In what may be the most progressive step yet by our Governator, Arnold, this morning he issued a declaration that ...
"Given the scope and urgency of the ubiquitous banjo problem, it is with the greatest interest in the public good that I take this long over due action, and call an end to one of the greatest burdens our society has faced."
His comments and this new law reminded me of an old joke:
Q. "Why are there no banjos in Star Trek?"
A. "It's the future!"
>His comments and this new law reminded me of an old joke:
>Q. "Why are there no banjos in Star Trek?"
>A. "It's the future!"
I recently passed this on to a friend who promptly replied that the Star Trek Voyager series had a banjo in the theme music (I don't remember this) and that one episode actually featured a man playing a banjo. Is there no hope?!
Didn't I see Bodhran shaped space craft in one episode. The planet was playing all types of drums and were being attacked by aliens with laser penknives.
I suppose Picard's response would apply here when he was asked about baldness. "Don't you think by the 23rd century they would have a cure for male baldness?" His response was "By the 23rd century, everyone would be so enlightened as to simply accept baldness." I suppose they would accept banjos also. Have you seen all of the instruments on Star Trek from other planets?
In several TNG episodes characters played music, but it was nearly always 20th century music on 20th century instruments. I don't remember hearing a bit of 22nd century music.
What would a Klingon banjo look like? Would the Klingons have jokes about it?
I would suspect a Klingon banjo would be a bit "spikey" like their uniforms. Careful not to get cut or put an eye out. I think their form of "ribbing" involves taking out the ribs of someone joking about their banjos. The first episode of Star Wars had a bar scene full of muppets on steroids and weird instruments. I think I did see uillienne pipes.
Well everyone,..... I'm going to call a cease fire, as the news I am getting right now is that the Pope's health has turned for the worse. Best Wishes.
Clearly none of you have ever heard the recordings of Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner singing. (To use the term "singing" exceedingly loosely.) If they could live with that in the 23rd century, what's to stop them from tolerating banjos?
Speaking of Picard on the whistle ...
Anyone have the abc of the tune he played (great epi, BTW)? I recall seeing/hearing it somewhere in the interworld, but I'm too lazy to try to find it right now.
Zina, I'll have to admit Shatner put a little, er, something into Tambourine Man that Dylan himself couldn't have managed. And his poetry is every bit as awful as Nimoy's, which takes work (and which could be used as prima facie evidence to prove both men have Vogon origins).
But my vote remains with Nimoy doing "Come On Baby Light My Fire".
Banjo is probably descended from an African instrument, and represents an "improvised ," home-made source of music by people who did not have music stores and such. It was like a bodhran with a neck! Used first during American slavery. The banjo carries on a tradition of making music by "making do." the Irish certainly had to do that, and most of the instruments are "borrowed" from other cultures.Perhaps resistance to banjo playing comes from hearing someone struggle with a lesser quality instrument. Setup of the instrument, and ease of play can make a lot of difference. Also I wouldn't buy a real LOUD one, but one that still has some range in dynamics. Who are good tenor banjo makers?
>Have you seen all of the instruments on Star Trek from other planets?
One of my favorite episodes in The Original Series was "The Way to Eden," where Kirk et al encounter a group of 23rd century hippies (under the tutelage of a Yul Brynner-like psycho). If you recall, "Adam" -- the tall smiling surfer dude -- had an instrument that looked like a failed prototype of a giant crossbow; he'd twang those strings and press buttons up on the neck, which somehow enabled him to play an incredible array of chord changes. "Goin' to Eden! Yay, brother, yay!"
Best of all, though, was the "jam session" between Spock and one of the hippie chicks. Spock brought along his Vulcan lyre, which suspiciously sounded like a Farfisa organ. And the hippie chick? Her instrument was a gussied-up bicycle wheel! She'd pluck the spokes, and wow, man: surf guitar! Who wouldn't want to have those along at a session?
Do you reach?
We shouldn't forget (no matter how hard we try) Spock singing that faux folk song in the episode where they're captured by aliens with incredibly strong mental powers who, for some reason, decide to dress up as ancient Greeks. They "force" Spock and Kirk to make out with Uhura and Nurse Chapel, but in the interlude they command Spock to sing, tenderly, something like "Remember Young Girls, Tend to Your Wine" to Uhura and Chapel, who get all misty-eyed. (_I_ would've commanded him to sing "Verdant Braes of Scree," but that's just me).
Oh and Zina Lee, this one's for you:
MISTERRRR TAMBOURIIIIIIIINE MAAAAAANNNNN!
I'm sitting here subbing for our weekend rag, right? Got a story about Chris Ecclestone bowing out of Dr Who 'cos he reckons its too effeminate, and he doesn't want to run the risk of being typecase. So the headline I give it is, "Doctor Who's just too camp for me, dalek". And the revise sub thought it was hilarious (as did I, natch), and so too did the chief sub. But the publisher walked by and says, "Who's Doctor Who?" And so we explain. Then he says, "okay, but get rid of the dalek thing." so now it's "too camp for me, dear". Which isn't at all funny. Ay yai yai, I hate ignorance in bosses.
The banjo evolved from the African Harp. Yes, you can go to Lark in the Morning for pictures. It is basically a gourd with a long scale neck. It evolved through African American culture into the banjo along the Mississippi River, especially the New Orleans, Lousiana area. It evolved into a five string "clawhammer" banjo eventually, the type used in Bluegrass and Country music here. Most of the banjos commercially sold in the US are five string. You might want to start a separate (serious) thread-discussion about Tenor Banjo recommendations.
LOL Matty! hehehe -- how you suffer for your art. sts, I'll slap you upside the head next time I'm up in Boston, which should hopefully be someday fairly soon.
New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
In what may be the most progressive step yet by our Governator, Arnold, this morning he issued a declaration that ...
"Given the scope and urgency of the ubiquitous banjo problem, it is with the greatest interest in the public good that I take this long over due action, and call an end to one of the greatest burdens our society has faced."
His comments and this new law reminded me of an old joke:
Q. "Why are there no banjos in Star Trek?"
A. "It's the future!"
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Eliot
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
>His comments and this new law reminded me of an old joke:
>Q. "Why are there no banjos in Star Trek?"
>A. "It's the future!"
I recently passed this on to a friend who promptly replied that the Star Trek Voyager series had a banjo in the theme music (I don't remember this) and that one episode actually featured a man playing a banjo. Is there no hope?!
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Bob himself
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Did he mention Bodhrans ?
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by vboyer974
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Didn't I see Bodhran shaped space craft in one episode. The planet was playing all types of drums and were being attacked by aliens with laser penknives.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
curious, but what is this "banjo problem" in which the gov'nah speaks of?
Cheers,
Armand
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by armandale
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Isn't "banjo problem" a tautology?
# Posted on March 1st 2003 by dafydd
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Vat ist wrung wit der oonterschtanding uv der Governator? Ban jo lischen tudor speeches, der Kapschuns schooot be un.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Was there a tin whistle in Star Trek - The Next Generation?
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by GaryAMartin
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Yup, played by Picard, I think.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
I suppose Picard's response would apply here when he was asked about baldness. "Don't you think by the 23rd century they would have a cure for male baldness?" His response was "By the 23rd century, everyone would be so enlightened as to simply accept baldness." I suppose they would accept banjos also. Have you seen all of the instruments on Star Trek from other planets?
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
In several TNG episodes characters played music, but it was nearly always 20th century music on 20th century instruments. I don't remember hearing a bit of 22nd century music.
What would a Klingon banjo look like? Would the Klingons have jokes about it?
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Bob himself
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
I would suspect a Klingon banjo would be a bit "spikey" like their uniforms. Careful not to get cut or put an eye out. I think their form of "ribbing" involves taking out the ribs of someone joking about their banjos. The first episode of Star Wars had a bar scene full of muppets on steroids and weird instruments. I think I did see uillienne pipes.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Q: Did you hear what the banjo player got on his college entrance exam?
A: Drool.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by saltcast
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Wait until they change the constitution and he is President. That will put an end to April fools' because they may well be serious.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by bodhran bliss
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Excuse me while I hide my banjo. By the way, I have a Masters Degree. Does that sound a bit like you Bliss? Is this going to be a serious day for you?
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
MSSc in Irish Studies no less. That's why I know all about the North African celts, bodhrans and all that stuff.
Every day is "serious" for me.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by bodhran bliss
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Well everyone,..... I'm going to call a cease fire, as the news I am getting right now is that the Pope's health has turned for the worse. Best Wishes.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Clearly none of you have ever heard the recordings of Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner singing. (To use the term "singing" exceedingly loosely.) If they could live with that in the 23rd century, what's to stop them from tolerating banjos?
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by sara g
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
My favorite was William Shatner singing Tambourine Man, although Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds is another good'un.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Speaking of Picard on the whistle ...
Anyone have the abc of the tune he played (great epi, BTW)? I recall seeing/hearing it somewhere in the interworld, but I'm too lazy to try to find it right now.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by FyfferGuy
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Zina, I'll have to admit Shatner put a little, er, something into Tambourine Man that Dylan himself couldn't have managed. And his poetry is every bit as awful as Nimoy's, which takes work (and which could be used as prima facie evidence to prove both men have Vogon origins).
But my vote remains with Nimoy doing "Come On Baby Light My Fire".
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by sara g
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
". . .it was nearly always 20th century music on 20th century instruments."
There's good news and bad news. The good news is that in the future everyone will be into trad.
The bad new is that "trad" will be Stairway to Heaven and Freebird.
KFG
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by KFG
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
OK, I have more time than I thought. I found it here (and way more information than I really wanted):
http://beam.to/trekmusic
Full details about Jean-Luc/Patrick Stewart and the mysterious "Ressikan Flute": http://www.chiffandfipple.com/startrek.htm
Have I sufficiently labelled myself as a geek yet?
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by FyfferGuy
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
That's the episode where Picard lives a separate life, has kids, grows old, etc.?
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Bob himself
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Yep. That's the one.
Here's the tune:
T:Ressikan Melody
M:3/4
L:1/4
K:D
A>G F|d2 d|e2 a|f3 |e2 b|a2 g|f2 d|B3|
A>G F|d2 d|e2 b|a2 b/c'/|d'>c' b|c'2 a|f3- |f2 B/c/|d>c B|c2 A|B//c//B3|
I really need to spend more time at my real job ...
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by FyfferGuy
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Is that a "Ressikan melody", or is it a "tune", or do the words change their meanings in the future?
# Posted on April 2nd 2005 by Eliot
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
It's actually a Ressikan duck.
KFG
# Posted on April 2nd 2005 by KFG
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
What do you say to someone with an MSSc in Irish Studies?
Big Mac and Fries please!
# Posted on April 2nd 2005 by breandan
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
And sure isn't a banjo only a bodhran with an arm on it aspiring to be a musical instrument?
# Posted on April 2nd 2005 by breandan
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Banjo is probably descended from an African instrument, and represents an "improvised ," home-made source of music by people who did not have music stores and such. It was like a bodhran with a neck! Used first during American slavery. The banjo carries on a tradition of making music by "making do." the Irish certainly had to do that, and most of the instruments are "borrowed" from other cultures.Perhaps resistance to banjo playing comes from hearing someone struggle with a lesser quality instrument. Setup of the instrument, and ease of play can make a lot of difference. Also I wouldn't buy a real LOUD one, but one that still has some range in dynamics. Who are good tenor banjo makers?
# Posted on April 2nd 2005 by starlamae
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
>Have you seen all of the instruments on Star Trek from other planets?
One of my favorite episodes in The Original Series was "The Way to Eden," where Kirk et al encounter a group of 23rd century hippies (under the tutelage of a Yul Brynner-like psycho). If you recall, "Adam" -- the tall smiling surfer dude -- had an instrument that looked like a failed prototype of a giant crossbow; he'd twang those strings and press buttons up on the neck, which somehow enabled him to play an incredible array of chord changes. "Goin' to Eden! Yay, brother, yay!"
Best of all, though, was the "jam session" between Spock and one of the hippie chicks. Spock brought along his Vulcan lyre, which suspiciously sounded like a Farfisa organ. And the hippie chick? Her instrument was a gussied-up bicycle wheel! She'd pluck the spokes, and wow, man: surf guitar! Who wouldn't want to have those along at a session?
Do you reach?
We shouldn't forget (no matter how hard we try) Spock singing that faux folk song in the episode where they're captured by aliens with incredibly strong mental powers who, for some reason, decide to dress up as ancient Greeks. They "force" Spock and Kirk to make out with Uhura and Nurse Chapel, but in the interlude they command Spock to sing, tenderly, something like "Remember Young Girls, Tend to Your Wine" to Uhura and Chapel, who get all misty-eyed. (_I_ would've commanded him to sing "Verdant Braes of Scree," but that's just me).
Oh and Zina Lee, this one's for you:
MISTERRRR TAMBOURIIIIIIIINE MAAAAAANNNNN!
# Posted on April 2nd 2005 by sts
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
Grrr... speaking of scifi.
I'm sitting here subbing for our weekend rag, right? Got a story about Chris Ecclestone bowing out of Dr Who 'cos he reckons its too effeminate, and he doesn't want to run the risk of being typecase. So the headline I give it is, "Doctor Who's just too camp for me, dalek". And the revise sub thought it was hilarious (as did I, natch), and so too did the chief sub. But the publisher walked by and says, "Who's Doctor Who?" And so we explain. Then he says, "okay, but get rid of the dalek thing." so now it's "too camp for me, dear". Which isn't at all funny. Ay yai yai, I hate ignorance in bosses.
# Posted on April 2nd 2005 by Q
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
typecast not typecase. Bloody tyops.
# Posted on April 2nd 2005 by Q
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
The banjo evolved from the African Harp. Yes, you can go to Lark in the Morning for pictures. It is basically a gourd with a long scale neck. It evolved through African American culture into the banjo along the Mississippi River, especially the New Orleans, Lousiana area. It evolved into a five string "clawhammer" banjo eventually, the type used in Bluegrass and Country music here. Most of the banjos commercially sold in the US are five string. You might want to start a separate (serious) thread-discussion about Tenor Banjo recommendations.
# Posted on April 2nd 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: New state law: Banjos outlawed in California
LOL Matty! hehehe -- how you suffer for your art. sts, I'll slap you upside the head next time I'm up in Boston, which should hopefully be someday fairly soon.
# Posted on April 2nd 2005 by Zina Lee