A Promotional Postcard Touting Agricultural Advancements From
Monstanto's Sponsored Adventure Through Inner Space
Monstanto's Sponsored Adventure Through Inner Space
Image Courtesy of Flickr User Neato Coolvile
Spring Represents Renewal, This is Especially True on the Farm
Image © & Courtesy of Tumblr User Shane Swift
When an overall cultural dress is conjured up to represent a country, the garments reflect that region's trades, religions or traditions. A kimono-clad Geisha clearly represents Japan, a uniformed Royal Guard of the Queen suggests England, and so forth.
So what image best reflects the United States since it was established? It's a good bet the answer lies in our history, too: the American Cowboy represents the taming of the west, and the American Farmer represent those who tamed the land.
The Iconic American Farmer
Image © & Courtesy of Old-Picture.com
Though the agricultural industry is aided today by the benefits of technology and mechanization, the actual planting and growing of food hasn't changed much at all. With tradition in mind, let us set the table with a taste of farm-grown musical bounty, old and new.
Whether you're planting a small garden or acres of corn, here's a suggested playlist of 9 songs to get you in the spirit—feel free to add some of your own favorite songs to get in the swing of spring. There's a great variety of themes and artists included here, from well-known entertainers like Danny Kaye and Louis Jordan, a rare country turn by The Beach Boys, some talented banjo picking of the multi-faceted Steve Martin, to music straight from the Heartland by Rex and Noelene Franklin and Jay Ungar.
Of Course, No Farm Tribute is Complete Without a Salute to Green Acres
Image © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc., Courtesy of A.V. Club
As I like to do whenever possible, one of these songs is a free MP3 download: this time it's a B-side recording from a 1960 Signature Records 45* written and performed by creative genius Jim Henson. Henson's familiar, easygoing voice takes you from farm to the city and back again in the absurd, fun way that only the Master of Muppets could.
A Heap of Henson Hens Hatch Hilarity
Image courtesy of The Clueless Farmer
Each song listed below is available on Amazon.com and/or iTunes. Below the description of each song I've included links to the album for both stores, where you can listen to audio samples and purchase 'em if any suit your tastes. As usual, I don't get a piece of the profits if you make a purchase—the links are there to make things easy.
Farming
Artist: Danny Kaye
Album: Danny Kaye on Song (Box Set)
Amazon | iTunes
Barnyard Boogie
Artist: Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Album: Swingsation: Louis Jordan
Amazon | iTunes
Green Acres Theme
Artist: Vic Mizzy, Performed by Eva Gabor and Eddie Albert
Album: The Music of Television's HitsAlbum: Danny Kaye on Song (Box Set)
Amazon | iTunes
Barnyard Boogie
Artist: Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Album: Swingsation: Louis Jordan
Amazon | iTunes
Green Acres Theme
Artist: Vic Mizzy, Performed by Eva Gabor and Eddie Albert
Amazon | iTunes
Chicken Reel/Turkey in the Straw/Flopeared Mule (Medley)
Artist: Craig Duncan
Album: Country Mountain Barn Dance
Amazon | iTunes
Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song)
Artist: The Beach Boys
Album: The Beach Boys Greatest Hits Vol. II: More Good Vibrations
Amazon | iTunes
Out Behind the Barn
Artist: Rex and Noelene Franklin
Album: Out Behind the Barn
Amazon | iTunes
Hoedown at Alice's
Artist: Steve Martin
Album: The Crow: New Songs for the Five String Banjo
Amazon | iTunes
Prairie Spring
Artist: Jay Ungar & Molly Mason
Album: Harvest HomeAmazon | iTunes
The Countryside
Artist: Jim Henson
Album: (Single) Tick-Tock Sick/The Countryside
* Kids: ask your cranky, old Grampaw what this number means.
No comments:
Post a Comment