Listened to Mr. Hirt incessantly, once I decided to try playing trumpet in fourth grade. Jack King was the elementary school band leader. We practiced in a dark trailer, detached from the main school building. I had to learn how my Dad wanted LPs played on his turntable, and through his Heathkit Hi-Fi amplifiers. Yes, he made his own amplifiers. Tube type. He had a special paint brush to clean the dust off the records. He was particular, but for good reason. And, I, sadly, have mimicked that particular nature for many years, to the chagrin of my wife and kids.
Ths sixties were wonderful musically. Truly big bands, medium-sized bands, and so much talent. Twenty years removed from WW2, the big band era was recast in decadent yet tasteful explorations of melody and harmony. Those were the days.
------- Trying to simplify my life...
Posts: 6216 | Location: Commonwealth of Virginia | Registered: January 15, 2007
I remember the tune, and Al Hirt; but never knew the name of it. Was five years old then. Smurfstools had cool info on it when played on YT. It won a Grammy and hit #4 on the pop charts. And Al performed at the very first Super Bowl a few years later. Not bad.
Posts: 4086 | Location: Fairfax Co. VA | Registered: August 03, 2015
I think I still have that album on vinyl somewhere. I listened to a lot of Herb Alpert as well.
I built a solid-state amplifier from Dynaco along with a pre-amp and a tuner which was only a semi-kit. Good memories.
Heathkit was a real loss when they went under. I had some of their radio gear and got to operate other gear which friends owned. It was solid stuff and the directions were truly fantastic compared to what passes for instructions today.