  Not every day music maybe, but Thanks, RP!

Hannio
(Austin, TX)
Posted: Nov 17, 2011 - 05:41
 
 Proclivities wrote:

Heaven forbid someone "shame" the illustrious and irreproachable Mason Williams.  Perhaps this isn't "elevator" music by whatever definition one may employ, but, to me, this recording has never been much more than a "novelty" instrumental - like "Popcorn" or "Percolator Twist" - though less fun and more overplayed.  Technical prowess does not automatically result in "great" art.
 

Gotta agree.

ronniegirl
(Middle of New Jersey)
Posted: Oct 01, 2011 - 15:55
 
 LaurieinTucson wrote:
I just heard that this was written by Mike Post, who did all the TV theme songs in the 70's and 80's. Anyone know?
 

Mike Post won a grammy at 23 for arrangement on this.  He produced the album also.    And Pete Townsend wrote "Mike Post Theme" for the 2006 Endless Wire album.

mrgus
Posted: Aug 31, 2011 - 06:19
 
I remember when he played this on The Smiothers Brothers Show. He had a clear acrylic guitar with water and a gold fish in it. Thanks for brushing the dust off this one.

Cynaera
(Kenneth's Frequency)
Posted: Aug 14, 2011 - 18:04
 
This was one of the first songs I aspired to learn when I picked up a guitar.  I still can't play it the way Mr. Williams does, but at least I went for something more challenging than "Little Black Egg."  And hearing this song today still puts a grin on my face and takes me back to some better times.

I will always love this song, and anything Mason Williams plays.

jchap5
(West Chester, Ohio)
Posted: Aug 14, 2011 - 18:02
 
Must be 20 years! Fantastic!

lshinkawa
(Berkeley, CA)
Posted: Jul 30, 2011 - 20:37
 
outta sight!

mymanzie
Posted: Jul 14, 2011 - 09:19
 
classic from early fm held up fairly well

johnjconn
(chicago land)
Posted: Jul 14, 2011 - 09:09
 
McAurthers Park anyone? 
"Left the cake out in the rain"

 LaurieinTucson wrote:
I just heard that this was written by Mike Post, who did all the TV theme songs in the 70's and 80's. Anyone know?