MA-150 - National Anthems

Happy Independence Day to all and sundry!

As somebody said on a talk show earlier this week, “This nation was founded by imperfect men and based on an ideal of liberty.”  I’ll agree with that.  Our country is not perfect, but its ideals of equal opportunity, personal choice, and self-determination are second to none.

Heck, you don’t even have to be an American to get that!  Vide Tracks 22 or 26, both by Britishers.

01 - The Star-Spangled Banner - Reuben Guevara - 1978  (3:45)

02 - Long Long Ago - Merry-Go-Round Records - 1959  (2:45)
03 - There's a Service Flag Flying at Our House - Sterling Trio - 1918  (3:09)
04 - On the 4th of July - James Taylor - 2002  (3:24)
05 - America, Communicate with Me - Ray Stevens - 1970  (3:12)
06 - American Flag on the Moon - Brad Paisley - 2014  (3:49)
07 - Yankee Doodle Blues - Billy Murray & Ed Smalle - 1922  (2:56)
08 - Dixie & The Bonnie Blue Flag - Classical Brass - 1991  (2:25)
09 - Where the Stars and Stripes and Eagle Fly - Aaron Tippin - 2001  (3:44)
10 - Because All Men Are Brothers - Peter, Paul and Mary - 1965  (2:09)
11 - Only in America - Jay and the Americans - 1963  (2:01)
12 - National Emblem March - Tommy Dorsey - 1943  (3:00)
13 - Cool Water - Sons of the Pioneers - 1959  (2:08)
14 - America - Waylon Jennings - 1984  (3:24)
15 - Brother, Can You Spare a Dime - Rudy Vallee and His Connecticut Yankees - 1931  (3:39)
16 - The Immigrant (dedicated to John Lennon) - Neil Sedaka - 1975  (3:46)
17 - We Must Be Vigilant (American Patrol) - Hour of Charm All-Girl Orchestra - 1942  (2:51)
18 - Bugle Call Blues - Jack Pettis and His Pets - 1929  (2:42)
19 - It's America - Rodney Atkins - 2009  (3:29)
20 - Barnum and Bailey's Favorite - United States Army Band - 2012  (2:26)
21 - America Is My Home, Part 1 - James Brown - 1968  (3:20)
22 - Melting Pot - Blue Mink - 1969  (3:47)
23 - Alexander's Ragtime Band - Joe “Fingers” Carr - 1956  (2:07)
24 - Home on the Range - Gene Autry - 1947  2:37)
25 - Battle Cry of Freedom - John Williams and Chicago Symphony Orchestra - 2012  (2:14)
26 - Country Dances - The Swingle Singers - 1991  (3:30)

Here’s hopin’ you can draw a little celebration, inspiration, and even good ol’ American silliness from your heart as you listen.

MA-150 – National Anthems -- NEW 2021 LINK

... And I’ll see you back here on Monday!
 

Much Ado About Holmes

In 1968, an amazing book was published.  Amazing to Holmseians such as I … The Annotated Sherlock Holmes.  Here's the ad in the New York Times Book Review section:

... And here’s their review:

A few years later, Reader’s Digest described someone a lot like our favorite consulting detective:

And in 1980, the World Press Review published a breathless revelation of I-don’t-get it.  If you can boil down the substance or intent of this piece into a sentence or so, please let me know!

And come back on this Thursday, the glorious Fourth, for a new music compilation celebrating our great land!