Alabama: Alabama Bound

purchase [Doc Watson]

As I noted last post, the train is a classic element of music from the south -be it the blues or country. Whether it is the rhythm of the wheels on the rails that matches the musical beat, the role the railroad played in the escape from the south, the resemblance of the whistle and some of the sounds you can get from the harmonica or the loneliness that can come from being on the road.


Herewith 3 versions in somewhat chronologichal order of the classic that combines once again Alabama and trains:

Leadbelly:

Doc & Merle :

Arlo Guthrie

and just for silliness:

Creepy Crawlies: There's a New Sound

The Muppets: There's a New Sound

[Purchase]

The Muppet Show had a great way of taking a classic novelty song and giving it new life for a new generation. We talked about this back in BoyHowdy's post for the song "Mahna Mahna" here, and it holds true again for the classic novelty hit "There's a New Sound" originally by Tony Burrello (which you can hear on YouTube here if you're interested). The original was a staple of the Dr. Demento show but was all but forgotten until it appeared again on The Muppet Show.

On the Muppet Show, stage manager Scooter sings this classic about the sound of these underground creepy crawlies. The original version is creepier and stranger, but when it appears on The Muppets it feels like it was made for them and has a charm children and families will appreciate. And this recording comes complete with a joke by Fozzie Bear at the end.

Peace On Earth: The Christmas Wish

John Denver & The Muppets: The Christmas Wish

[Purchase]

Merry Christmas, Star Makers and readers!

This album, John Denver & The Muppets: A Christmas Together, is what it takes for it to feel like Christmas for me. It has been part of our family tradition for years and has always been a favorite. I mentioned it before on a post about John Denver, but there's something about him that seems to go well with Christmas...and the Muppets, well, who doesn't love the Muppets? This album is beautiful and a Christmas classic for my generation I would say. It has all the fun you'd expect from The Muppets, but also all the serene beauty of a calm holiday by the fire.

This song, though sung by Kermit and the gang and not John, is a song of peace and love and sounds very much like something John would sing. I love the words because it encourages us to remember that Christmas is about sharing and putting away differences to allow for the fellowship of mankind whether you're a Christian or not. Admittedly, I've always found one of the great things about the Muppets to be the friendship of so many odd creatures. Where else would it seem almost normal for a bear to be a harmless, yet pitifully poor, comedian, a frog to date a pig, and a dog to be an amazing pianist? They may not fit in within normal society, but they have each other. The fact that they joke around but also can be melancholy too and will go out of their way for each other really is the spirit of friendship and of the holidays. So today, their Christmas Wish is also mine. I hope you are having a joyous holiday!

Christmas is a time to come together
A time to put all differences aside.
And I reach out my hand
To the family of man
To share the joy I feel at Christmastime.