The Time Capsule: Big band musicians are timeless classics

 This week I’ll be myself—old cranky, and out of touch—and ask a couple of questions no one has answers to. A few days ago we were on the road and picked up a station playing big band music, stuff from the 1930s and 40s. Benny Goodman was there, Fred Waring, Guy Lombardo—musicians who were making records before I was born. By the time I was old enough to be interested they’d largely given way to rock ‘n roll—Elvis, Buddy and others—and it wasn’t until years later that I began to appreciate the big band sound. Some may not like it, but even those of a later era must acknowledge there’s a quality, depth, a creation of combined talent that stands the test of time; as enjoyable today as it was for those who tuned in on a Westinghouse console that picked up as much static as music.      

With that in mind, I’d like you to listen to a few of the tunes on today’s hit parade. Take, for example, the song currently at #5. Entitled “Wiggle,” this rousing number features an artist who, for whatever reason, was named “Snoop Dog.”  (I suspect ‘Snoop’ is a nickname—either that or Mrs. Dog has unusual preferences.)

Regardless, don’t miss the video, which reveals a lot of flesh. The lyrics are profound, consisting of several repeats of this phrase:  “You know what to do with that big fat butt, Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle.” The video offers a close-up of a young lady’s derriere in vigorous motion, quite similar to the paint-shaking machine at our local hardware.    

Another modern classic is a Beyonce hit, which contains reference to her gown and a Monica Lewinsky mess.  Better you hear it than we print it.   Hillary will probably not have this tune playing as she takes the stage at campaign rallies.       

Hear them out, to the extent you can, and get groovy with a couple of top-ten rap numbers. When you’ve had enough. pull up the rocking chair, take a few minutes to relax and catch your breath, and play Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood,” or Paul Whiteman doing Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”  

Sure, every generation wants their own and wants it different and wants it to go farther and preferably be offensive to their elders. We all understand that. My question, though, is this: What’s next? What can kids growing up now someday catch their children listening to that could possibly offend them?  Might there be some slight chance of a cycle; that teens twenty years from now will shock and utterly disgust their parents by locking themselves in their rooms to listen to “Stardust” or “Sentimental Journey?” Maybe a re-birth of Lawrence Welk or Duke Ellington?

Okay, probably not.  

Roy Marshall is a local historian and columnist for the Red Oak Express. He can be contacted at news@redoakexpress.com.