With yesterday being Martin Luther King Day, I thought it was more appropriate to post about something related to the holiday instead of my traditional Monday Morning Entertainment.
How was your weekend? Did you have good weather to enjoy? Cincinnati weather was good, but a cold blast has a grip on us now.
Yes, it was a 3-day weekend for us. We were able to spend time on the ballroom floor on two occasions, went to the theater for Anna Karenina, and our church wine group had another successful event with a Wine and Music theme. Hmmmm … I guess I’ll have to turn that into a post.
Although yesterday’s post wasn’t a typical Monday, let’s make this post a typical Monday for Tuesday! After all, for those that had a day off, this will start your week. For those that had a normal Monday, here’s a perk for your Tuesday.
This song from my youth reached #8 on the Billboard charts in April 1969 (#10 in May 1969 for my Canadian friends) … and I imagine it’s been sometime since you thought for this one. Ladies and gentlemen, the incomparable Ray Stevens! …. and I can hear John Erickson singing along all the way down here.
A Frank Angle 
Actually, I was more of a fan of “The Streak” and “The Day The Squirrel Went Berserk In The First Self-Righteous Church In The Sleepy Little Town Of Pascagoula”. And it is SO dang terrifying that I could remember all that! 😯
Fascinating day today, weather-wise. We had a blizzard AND brilliant sunshine! Tomorrow’s the meat locker, then (I think) Thursday brings a “wintry mix”. Guess we’re trying to get ALL kinds of winter weather in this week! 😀
Have a good Monday! (Tuesday? Whatever!)
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John,
This one pre-dates The Streak … so maybe just a bit before your time. Meanwhile, we only got a few flurries yesterday, but on the other side of the city, there was an 80-vehicle accident! … and plus a 50+ vehicle one not too far to the north. Crazy!!!! Stay warm!
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Yeah, I think Columbus piled up 68 or so on I-270 east of town. People are the same all over – give ’em a shot of snow, and they FREAK! 🙄
I think “Guitarzan” came up in a discussion between you and Fasab …. I think. You know me, memory like a steel trap – rusted shut! 😀
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The scoop here was that I was like a mini snow storm, so cars you going normal interstate speed, and then suddenly the roads are covered, iced, and poor visibility … and then the cars behind them creates a domino effect. Very unusual, thus not the normal snow panic. Very strange … and strange enough to make it to CNN today.
I think a conversation with Fasab did spark Guitarzan, but instead of using it, I got the idea and kept it for use on a Monday.
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Ok John … just for you.
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😀 As General Patton once said to Marilyn Monroe, “Tanks for the mammaries”! :p
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Wow, that’s a classic oldie.
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John,
Absolutely!!!!
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We got our first snow event for the winter. And now the wind is cranking up. Last week we had several days of sunny and seventy followed by a near monsoon. It feels like we’ve gone through all of the seasons in the space of a week.
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Renee,
Quite the whirlwind of weather … meanwhile, stay warm.
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Oh wow, I haven’t heard of that in many years. His songs were so darn funny. 🙂
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Jackie,
I have no clue why this song popped into my head a few weeks ago, which caused me to search YouTube and bookmark this video. But I agree, funny for sure!
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i remember him but not that song. nice nostalgic thought.
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Rich,
I’m a bit older, so possibly just a bit before you time.
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My mother used to buy all of Ray Stevens’ records. They were evening entertainment for our family, along with The Smothers Brothers and Bill Cosby albums. … And yes, it is COLD!
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Maddie,
Yep – those are all funny stuff of the times! The Smothers Brothers Show was a good one! … stay warm up there!
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Smothers Brothers are classic! So funny!
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great nostalgic music!!
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Mino,
Definite a trip back in time.
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Gitarzan made me day!
Cheers, Frank!
🙂
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Marina,
Maybe a song you hadn’t heard before … but it is fun for the day.
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🙂
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Ha ha ha ha…never heard it before.
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TBM,
Possibly before your time.
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That video …. Frank???!!! Are you feeling okay????!!!!
Yes, what a big man he was, Martin Luther King … what a lost. Still slavery lives on like nothing has happen.
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Viveka,
LOL … absolutely OK. 🙂
Because I know you are a proud Swede who appreciates the Nobel Prize and its ceremony, here’s a copy of Dr. King’s acceptance speech.
http://www.nobelprizes.com/nobel/peace/MLK-nobel.html
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Thanks for the link – the peace prize winners has always been very controversial choices – but when King was the right man for it. Thanks a million for the link.
The freedom should ring .. for the whole those days.
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Ray Stevens is a National Treasure! Question: Is he in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame?
Also looking forward to a full report on how you liked the Anna Karenina film, and also what won the prize for the best musical wine label title at the tasting?
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Tim,
Both of us enjoyed Anna Karenina, but for my taste, a bit to esoterique – as in the abstract setting.
The best wine label (in my opinion) was one called Maestro – which I think was an Italian blend.
Ray Stevens is not in the HOF .. then again, neither are the Moody Blues.
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Good Tuesday morning Frank. 🙂 There was no break for me, either on the weekend or on yesterday. Crazy busy! Sounds though you guys had a great weekend!
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Good Morning Alex,
A good weekend it was …. balanced and not very hectic. On your third cup this morning? 😉
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LOL! I just went to the kitchen to get it. You know me far too well!
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All l had to do was check the clock.
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Very true! 😀
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1. I agree with your take on Anna Karenina.
2. Where can I get a case of Maestro?
3. Ray Stevens and The Moody Blues not in the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame? Cancel my next trip to Cleveland!!!
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I will have to ask around about the wine and where they got it.
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I was in Helsinki for the weekend where it was minus 25 on Saturday. It was cold, but I got some lovely photos of the sunrise over the harbour.
I went to see Anna Karenina in Helsinki, I thought it appropriate since I was so close to Russia. I thought it was all a bit silly.
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Had totally forgotten about Guitarzan, Frank. In revisiting this treasure it occurred to me that perhaps Ray Stevens is actually the father of Rap. What do you think?
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Cathy,
I never thought of Ray Stevens are the father of Rap … actually a funny thought. Just so you know, there are other videos of Ray Steven songs in the comments … well, that is if you so dare.
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Never heard of him, but I think I still lived in Israel when he was popular here, although that didn’t prevent us from listening to most of the other famous singers from the US.
I don’t want to rub it in, but…. it’s going to be 76 degrees here today.
My husband and I went to see the movie Quartet. For me it was too contrived, but he really enjoyed it (he’s more sentimental) and of course it had older folks, music and the incomparable Maggie Smith.
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Rachel,
Well now … see … you missed a lot! 😉 … Thanks for the tip about Quartet, and hope you enjoy the warmth that we aren’t getting.
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That was fun, Frank. Thank you. 🙂
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Robin,
You are very welcome. 😀
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I loved Ray Stevens, but I go back to Ahab The Arab and Jeremiah Peabody’s Green and Purple Pills.
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Hansi,
I imagine Ahab isn’t too PC today, but it was a funny one! … but I don’t know the one about the pills, so here it is for you to enjoy.
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Happy Tuesday Frank. It is freezing cold here in the Big Apple. The turnstiles in my subway station even began to freeze up causing a bottleneck of commuters unable to get through, but no one lost it at anyone else. I regret that the 3 day weekend did not extend into 4 because I’ve spent my entire morning here at The Grind deep in computer hell, but everything has since been returned to normal so I can now take a moment to chill out on your site. My colleague who is almost 30 years younger than me loves music from the 60s and 70s, but fortunately I’ve been spared having to hear “Guitarzan” which I did not listen to in its entirety here. Recently “One Tin Soldier” streamed on whatever channel she had on. I emitted a loud audible over that. She changed the station fast. Right now she has on Hendrix so all is okay.
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Lame,
Dang … sounds too cold for my liking! So did you college know Guitarzan? … and I am surprised that someone of your mental stature does just jump up and want to join in. Oh .. maybe you are waiting on Hairy the Hairy Ape!
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hhmmm….Ray Stevens…I have a distinct memory of listening to his albums (the songs John E mentioned) with my cousin….the record blasting away and us eating pixie sticks and playing checkers. It’s cold here, but we have lots of glorious sunshine!
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Hood,
The Streak was one of his last hits, but he made other odd songs that were hits earlier. Meanwhile, the streaking era was interesting.
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It feels like the arctic up here in Akron. Went for a 3.5 mile walk this morning and the thermometer read 8 degrees. Of course I’m about 8 degrees south of crazy for doing it but it felt good. Love Ray Stevens – haven’t heard that in decades. Made me smile. I remember “The Streak” was the very first 45rpm I ever bought with my own money. Remember that craze?
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Mobius,
Oh my my … a landmark personal purchase linked to The Streak! I’m not sure, but The Streak was probably end the end of his streak of hits. Glad I was able to provide a smile today!
Meanwhile … burrrrrrr … stay warm.
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How did I miss this one?
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Elyse,
Good question. Ask hubby if he remembers it.
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I do not play music for my husband. Really. Marital harmony requires sacrifices.
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That’s a good one and a discovery, never heard of it.
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Doggy,
One has to be a certain age to remember this … plus other ones in the comments.
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Wow! Is Ray Stevens still around?
Haven’t heard that name in years…
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Guapo,
I just finished reading his bio on Wikipedia (assuming it’s true) … but, he’s been active for a long time with recordings, videos, stage acts, theaters, and more. Surely more active than I would have imagined.
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I love Ray Stevens – such fun! We used to all shriek his songs as we drove on vacation with the windows down – drove my mother, a classical music sort, crazy (everyone’s looking!)
A great way to start the week.
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Mouse,
Great story about singing along with Ray Stevens. After all, his songs are fun! Glad you enjoyed this!
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We’re freezing here to your south, as well! Woke up to single digits this morning!
Hugs,
Kathy
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Kathy,
No kidding its cold! Lexington is further north than some think. 😉
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I was in Seattle, thus my spotty reading habits. It was terrible with fog and cold. But visits with friends and relatives made braving the weather worth it. What a funny man he was! I think the Streak was really the first of his songs I really remember clearly.
Back in Dallas where it will reach 70 this week.
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Val,
Although Seattle winters wouldn’t be consider harsh, I don’t think I’d like the regular dreariness. At least you are warm now. Hope you noticed that The Streak was one of the videos in the comments.
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I did and I listened to it all the way through, giggling.
Seattle usually isn’t harsh. This long weekend (Thursday through Monday was a bit rough. Never got above about 38 and it was foggy the entire time. I was a bit disappointed. Was hoping to travel outside the city for some photo ops. Ah well, next time I go up will be early Summer a much better time of year in that part of the country.
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Bummer … but yes …. Seattle in the summer is awesome!
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Oh what a treasure pleasure trip you have taken us on today, Frank! LOVE Ray – I too can remember singing with him in the car with all the windows down!!! I wonder, is a leotard like a leiderhoseen? just sayin’…
great fun, Frank – thanks!!!
🙂
Aren’t they so much more fun with videos!?!?!?
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Kat,
Cheers to another who appreciates Ray Stevens early work. Heck, I still have a vinyl LP of his greatest hits in the closet. Glad you enjoyed this.
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Good old Ray. Well remembered.
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Fasab,
Ah yes … but it doesn’t sound an enthusiastic endorsement. 😦
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LOL and I thought I hid it so well.
Actually this is more my type of guitar music
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LOL … did you see the Kennedy Honors show in December with Buddy Guy?
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no, was it good?
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it was awesome …. a show that I try to watch each year.
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