tag:bigbandcurtis.com,2005:/blogs/a-walk-down-memory-lane?p=3Everything Nostalgia2022-03-29T14:08:55-04:00Curtis Chamberlainfalsetag:bigbandcurtis.com,2005:Post/69350872022-03-29T14:08:55-04:002024-02-25T21:34:13-05:00California, Here I Come<p>Al Jolson performed the song in a Broadway Musical of 1921, "Bombo" that ran for 219 shows and launched a national tour. He wrote this song with Bud DeSylva and Joseph Meyer. It was released to the public in 1924. We are only familiar with the chorus, however the Broadway production included a couple verses. <a contents="This rendition arranged and recorded by Curtis Chamberlain in 2021." data-link-label="" data-link-type="track" href="/track/2816875/california-here-i-come" target="_blank">This rendition arranged and recorded by Curtis Chamberlain in 2021.</a></p>
<p>LYRICS </p>
<p>Chorus </p>
<p>California, Here I come, <br>Right back where I started from <br>Where bowers of flowers bloom in the sun, <br>Each morning at dawning, <br>Birdies sing an' everything <br>A sun-kist miss said "Don't be late" <br>That's why I can hardly wait, <br>Open up that Golden Gate, <br>California, Here I come</p>
<p><em>Here is the original cover from the 1924 sheet music.</em></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/95512/10690c70c20a6e811fe828ba8c78f0922020bb55/original/california-here-i-come.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>Curtis Chamberlaintag:bigbandcurtis.com,2005:Post/69350352022-03-29T13:12:51-04:002022-03-29T14:10:50-04:00Alexander's Ragtime Band<p>Written by Irving Berlin in 1911 during the days of Vaudeville Shows. The sheet music sold millions of copies. It has been a number one hit song for many musicians through the years. <a contents="This rendition arranged and recorded by Curtis Chamberlain in 2021." data-link-label="" data-link-type="track" href="/track/2816879/alexander-s-ragtime-band" target="_blank">This rendition arranged and recorded by Curtis Chamberlain in 2021.</a></p>
<p>Oh, ma honey, Oh, ma honey <br>Better hurry and let's meander <br>Ain't you goin', Ain't you goin' <br>To the leader man, ragged meter man <br>Oh, ma honey, Oh, ma honey <br>Let me take you to <br>Alexander's grandstand, brass band <br>Ain't you comin' along </p>
<p><em>Chorus </em></p>
<p><br>Come on and hear, come on and hear <br>Alexander's Ragtime Band <br>Come on and hear, come on and hear <br>It's the best band in the land <br>They can play a bugle call like you never heard before <br>So natural that you want to go to war <br>That's just the bestest band what am, honey lamb <br>Come on along, come on along <br>Let me take you by the hand' <br>Up to the man, Up to the man <br>Who's the leader of the band <br>And if you care to hear the <br>Swanee River played in ragtime <br>Come on and hear, Come on and hear <br>Alexander's Ragtime Band</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/95512/7ff4b89e5f7ae15c1dbc7c2710d3193ec04a5c66/original/alexanders-ragtime-band.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" /></p>Curtis Chamberlaintag:bigbandcurtis.com,2005:Post/68902432022-02-06T11:55:35-05:002022-02-06T11:58:51-05:00Apple Pie<p>There is nothing like a warm apple pie with a cup of coffee and some relaxing music on a cold, wintry day. Here is a picture of one of my wife's delicious apple pies. Always a favorite, maybe even add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to top it off.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/95512/d259cea21ffeba8abfe09f4fe2126d5ac855125c/original/apple-pie.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Curtis Chamberlaintag:bigbandcurtis.com,2005:Post/6818012021-09-17T16:02:38-04:002021-12-12T14:43:37-05:00Old Record Players and Big Speakers<p><span style="font-size: large;">When I was growing up on the orchard, my parents had this large piece of furniture in the dining room called a record changer. It would play the 45's, 78's and 33 &1/3 speed records (LP's). You could put a stack of ten records on and keep the music going for hours. It had a built in radio and the amp was powered by old tube technology. Made of wood measuring 3ft high by 3ft wide and weighing more than I care to think about <img src="//bandzoogle.com/common/FCKEditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/confused_smile.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" />. It had 2 side panels that opened toward the front like wings with fabric concealing a 3 way speaker system in each panel. The front of the cabinet sported a huge Jensen sub-woofer. The sound filled the house and was so natural and pure. The old cabinet now has a home in our dining room. The record changer is long gone (Dad had to repair it numerous times) but the speakers still sound great! Hooked up to a new amp and turntable, the old records still fill our home with music. And can you believe it... many new albums are being released on LP. Quite the retro experience.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/95512/f245f5a9ad622e45ceb2d0c102a514c18b1b1c8e/original/old-record-players.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>Curtis Chamberlaintag:bigbandcurtis.com,2005:Post/28317462021-09-17T11:50:51-04:002024-02-25T21:34:13-05:00Vaudeville Trivia<p>T<span class="font_regular">here was nothing like a good Vaudeville Show! Popular from 1870-1930, American Vaudeville shows or revues consisted of classical and popular music, singers, instrumentalists, dancers, acrobats, comedians, animal tricks and a variety of other unique acts. The "Polite" Vaudeville Shows were the most popular established by Benjamin Keith in the 1880's.. He maintained a "fixed policy of cleanliness and order" providing only family friendly entertainment. He and others built a network of Vaudeville Theaters across the United States emulating European Palaces with ornate detail and sophistication. For quite some time, the shows would repeat all day long, so one could stop in at anytime to catch a performance.<br><br>The Vaudeville Show slowly blended with the silent movies of the day interspersing the movies with live variety acts. The movies also required live musical accompaniment for effect. As the "talking pictures" began in 1927, the movies became more prominent in the theaters and the live variety shows slowly faded away. Interestingly, the early days of television adopted a "vaudeville" type of format with a blossoming of numerous "variety" shows. Even with today's modern music shows we see remnants from the days of vaudeville. The variety show lives on!</span></p>Curtis Chamberlaintag:bigbandcurtis.com,2005:Post/31013402021-09-17T11:49:17-04:002021-09-17T11:49:17-04:00A Melody of Amazing Grace<p><span class="font_regular">I am convinced when one life comes to the full realization of God's overwhelming love and grace, that one life will be renewed and refreshed forever. As an act of unmerited favor, God sent his son Jesus as a gift for all mankind. His perfection for our imperfection, His righteousness for our unrighteousness. We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and there is no condemnation from him. Past, present and future shortcomings were all taken care of in the finished work of Jesus Christ. We love him because he first loved us. "Labor to enter His rest", a concept so simplistic that is sometimes hard to grasp in our do-it -yourself society. Life is like a garden, I can plant and water the flowers/vegetables but the increase is a gift from heaven. As an act of gratitude we examine the wisdom of the scriptures as infallible truth and realize they were written for our well being and benefit. A guidebook of recommendations for our journey upon this earth that we may live victoriously in our body, mind, soul and spirit. Not following a list of man made demands but rather listening to the gentle persuasion of a loving father who says "I will help you, I will never leave you nor forsake you." <br><br>Many of us know by heart the favorite Bible Verse of John 3:16,<br><br><em>"For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life"</em><br><br>I love the verse following of John 3:17 which gives yet another indication of God's loving perspective toward us,<br><br><em>"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."</em><br><br>In my heart there rings a beautiful melody of His Amazing Grace. <em>-Curtis C.</em></span><br><br> </p>Curtis Chamberlaintag:bigbandcurtis.com,2005:Post/31182512021-09-17T11:47:05-04:002021-09-17T11:47:05-04:00Everything Old Is New<p><span class="font_regular">Vinyl records seem to be making quite the comeback. In addition to all the modern media, many artist are now releasing their albums on the old LP format at a much higher price. Up to $30 for an LP! One main benefit is more room for graphics with the larger package. Some fans maintain the sound quality is more natural with the tone arm hitting those grooves rather than the laser on the digital CD's. Whatever the reason, sales seem to be increasing and manufacturing facilities are making room once again on their production line for this classic recording format. So what do we play them on? Anyone have an old tube record changer out there? Well, many big box retailers and book stores are now offering those retro turntables. I walked into a "Books A Million (BAM)" store one day and they had a whole rack of portable vintage looking turntables in many styles and colors. They're extra cool these days as many of them have a USB connection. May the retro continue to spin.<em> -Curtis C.</em></span></p>Curtis Chamberlaintag:bigbandcurtis.com,2005:Post/28012302021-09-17T10:50:59-04:002022-02-22T16:30:20-05:00Saxophone Trivia<p>A saxophone is a family of metal, single reed instruments invented by Adolphe Sax (1814-1894) of Brussels in 1841. He patented the instrument in 1846 when he settled in Paris. The instruments have two basic shapes. The smaller ones are straight and the larger ones have the bell bent up and toward the front while the neck is bent back toward the player. There have been many orchestral and band versions of the instruments since the time of invention. Here are the ones in use today:<br><br>- Sopranino in Eb<br>- Soprano in Bb<br>- Alto in Eb<br>- Tenor in Bb<br>- Tenor in C (melody)<br>- Baritone in Eb<br>- Bass in Bb<br>-Contrabass in Eb<br>-Subcontrabass in Bb<br><br>The most commonly used are the alto, tenor and baritone models. The instrument has been used extensively in jazz and popular music as well as military bands and large wind ensembles. It has been used less often in orchestral and chamber music. Even today when you turn on the radio, you are bound to hear a saxophone as they are used for many different styles of music. </p>Curtis Chamberlaintag:bigbandcurtis.com,2005:Post/34385312014-12-26T09:05:18-05:002021-09-17T16:15:24-04:00What Christmastime Is To Me<p><span class="font_regular">What Christmastime is to me... one beautiful moment in time, a cherished memory, a kind word, a tender touch, the sparkling lights, a melody from long ago, the scent of pine and the aroma of Constant Comment Tea, a taste of a favorite food that carries a thousand memories, the love of my wife, the love of family and friends. The small things, the simple things and last but not least, a Savior is born. Too wonderful, too abundant, too freely given to keep in that one beautiful moment of time but something I want to share the whole year through. Merry Christmas! <em> -Curtis C.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/95512/ed6ad9947967925a448e3a6ed263ccbe45bc5b83/medium/PICT0203.JPG?1366160456" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></em></span></p>Curtis Chamberlaintag:bigbandcurtis.com,2005:Post/34228892014-12-20T17:27:05-05:002021-09-17T16:15:35-04:00The St. Olaf Choir<p>Last night on PBS Television, we enjoyed a beautiful Christmas Concert of traditional selections, "Christmas In Norway" featuring the St. Olaf College Choir. The concert was filmed in a lovely cathedral in Norway. What a breathtaking performance it was with expressive singing, magnificent crescendos, unmatched technical precision and flawless intonation. Truly the best I have ever seen. If I only had this one worshipful experience to know there is a divine creator, it would be enough. Wonderful! <em>-Curtis C. </em></p>Curtis Chamberlaintag:bigbandcurtis.com,2005:Post/33223542014-11-24T08:49:33-05:002021-09-17T16:15:48-04:00Adventures In Contentment<p><span class="font_regular">"Adventures In Contentment" is a great book about one man's journey as he considered the important things in life. A nostalgic writing published in 1907 by a well known author of the day, David Grayson. It is a refreshing read and this text flows with poetic lyricism. I am privileged to have the original hard bound copy in my library. The book is now in the public domain. I've posted a link below where you can download the eBook free of charge. Enjoy the journey!</span><br><br><a contents="www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10605" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10605" target="_blank">www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10605</a><br> </p>Curtis Chamberlaintag:bigbandcurtis.com,2005:Post/31285862014-08-09T09:22:40-04:002021-09-17T16:16:09-04:00A CD Review: Hugs and Kisses (x's and o's)<p>Following is a kind review of my CD by my SIL, Wanda. Her blog page is <a contents="Trinity Rose's Garden." data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://thelifeandtimesofwanda.blogspot.com/2013/11/hugs-and-kisses-xs-and-os-cd-review.html" target="_blank">Trinity Rose's Garden.</a><br><br><em>"Hugs and Kisses (x’s and o’s) is a wonderful collection of Big Band Era music. This CD just came out and it would make an excellent present for yourself or family. If you love Big Band music this CD is for you. Curtis is a very talented musician, singer, entertainer and songwriter. The CD contains fifteen songs that we have all heard (well fourteen) and many are favorites of ours. The first song Hugs and Kisses (x’s and o’s) was written by Curtis for his beautiful wife. Hugs and Kisses has a song for everyone. You will find yourself singing along and enjoying yourself when you listen to this beautiful CD. Curtis has a very smooth voice and he is flawless in his music abilities. I can’t believe this wonderful CD is going at such a great price for fifteen songs. The music, Curtis’ voice and songs he sings gives me the feeling of joy and peacefulness. The tone and quality of this CD are excellent.<br><br>Here’s a quote I thought was beautiful and fit with this CD.<br><br>~God sent his Singers upon earth<br>With songs of sadness and of mirth,<br>That they might touch the hearts of men,<br>And bring them back to heaven again.<br>~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow~<br><br>Highly recommend this CD-Hugs and Kisses (x’s and o’s)<br><br>Order CD from<a contents="Big Band Curtis" data-link-label="Music Store" data-link-type="page" href="/music-store" target="_blank"> Big Band Curtis</a><br>Go to this site to listen to some free music also!"</em></p>Curtis Chamberlaintag:bigbandcurtis.com,2005:Post/13847632013-08-12T07:55:00-04:002021-09-17T15:58:56-04:00America, The Beautiful<p><span style="font-size: large;">A classic American patriotic sing- along. The lyrics were written by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katharine_Lee_Bates">Kathrine Lee Bates</a> in 1895 and published as a poem. The music was written by church organist and choirmaster <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_A._Ward">Samuel A. Ward</a> for a hymn of a different name. The lyrics and music were combined and published in 1910. I include this song at almost every show I perform as it is still a familiar and favorite sing-along. I hope you enjoy this simple arrangement and free MP3 download. "Please join me for our traditional patriotic sing-along, America, The Beautiful".<br> </span></p>
<p><a contents="Play Song" data-link-label="" data-link-type="track" href="/track/2818632/america-the-beautiful" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Play Song</span></a></p>Curtis Chamberlaintag:bigbandcurtis.com,2005:Post/10022872013-06-24T07:15:00-04:002021-12-18T20:32:36-05:00Danny Boy - 100th Anniversary!<p><span style="font-size: large;">The song's melody was first heard in Ireland in the streets of Limavady, county Londonderry where it was known as the Londonderry Air. In 1910, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederic_Weatherly">Frederic Weatherly</a> composed the lyrics to this beautiful melody. In 1913, the song was published making this the 100th Anniversary Celebration. The city of Derry-Londonderry, UK is holding a huge musical extravaganza called "Music City" the weekend of June 21st to celebrate the occasion. Free live performances everywhere with a mass singing/recording of the legendary song. <br><br>This was one of the first songs I learned in high school voice lessons with Robert Owen Jones of Muskingum University (retired). </span><br><br><br><br> </p>Curtis Chamberlaintag:bigbandcurtis.com,2005:Post/9154592013-06-10T10:10:00-04:002021-09-17T16:04:25-04:00The Stars and Stripes Forever!<p><span style="font-size: large;">This classic patriotic song was written in 1896 by </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Philip_Sousa"><span style="font-size: large;">John Philip Sousa </span></a><span style="font-size: large;">(1854-1932). By an Act of Congress, it is the official National March of The United States. It is performed by bands and orchestras across the nation and we hear it every year during the Grand Finale of the fireworks display on </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)"><span style="font-size: large;">The 4th of July</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">.<br><br>I hope you enjoy this rendition and free download of the song!<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="track" href="/track/529321/the-stars-and-stripes-forever"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/95512/c1974b31c2871f14a3293ae92c6f8bdbbdac1c83/large/Stars-and-Stripes-Forever.jpg?1371052801" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="429" width="600" /></a></span><br><br><br> </p>Curtis Chamberlain