Sunday Song, Santa Claus Is Back In Town

Santa Boot Camp --- Gunny Santa



Classic Cheech & Chong

Creepy Santas

Cloudy - Hi 64 Lo 52 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 62 Lo 33 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Windy - Hi 24 Lo 9 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Santa Claus Is Back In Town, Elvis Presley

Ramble:
It was a strange week... so, no post today... besides, we have a ton of things to accomplish today so this needs to be short. Friday night Michael and I traveled up to Clifton Mill. We have wanted to go there for quite some time. The mill was built in 1802 by a Revolutionary War soldier--- it still stands and is still in operation. The buildings on the property are all original-- including this incredible log cabin. The 3,600,000 lights were spectacular. A computer synchronized light show was very cool. The miniature village was my favorite part... especially the Frisch's Big Boy and the Drive In Movie. One of the things we were looking forward to was seeing the Santa Claus Museum- The family collection of various antique Santa's... some dating back to the 1800's... All I can say... is although interesting... I was pretty creeped out... the volume of noise... all the creepy and dirty Kris Kringles.... and then... there was the "docent" that sat there silently... You'll see her in one of the quick videos I shot... So, to all those planning 2009 Halloween Haunted Houses... consider a Santa Room...









Have a great week everyone!

Sunday Song, Blue Moon of Kentucky

I was looking for a clip from the movie Planes, Trains, and Automobiles-- one of just a couple of movies that celebrate Thanksgiving... It is one of my most favorite movies. It is heartwarming and sweet and hysterically funny. Above all, John Hughes brings to life what it means to be thankful, to appreciate what is most important and sadly what we most often take for granted...

In any event... there is a scene with Steve Martin and John Candy driving in the dead of winter in a charred remnant of what was once a vehicle and they are singing Blue Moon of Kentucky.

I used to hate Bluegrass... in the last 10-15 years I have really grown to love it... it's one of the foundations of rock n roll....

So, in my search... I found a ton of versions.... so... I am lifting this idea from the fabulous, multi talented, Dragon Lady.

Many believe that Elvis has dibbs on this song...



But in reality it is the legendary Bill Monroe that not only sang this song for the first time, but he and his Blue Grass Boys created this genre of music. Quite frankly, I prefer this version.



The fabulous Patsy Cline



The Hungarian Rockabilly version... This one if for Michael.. Clippers is the name of the band... pretty good.



The Swedish do Bluegrass-- Blue Mountain Boys



Bluegrass origins come from Ireland--- maybe that's why the following version is so good.

Blue Moon of Kentucky This is a great version!

But there is this version... Asians sucking on helium filled balloons before stepping up to the microphone...

The best part about Bluegrass music is that it lends itself to those who can not sing. It's all about being able to sing flat and slightly off key- as you get older, the more "authentic" you sound. What carries the listener is the musicianship---the musicians improvise and take turns in playing the melody. If you have never listened... give it a chance...

Have a great week!