L is for Language and M is Music

Language: Middle English from Old French langue meaning tongue/language, from Latin lingua (more at tongue. )

Language. Where would we be without it?

Music: Middle English musik, from Old French musique, from Latin musica, from Greek mousike any art presided over by the Muses, especially music, from the feminine of mousikos meaning of the Muses, from Mousa meaning Muse.

There was always music of one kind or another in our home. My father had a fairly large collection of 78s and LPs; everything from Dixieland jazz to Swing to Classical. I grew up listening to and singing along with the standards. Dad played trombone and E-flat tuba. Wherever we lived he'd find a band to played in. He was really good on the trombone. We called it his magic plumbing because it seemed every time he'd haul it out and start playing unexpected company would show up.

When I was about 17 Count Basie came to St. Thomas. My father took my grandmother and me to hear him play at the Lionel Roberts Stadium. He and his band played right out there on the pitcher's mound. It was wonderful. (The large white roofed building is the old hospital. It now houses government offices.)

Because of my early exposure to Big Band jazz it took me a while to get into Rock and Roll. But I did learn to love it. I was fascinated by drummers like Ginger Baker from Cream. To this day I don't know how drummers do it, have all four appendages going at the same time, each doing something different. And then on top of that there are drummers like Phil Collins and Don Henley who SING while they drum! A-MAZE-ING. One time I got Dad to listen to Baker's long solo on the song "Toad" off Fresh Cream.

After patiently listening for a while he said, "You gotta hear this." He rummaged through his 78s, hauled one out and put it on the record player. I heard this wildly fast beat to a tune called "Lover."

"That," said Dad, "Is Gene Krupa. He was the first to use drums as a solo instrument. They called his playing scary and spooky."

And indeed when you listen to him it is a bit scary how he managed to get so much sound out a such a small drum kit. Compared to the kits drummers use today, Krupa and even Ginger Baker, had tiny kits.

This is Krupa with his band playing "Lover" a slightly slower version than the one on the 78, but still amazing, plus a second song called "Leave Us Leap."

And if you ever wondered about the origins of Rock and Roll, listen to this.

What are your first music memories?

As an aside I've been given these three awards.

Susan Fields is the second blogger buddie to pass this one to me. Thanks Susan!

The Awesomesause Award (for displaying awesomeness on a regular basis) was given to me by Creepy Query Girl. Thank you Creepy!

And lastly, Rena Jones has bestowed me with the Beautiful Blogger Award

As with all awards, if you are reading this consider yourself awarded. I pass it on to you with all my heart.