Being able to dance is a wonderful. Being able to dance skillfully and gracefully is truly a gift.
For one whose dreams alone allow me to dance, I confess that I am rhythmically impaired. Two steps and I am lost.
But that does not take away the joy of dancing, of watching dancing. The best dance ever done took place on New Year’s Eve, 1979.
Our
daughter was about 4 ½ and our son “Johnny” had just turned one. We
always threw a ‘big’ party with our small children on that day. We let
them stay up until almost 10 PM and eat all manner of party foods.
We
put on our favorite music albums and artists, cranked the music up loud,
and we danced. We danced all over the house.
It was the Fleetwood Mac album when the real dance began. On stage, it is a little jagged, and I'd stop at about 2 or 3 min.
Fleetwood Mac in 1979, YouTube
On stage, it is a little jagged, and I'd stop at about 2 or 3 min.
While
still not too steady on his feet and clothed in a simple diaper, Johnny
was stunned by “Tusk”. He held onto the coffee table, and he danced.
And boy, did he dance! Perfect rhythm, into the music, shaking his head, singing as only a toddler can!
When
the sorta-free form drum solo kicked in, he stopped and waited for it
to be over. Then the music started again. And Johnny broke into dance
I have never looked at dancing the same. And I still get all happy when the Tusk album and Fleetwood Mac** are filling the air, with the drummer being the best part of the song. Drummers like Ginger Baker, John Bonham, Charlie Watts, Keith Moon....they set a standard that is a challenge to new drummers.
Drummer here is Fleetwood Mac, himself. This is a bit odd,
just wanted you to hear some of his skills.
I remember the video for "Tusk". I did not know what a marching band was. Little did I know less than a decade later I'd be doing that.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea about the marching band. I thought it was a strange touch, but this was the best quality video. You were in marching band? Good for you! My gr-daughter was a clarinet in the band. Lots of time on the field. It was impressive.
DeleteFleetwood Mac and the USC marching band do Tusk. Lots of drums.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrRVW-p8SJ8&ab_channel=evie1942
That would be awesome to see!
DeleteOnly having three left feet explains my lack of grace.
ReplyDeleteThe third will always mess you up.
DeleteGrowing up in a strict, and I mean strict, church, dancing was not allowed, as was makeup, jewelry and regular clothes that any one else would wear. So my dancing skills somehow disappeared.
ReplyDeleteMike suggested this youtube.com/watch?v=MrRVW-p8SJ8 site, which has the USC marching band (Trojans). Great.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like these clips although I do like Fleetwood Mac songs.
ReplyDeleteNot every one like them, for sure.
DeleteHi Susan - love the music ... no sense of rhythm = hopeless! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that your feet move like mine!
DeleteI love drums, always have, percussion is my thing. I love marching bands, but it is the drums I hear not the whole band. I can't dance well either but it doesn't stop me in my computer room. I put on my youtube play list to excercise and dance around for excercise. behind closed doors so to speak. I love Ariana because she has lots of drums and marching sounds
ReplyDeleteSounds like you and I could sit in the bleachers together.
ReplyDeleteIt's all about the beat isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWhen the Fleetwood Mac band got going, the drummer (F. Mac) drove the beginning. I love that.
DeleteI remember that song. They used a real marching band for the music. Not a dancer though.
ReplyDeleteAnd the first photo - naturally Neil Peart is in the middle! Best drummer ever.
A song from our young parenting ! It was a fun time. Mike sent me a better quality with the drummers.
DeleteSkillful dancers are a joy to behold, and skillful drummers equally so as well as to listen to.
ReplyDeleteIt always bothered me that Karen Carpenter was one of the world's best drummers, they would make her record drum tracks for every song, sometimes several of them, then Throw Them Away!
I haven't danced in so long I doubt that my feet would know how to follow each other!
ReplyDeleteBeen way too long since I last danced. Tush was one of my favorite albums back in the days.
ReplyDeleteI saw a Babylon Bee "story the other day that a black Christian "missionary" was going to white churches to teach them to clap on beat. I replied, "Good luck with me..."
ReplyDelete