Jump to content
HAPPY NEW YEAR, TO ALL OUR HARMONY CENTRAL FORUMITES AND GUESTS!! ×

Mason Williams


Flapz

Recommended Posts

  • Members
Posted

As a newbie here, I thought I'd introduce myself via the guitarist who changed my life... Mason Williams

Long ago and far away, (1968 ), I wanted a particular stereo amp that a neighbor had for sale. As a typical teen with limited moola, the guy made me a deal. He was trying to expand my musical horizons past

  • Members
Posted

The Mason Williams Phonogragh album was one of my first albums - I think I had the 45 of Classical Gas, as well. I loved it then, and still like Classical Gas, though I haven't heard it for awhile.

 

There were some other good things on the LP. I remember Baroque-a-Nova, an attempt to re-capture the magic of Gas. Also some funny stuff. Something about "The Prince's Panties", which I think turn out to be his dogs.

 

The album featured a large poster of a bus.

 

Haven't really followed him since then, though. I'm sure he's done alot I don't know about, but seemed a bit of a one-hit wonder as far as pop music.

  • Members
Posted

Yea, although he did an album with Manheim Steamroller, he never really had another breakout. Works with orchestras mostly methinks.

 

Did ya ever hear Some of his love songs, like

  • Members
Posted

:eek: Oh My God!!! :eek:

 

(And by the way... I quit! :D )

 

Stunningly good stuff. THANK you for the link!

 

I've got SO much to learn!

  • Members
Posted

I remember seeing Mason play "Classical Gas" on the Smothers Bros. show on a classical guitar made of (presumably) plexiglas...with a large goldfish swimming around inside it.

 

Now THAT'S showmanship! ;)

 

Been a huge fan ever since!:)

 

The Prince's Panties (as best I recall the words)

 

There was once a prince who acted strangely in that

He thought life was stupid and it was for him so

He made up a world in which he liked the things we liked

But he had different reasons why he liked them

 

He liked butter for its color

He would order toast and color

Waitresses, confused would utter

Sir, I've never heard of toast and color

 

He'd get angry and begin to choke them

The law would come, and they'd arrest and book him

So his life was a mess of trouble

Still he kept it up

 

He had dogs, a hundred cocker spaniels and he

Called them panties, 'cause they did that mostly, and he

Did not care at all if they would bark and fetch sticks

Run and jump, roll over, and play dead tricks

 

No, he liked them only for their panting

So he would run the little buggers ragged,

But one day they chased him up against the fence

And the prince was eaten by his panties!

 

(I do this tune at almost everyone of my gigs, and it always gets a laugh! :))

  • 3 months later...
  • Members
Posted

Yup... I've added a life goal:

See TE play live.

His closest playing date to Tejas this year seems to be in Louisiana...

So I'm Cajun country bound!

  • Members
Posted

His face is VERY familiar. I'll need to do some research, but I'd be willing to bet that he's played with the Houston Symphony Orchestra recently, or does so on a regular basis.

  • Members
Posted

Mason Williams is a very interesting guy. He was the head comedy writer for the Smothers Brothers Show, and Tommy Smothers got him an audition with a record company for "Classical Gasoline" - which was mistakenly shortened. I too love the Tommy Emmanual version - what a monster!

 

Mason also hired Steve Martin as a writer. Somehow, even with a hit show, the budget wasn't big enough for another writer, so Mason paid him out of his own pocket. I have a compliation bluegrass banjo album with a few cuts from Mason.

  • Members
Posted

Originally posted by Terry Allan Hall

I remember seeing Mason play "Classical Gas" on the Smothers Bros. show on a classical guitar made of (presumably) plexiglas...with a large goldfish swimming around inside it.


Now THAT'S showmanship!
;)

 

Love that kind of 60s/70s cheezeball showmanship, LOL! :D

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...