I never liked Roy Rogers, or Gene Autry, but now I know that Roy, at least was doing his best to become the human Roy Dog●Ears I know why I didn’t like him at least.
How could a mere human hope to succeed as a pale imitation of one of Dogdom’s greatest cowpups?
An interesting YouTube comment from Gulfcoastbeemer in the comment section for the top video, “I’m an Old Cowhand” by Carson Robison (c. 1936):
“This might be the only country song I’ve ever heard that features a Contrabassoon solo. I’m trying to imagine cowboys sitting around the campfire under the stars with their contrabassoons.” (1:53)
Your comment made me go back and listen to it again. I liked it the first time, so this was no hardship. I do not think it’s a contrabassoon. Instead, I think it’s a bass saxophone. But the joke is funnier with a contrabassoon.
And, your comment made ME go back and listen again, as well! I compared it to a contrabassoon:
a bass saxophone:
and, a bass clarinet (which was listed in the instrumental information section of the song video);
In my opinion, it still sounds closest to a contrabassoon, but my musical ear is probably not sophisticated enough to say for sure, so I could be wrong. They all sound close to each other.
(This is the 2nd time I’ve typed this all out. First time, it disappeared! That original comment may, or may not, show up again.)
If you actually found a source that says it was a bass clarinet on that recording, I would be inclined to go with that.
If you want to hear a full, LOUD contrabassoon sound, find a recording of Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. One of the movements is entitled “March to the Scaffold.” During the recurrent march theme proclaimed by the brass, listen for the very lowest notes you can find. The original score called for an obsolete instrument called the ophicleide. There are few ophicleides extant, and few who know how to play them, so the part is typically given to the contrabassoon.
Another contrabassoon example is the opening measures of the Richard Strauss tone poem Tod und Verklarung, or Death and Transfiguration. In this work, it is quite soft.
Alexikakos
Member
Famed Member
2 years ago
Written well before the plague, but it fits and it’s fun.
Rick Moranis played Bob McKenzie of Bob and Doug McKenzie fame (famous hosers).
I heard this for the first time this afternoon, Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Who knew he has a singing voice?
He played Seymour in a movie treatment of Little Shop of Horrors. And all the actors in the film sang their roles. Including Steve Martin as, if memory serves, the sadistic dentist.
I had forgotten he was in that. The picture link below will take you to the movie. As always, “x” out all the interference and go full screen, the movie is there.
And Steve Martin did indeed play Orin Scrivello, DDS in that film.
The things one learns while least expecting it. Thank you, Susan !
Below is the original Australian version of the song made popular by Lucky Star (stage name of Leslie William Morrison) in 1962 (although it was written in 1959 by Albert Geoffrey McElhinney OAM) ; McElhinney’s stage name was Geoff Mack.
It’s “Australian-funny” (for lack of a better term) and the ending is a —.
At the very bottom, is a link to the Wikipedia article where I got the above. It’s a short article, with more about the song and hover-picture-links to the Australian places named in the song.
Sweet poster. The details are amazing. Love “The Pups of the Pioneers”.
I was just talking with friends about the time we went to the Roy Roger’s Museum when it was in Apple Valley. The man never threw a thing away. And as much stuff that was in the museum, they had warehouses full of boxes of more stuff. Super interesting. And, of course, there was Trigger and Bullet – stuffed.
I think that is why we ended up in Montana! We live among the cowboys and their rich history! We can all watch this movie at a local cowboy bar while munching on some great chicken.
I think Tapioca Day is becoming a monthly celebration!
MontanaLady
Member
Famed Member
2 years ago
I’ve been a life long fan of Roy Dog-ears! (shhh…..don’t tell MMM. He’d never guess) And the Pups of the Pioneers! You’d never watch a good Western without them singing about ‘Water’. Thanks for the great poster, Stel. Brings back lots of fond memories.
[human’s original poster]
…
I never liked Roy Rogers, or Gene Autry, but now I know that Roy, at least was doing his best to become the human Roy Dog●Ears I know why I didn’t like him at least.
How could a mere human hope to succeed as a pale imitation of one of Dogdom’s greatest cowpups?
An interesting YouTube comment from Gulfcoastbeemer in the comment section for the top video, “I’m an Old Cowhand” by Carson Robison (c. 1936):
“This might be the only country song I’ve ever heard that features a Contrabassoon solo. I’m trying to imagine cowboys sitting around the campfire under the stars with their contrabassoons.” (1:53)
LOL
Your comment made me go back and listen to it again. I liked it the first time, so this was no hardship. I do not think it’s a contrabassoon. Instead, I think it’s a bass saxophone. But the joke is funnier with a contrabassoon.
And, your comment made ME go back and listen again, as well! I compared it to a contrabassoon:
a bass saxophone:
and, a bass clarinet (which was listed in the instrumental information section of the song video);
In my opinion, it still sounds closest to a contrabassoon, but my musical ear is probably not sophisticated enough to say for sure, so I could be wrong. They all sound close to each other.
(This is the 2nd time I’ve typed this all out. First time, it disappeared! That original comment may, or may not, show up again.)
Thanks for playing! LOL
If you actually found a source that says it was a bass clarinet on that recording, I would be inclined to go with that.
If you want to hear a full, LOUD contrabassoon sound, find a recording of Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. One of the movements is entitled “March to the Scaffold.” During the recurrent march theme proclaimed by the brass, listen for the very lowest notes you can find. The original score called for an obsolete instrument called the ophicleide. There are few ophicleides extant, and few who know how to play them, so the part is typically given to the contrabassoon.
I agree, the bass clarinet sounds right. The sax has more buzz.
Another contrabassoon example is the opening measures of the Richard Strauss tone poem Tod und Verklarung, or Death and Transfiguration. In this work, it is quite soft.
Written well before the plague, but it fits and it’s fun.
Rick Moranis played Bob McKenzie of Bob and Doug McKenzie fame (famous hosers).
I heard this for the first time this afternoon, Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Who knew he has a singing voice?
He played Seymour in a movie treatment of Little Shop of Horrors. And all the actors in the film sang their roles. Including Steve Martin as, if memory serves, the sadistic dentist.
I had forgotten he was in that. The picture link below will take you to the movie. As always, “x” out all the interference and go full screen, the movie is there.
And Steve Martin did indeed play Orin Scrivello, DDS in that film.
For those who don’t know…
His song a parody of “I’m Been Everywhere” … a song written and first sung in Australia, in the late 1950’s…
a hit in the US for Hank Snow, in the early 60’s, changed to American place names…
and a bit later for Johnny Cash:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4epAJRPMw
…
and sung by various others, over the years… including Willie Nelson and a load of amateurs.
it’s become kind of a challenge, in a joking way, for country singers, to prove that they can perform it from memory.
—
I thought Elvis had sung it, but I didn’t see a video…
then I realised maybe I had it confused with another boastful country song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTSVDKgG8Uw
Johnny Cash maybe?
The things one learns while least expecting it. Thank you, Susan !
Below is the original Australian version of the song made popular by Lucky Star (stage name of Leslie William Morrison) in 1962 (although it was written in 1959 by Albert Geoffrey McElhinney OAM) ; McElhinney’s stage name was Geoff Mack.
It’s “Australian-funny” (for lack of a better term) and the ending is a —
At the very bottom, is a link to the Wikipedia article where I got the above. It’s a short article, with more about the song and hover-picture-links to the Australian places named in the song.
Wikipedia article
None of them has been to Belchertown.
I’d bet my bottom dollar on that!
Or maybe they all have, but it’s just too embarrassing to sing about.
I had no idea that it was originally an Australian song. Thanks for the info!
I liked Gabby. 🙂
Me too.
Sweet poster. The details are amazing. Love “The Pups of the Pioneers”.
I was just talking with friends about the time we went to the Roy Roger’s Museum when it was in Apple Valley. The man never threw a thing away. And as much stuff that was in the museum, they had warehouses full of boxes of more stuff. Super interesting. And, of course, there was Trigger and Bullet – stuffed.
Thanks, PC !! It just occurred to me that I missed another basset reference opportunity: I should have put: “The Pups of the Pionears” !!!
They do have the ears!
Be SURE to blow this up to see the musicians in the lower left corner!!
Stel, you are filling in well for Nighthawks!
Oh wait, this is Thursday! Sorry!
Stel Bel: All of the extras are enjoyable. The third is a great take on the cowboy genre from a realistic woman’s perspective. Excellent.!
The second extra, of course, is Glen Campbell, making clear that the whole cowboy gig was a sham by that time.
“I’m an Old Cowhand”, of course, is also about a sham cowboy gig, .. and it’s much older…
I remember when it had new popularity in the 70’s, when it sung by Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks.
I had that album. The Lickette who sang it was the great Maryann Price. Nice new version of the lyrics.
Thanks, Dennis !!
There is nothing I can say about this poster that hasn’t already been said, and better, by others. Heck, I want to see the movie!
Thanks, LM !!
Love this… Roy was a childhood hero… and Dalmatian Evans has never looked lovelier.
When I was a little kid, I loved all the movie and television cowboys… Roy Dog-ears may have been my favorite…
Hopalong Bassety would have run a close second.
We had cowboy records at home that we listened to constantly… some made just for children… and we loved musicals…
But we hated the singing interludes in cowboy films, because they interrupted the action.
…
We watched Roy Dog-ears every week on TV… I loved his horse, Trigger, and his dog, Basset.
Later, I loved the 1960’s TV cowboys too.
But I guess I drifted away… it’s been a long time since I watched a western.
I think that is why we ended up in Montana! We live among the cowboys and their rich history! We can all watch this movie at a local cowboy bar while munching on some great chicken.
I love it when you reminisce! Thanks, SS !!
Good morning Balladeers, (((((Plods))))) and Miss Susan!
Good morning, basset philm lovers!
Loved the westerns growing up. Great poster Stel.
Whoa…Hey Trigger how many nationals do we have today? Trigger says one.
NATIONAL I LOVE HORSES DAY
NATIONAL GIVE SOMETHING AWAY DAY
NATIONAL GUMMI WORM DAY
NATIONAL PET FIRE SAFETY DAY
NATIONAL TAPIOCA PUDDING DAY
NATIONAL GET TO KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS DAY
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Y’all eat a gummie. (((((HuGz!)))))
gummi worms
You can’t believe I “liked” this song? well I really didn’t. Just giving points for finding it and posting it.
Still………………blech!
the great Secretariat
seems like it was Tapioca day not that long ago
I think Tapioca Day is becoming a monthly celebration!
I’ve been a life long fan of Roy Dog-ears! (shhh…..don’t tell MMM. He’d never guess) And the Pups of the Pioneers! You’d never watch a good Western without them singing about ‘Water’. Thanks for the great poster, Stel. Brings back lots of fond memories.
Happy Trails!
Ken CURtis was a lead singer for the Pups of the Pioneers (before he became Fido Haggen on Gunsmoke).
Well, now…..that’s interesting!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, ML!! Thanks!