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| Old Town Alexandria OAFS Photo |
Anyhoo, I also wanted to give Beans a break from carrying the load (which he has done magnificently) and I felt the urge to post something. Anything!
Beans' mentioning of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass the other day really sent me down memory lane. My parents had a number of his albums. This tune was a big favorite (me being a Taurus¹ and all ...)
Sounds very "south of the border," reminds of Sandy Eggo in some ways. Moi, The Missus Herself, and The Nuke in a Sandy Eggo eatery dining on very good Mexican food and being entertained by a strolling mariachi band some years back (like seven as I recall). Good times, good company, good food.
One of the benefits of being old (ish) is having lots and lots of memories, nearly all of them good. Been strolling memory lane a lot recently. It was good to hear that song again.
As for me, the status quo is being maintained, and for now, that's all I can ask for.
Be well, mi compadres.
¹ The astrological sign, not the car.
Most of the poor memories fade in time, they don't go away they just get dim. The good memories make you smile and pull to the front!
ReplyDeleteAmen!
DeleteGod, I wish the poor memories would fade away, but they stick with me like a slideshow of doom and destruction that I actively have to fight. Though if I work hard, the good slideshow of happiness and joy outshines the doom slideshow.
DeleteIf you have too many bad ones, they tend to stick around.
DeleteAnd those memories linked with music really have a hook to pull to the front don't they?
ReplyDeleteFunny how a song or piece of music will pop up and I can remember what I was reading and where.
DeleteNylon12 - They really do, certain smells work that way for me as well.
DeleteBeans - I'll remember the first time I heard it, but most of the music I listen to is already in my head all of the time anyway.
DeleteCan't get away from it!
I was 11 and learning the trumpet, in East County, San Diego in 1962 when that came out. I could play it, didn't master it. Very good memories indeed. ONLY regret of moving to Tennessee is no great Mexican food. Thanks for the memory jog.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great tune with many pleasant memories associated with it.
DeleteCrusty Old TV Tech here. Good deal, Sarge, good to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteThat pic of Alexandria (VA I assume) reminded me of a place we used to visit as a kid, Natchitoches, LA. Different architecture, but similar timeframe, late 18th century. Better food though I bet, Natchitoches Meat Pies, kinda the fusion of NWLA Redneck food and Spanish empanadas, yum! Beautiful place.
You know, speaking of evocative album covers and food, though that TJB "Whipped Cream and Other Delights" is a classic, so is ZZ Top's "Tres Hombres". Ever see the inner gatefold pic?
https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-daily-post/381129/
Who could top a picture of a babe with a bandoleer, a bottle of Southern Select beer, and voluptuous, voluminous quantities of top notch SE Texas Tex-Mex grub...oh, and a classic old radio, to listen to XERF (or KILT) on. Most excellent.
If that doesn't make your mouth water, well, I feel sorry for you! Food looks good as well.
DeleteBeans has been doing a magnificent job - I believe the current word the young people use is "clutch".
ReplyDeleteMany years ago (I was going to say "several", but time has gotten away more than I had thought) we did the grand historical tour of Virginia - Jamestown (original and recreation), Colonial Williamsburg, Mt. Vernon. It was actually far more moving that I had expected.
I agree with Rob - the bad ones tend to have the edges worn off in most (not all) cases, while the good ones get bright.
Thanks, been trying. Mrs. Andrew thinks I'm very trying...
DeleteThere are still a number of places I need to visit in the area. The vast majority are battlefields.
DeleteHey Beans, that's my line. 🤣
DeleteSarge,
ReplyDeleteSorry, not in agreement about "loving that Old Town". Too close to that other town and it's populated by people who corrupt that other town. Nope, not enough money in Elon Musk's petty change account to entice me to go back.
That having been said, the couple I usually babysat for at Webb, Capt Dave Mott and his lovely wife, were big fans of the Tijuana Brass and had all (?) their albums. I played them a lot after putting the kids to bed and trying to stay awake til they got home around 02-0300 ish. I loved listening to them.
As was said earlier, good memories last.
Odd, I never associate Alexandria and DC with those working for the Federal Gubmint. YMMV
DeleteHaving HAD to live in Alexandria and Arlington ( those things called "orders") those places are linked to my servitude there, but also to good times/ good friends, many also doing their penance tours. Any place has it's infestations though the ratio of good-to-bad in the District of Criminals tends to wax and wane depending on the majority/ minority numbers in .Guv
DeleteMany happy memories of Gadsby's and other historic sites.
Boat Guy
My experiences are all of the "just passing through" kind, so I never had to deal with those places on a day-to-day basis. Play the tourist, see the sights, then go home.
DeleteBut the historian in me loves that area.
I remember Herb and the Brass having TV specials in the sixties. My parents bought their albums for the Hi-Fi and I have a Greatest Hits CD . The best trumpeter I heard live was Maynard Ferguson. A girlfriend who was a music major dragged me to the show and boy I was glad she did.
ReplyDeleteWatched quite a few of those in my youth!
DeleteI meant to comment on the earlier thread, I grew up with my father listening to the same music, I enjoy Herb Alpert....Now who remembers Mason Williams and Classical Gas? I have a consultant engnieer that I call several times a month, the hold music is classical gas, I don't want him to pick up until I've heard more, I even told him to put me back on hold.
Deletewanted to add....hugh masekela grazing in the grass
Delete[Raises his hand ...] Me, I remember Classical Gas. Incredible tune, thanks for reminding me of it!
DeleteHugh Masekela and "Grazing in the Grass," another good one!
DeleteGlad to see your voice on these pages once more Sarge. Beans has been controlling himself marvelously well and we are all keeping our momentum going at the Chant.
ReplyDeleteI felt the need to chime in, editing the book is "fun" but I needed a break from that. Actually needed to write something, anything.
DeleteIs your work on Monsoor complete? If so, no more company funded SanDog trips I'd guess.
ReplyDeleteNowhere near done. Might get another trip out of it, hope so anyway.
DeleteAlexandria, VA played a large part in my life. Wine, women and song. Beer, women, and Scottish Dancing.
ReplyDeleteSaw my first E-Type Jaguar on Union St. in the early '60s. Bought my first firearms at Hunter's Haven (0 Prince Street). The Scottish Christmas Walk every December (our RSCDS group would dance the route). George Washington's Birthday Parade every February. The St. Patrick's Day Parade every March (don't even try to get into Murphy's or Ireland's Own). King St. News Stand (don't look behind the back curtain!). Gadsby's Tavern was the site of many a rehearsal or wedding dinner (and a quiet moment or 5 with a bridesmaid).
Now? What little parking there is cost 3 or 4 beers. All the gun stores (HH and Old Town Armory) have been run out by the pols. All the small shops and book stores have been run out due to high rents. There are sections of the city I wouldn't go w/o a Kevlar vest and a rifle.
Where do you live now?
DeleteOak Ridge, TN. Driven out of VA by Gov. Blackface and a (then) Dem controlled legislature.
DeleteHuge difference I imagine.
DeleteDo you remember the stereo system that your family listened to that music with? I grew up in that era and recall the big Zenith, RCA or Philco-Ford console stereos. The Apollo 100 song makes me think of Kraftwerk, Autobahn. I thought they were both unusual songs at the time.
ReplyDeleteJim
It wasn't one of the big console setups, that much I remember. Had friends though whose parents had that sort of thing.
DeleteSurprise-Surprise, Gadsby's Tavern! A regular stop on several elementary school field trips.
ReplyDeleteBorn & raised in 1940's Alexandria, Virginia. Among an abundance of historical landmarks, Gadsby's Tavern stands out. It was the 4-star lodging & eatery of it's day. After a busy day, George Washington was known to overnight there rather than make the 5-6 mile ride to Mt.. Vernon. In colonial time, Alexandria was a major seaport on par with other east coast locations. To avoid the tax-man and nosey-Rosey's, the Tavern had a basement smuggler's tunnel to the then much closer Potomac River. Now all but covered over by extended shoreline.
I could go on if not "on & on", suffice to say that '50's Alexandria was a kids delight to explore on bicycle.
I've eaten at Gadsby's a number of times. Always enjoyable.
Delete