Lyons Busy 1949-12-12 Lyons Busy

Summary

Podcast Summary: Lyons Busy
Harold's Old Time Radio
Release Date: March 15, 2025

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Episode Overview

In the "Lyons Busy" episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, listeners are transported to the vibrant post-war era, capturing the essence of the Golden Age of Radio. The episode seamlessly blends engaging musical performances with insightful discussions on rhythm and jazz evolution, all while maintaining the nostalgic charm of a time when families gathered around the radio for entertainment.

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Opening Remarks

The episode kicks off with host Mike Johnson setting the stage for an evening filled with diverse rhythms and musical explorations. He highlights the unique blend of performances and discussions that listeners can expect throughout the show.

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Musical Performances

1. Introduction to the Jazz Trio

At [01:25], Dave Brubeck introduces his trio, showcasing a seamless integration of piano, drums, and bass. The trio's expertise in progressive jazz sets the tone for the night's musical journey.

Dave Brubeck: "With forays into the progressive land of jazz, Barbara Richie compounds joy with her songs."

2. Barbara Richie's Captivating Carol

Adding depth to the musical lineup, Barbara Richie delivers a captivating carol that resonates with the audience. Her harmonious vocals complement the trio's instrumental prowess, creating a mesmerizing auditory experience.

3. Jane Smith's "Fascinating Rhythm"

One of the standout performances is Jane Smith's rendition of "Fascinating Rhythm." Her soulful interpretation brings new life to the classic tune, engaging listeners with every note.

Jane Smith:
"Fascinating Rhythm got me on the go
Fascinating rhythm I'm all a quiverin'
What a mess you're making the neighbors wanna know..."
[05:28]

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Host Discussions and Insights

1. Exploring Rhythmic Diversity

Host Mike Johnson delves into the intricacies of rhythm in music, emphasizing its foundational role in various genres. He encourages listeners to appreciate the complexity and versatility that rhythm brings to musical compositions.

Mike Johnson: "Rhythms we've now heard both crazy and fascinating and rolling surf to boot. But let's be a little bit more explicit right here. The rhythm of the four. Four is a pretty basic thing. Four beats to the bar."
[08:19]

2. The Evolution of "How High the Moon"

Mike takes the audience on an analytical journey through the evolution of the classic song "How High the Moon." He traces its roots from early American art forms like ragtime and boogie-woogie to its transformation under the influence of swing and bebop.

Mike Johnson:
"Let's explore an old hunk of thematic material. How High the moon. Now this then, the Department of Jazz Evolution Lecture Course 1A and all that. An astronomical bit of research..."
[08:19]

He further discusses the societal and musical shifts that influenced the song's adaptation over the years.

3. Light-Hearted Banter and Humor

Interspersed with musical discussions, Mike and Jane engage in playful banter that adds a light-hearted touch to the episode. Their humor keeps the conversation lively and relatable.

Mike Johnson: "Like rhythm, Dave. Make it real. Well, yes. Look at us. We're off like a scattered herd of aardvarks tonight. Crazy."
[01:54]
Jane Smith: "Crazy. That thing's toupee."
[01:54]

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Notable Quotes

• Mike Johnson:
  "Wondering someone visits your home in person on Christmas Eve."
  [01:01]

• Jane Smith:
  "Nothing on Earth gets dirt like surf."
  [07:29]

• Mike Johnson:
  "Rhythms we've now heard both crazy and fascinating and rolling surf to boot."
  [08:19]

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Conclusion

"Lyons Busy" masterfully encapsulates the spirit of the post-war era, blending nostalgic musical performances with thoughtful discussions on the evolution of rhythm and jazz. Hosts Mike Johnson and Jane Smith guide listeners through a rich tapestry of sounds and stories, ensuring an engaging and memorable listening experience. Whether you're a longtime aficionado of old-time radio or a newcomer eager to explore, this episode offers a delightful journey back in time.

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Note: This summary intentionally excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the episode's main discussions and performances.

Transcript

[John Doe]

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[Jane Smith]

Monday night, 6:00.

[Mike Johnson]

Hey, if it's something a little different, well, you're no friend. On the stepped up tempo of this nervous post war world, things are lots of different. There are hundreds of little round and sometimes jolly men in red dropping by parachutes from planes and riding jeeps and sitting even in store windows and looking out at you from TV sets. Isn't it rather wonderful knowing that on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus himself will visit your home in person?

[Dave Brubeck]

If you want a different little something in the way of music, then stay around for Lion's busy 30 malleable minutes with which these people here do wonders. Dave Brubeck and the trio with Dave there on piano, Cal Jader's drums and vibes, Ron Croty's bass. With forays into the progressive land of jazz, Barbara Richie compounds joy with her songs. And from his midnightly perch in this cage comes Jimmy Lyons on a nun disc caper. Oh yes, we even transcribe a commercial somewhere.

[Mike Johnson]

Hey, chromium eyes, can you cook? Swell. Let's cook up something different for tonight. Dave and the guys in Barbara are off on a rhythm route this episode. All kinds of rhythms for your inspection. To follow the first selection, all you have to do is to stand with your feet very close together, your back straight and your arms upraised. And now slowly lift both legs off the floor together. Slowly. Gee whiz, you did it, huh? Crazy, huh? Like rhythm, Dave. Make it real. Well, yes. Look at us. We're off like a scattered herd of aardvarks tonight. Crazy. That thing's toupee. Hey, do you enjoy reading those fascinating little tidbits in the papers? You know, like the fact that the Otis Elevator Company office in some eastern city is a one story building. Or the one the other day about the family whose pet is a parrot. And just recently they seem to have gotten a cuckoo clock somewhere. And promptly the parrot learned how to make like a cuckoo but not to tell the time. And now the family is just a little bit concerned because whenever they sit down to dinner, it's always 15:00. That's pretty fascinating. Kind of like Barbara. Richie. A real captivating carol. Right here with our Barbara. Fascinating, too. Rhythm that is.

[Jane Smith]

Fascinating Rhythm Got me on the go Fascinating rhythm I'm all a quiverin'what a mess you're making the neighbors wanna know why I'm always shaping just like a sliver each morning I get up with the sun Start a hype Never stopping to find at night no work has been done I know that once it didn't matter but now you're doing wrong when you start a pat so unhappy Won't you take a day off Decide to run along somewhere far away off and make it snappy oh, how I long to be the guy I used to be Fascinating rhythm Won't you stop picking on me?

[Mike Johnson]

Sa.

[Jane Smith]

You know when you start a pattern I'm so unhappy don't you take a day off Decide to run along somewhere far away off and make it snappy oh, how I long to be the guy I used to be Fascinating rhythm Or won't you start picking on me?

[Mike Johnson]

Yeah. Fascinating little jigger, that thing. You know, Bobby, I'm kind of sure they designed that tune originally for a deep sea diver. He brought along his own air hose. Where do you breathe in that thing? Anyway, let's all jump into the surf, shall we? Right here. Nothing on Earth gets dirt like surf.

[Jane Smith]

Nothing on Earth gets dirt like surf.

[Sarah Lee]

A wider, brighter family wash Than any.

[Jane Smith]

Other soap or surf yes, nothing on.

[Sarah Lee]

Earth gets dirt like surf no other soap or suds known Will get your family wash as white as bright as wonder Working surf. S U R F surf sails into dirt Rolls out every trace of grease and grime Gives billows of busy suds even in hardest water. Rich, deep suds that get deep. The clinging dirt that lazy suds, miss. Surf even floats away, miss so the whitest, brightest wash on Earth yet. S U R F surf. Another fine product of Lever Brothers Co. Try it and see for yourself.

[Jane Smith]

Nothing on Earth gets dirt like surf.

[Mike Johnson]

No, nothing on earth gets dirt like.

[Jane Smith]

Surf My family wash it's brighter now and brighter than it ever was. Nothing on earth yes, dirt like surface.

[Mike Johnson]

Rhythms we've now heard both crazy and fascinating and rolling surf to boot. But let's be a little bit more explicit right here. The rhythm of the four. Four is a pretty basic thing. Four beats to the bar. Sample, please, gentlemen. Intriguing type sample. Now, I guess everybody knows what the waltz form is. And here's a delightful old melody that Rogers and Hart conceived originally as a waltz. Dave and the Trio then displaying lover in a waltz form which switches and so very neatly. 2, 4, 4, this lover is. Hello. You had a mighty engaging little cakewalk all working for you. And lovers, since we've fooled around here quite some with rhythms tonight, why don't we explore an old hunk of thematic material. How High the moon. Now this then, the Department of Jazz Evolution Lecture Course 1A and all that. An astronomical bit of research. Let's make it how high the moon. Let's experiment marking perhaps its evolution through the channels of American music. This then, the Priston preamble. Well, now that for a little bit it's not quite so. Perhaps some of the early settlers might have questioned Hawaii. Two beat right there. Then somebody shouted, hey, roll that left hand man. Eight beats to the bar, the rollick and beat and a few flourishes there on top. And you still have high most virile ragtime and boogie woogie. A couple of those early American art forms flourished too. They still are, aren't they? Till they started to peel off that rough bark and jazz like industry became organized. And there emerged the era of swing. And one of its high priests, a guy named Lionel Hampton. No midnight hair, son. Swing, as they said, sure was the thing. But you know, in San Francisco we're pretty well known for our shimmering name rooms in our hotel now I guess you can just about anytime get somebody to wrestle you for a waltz. Even at How High the moon. Oh, that was lovely dancing, gentlemen. Then along came that very new word you remember in the musical patois not long ago. And every time somebody shouts bop. Little kids run into the arms of their parents and everybody runs for the hills. But consider this thing, pilgrim. In the glare of what just went by and that which follows should be not too disconcerting. The premise remains the same. Show em Ron.

[John Doe]

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