History, Music, The Baboon Congress

A Late Great Morning Show Revival

166 Comments

Today’s guest post comes from Sherrilee

At Blevins Book Club last weekend, a small pocket of us were reminiscing about some of our crusty old favorites from The Late Great Morning Show.  Most of us are still Radio Heartland devotees, but don’t hear the oldies but goodies as often as we’d like.

So it’s time for a LGMS revival!  If we pull together a list of titles, Mike will get them organized and we’ll have a rousing couple of hours of songs that elicit some of our great memories from over the years.  After we get the list to Mike, he’ll let us know the date and time.  No guarantee that he’ll be able to find all our titles and I’m assuming we’ll come up with way more titles that can fit into a couple of hours, but I think we should give it a shot.

I’ll start us off with two:  The Mary Ellen Carter by Stan Rogers and Canned Goods by Greg Brown.

What song do you miss from the LGMS?

166 thoughts on “A Late Great Morning Show Revival”

  1. Oh, my! There are too many songs for two hours, too many by far. Little Potato. Old Love. The Field Behind the Plow. Turning Toward the Morning. Easter Island Head. Waltzing With Bears.

    How will you narrow the list down?

    I’d be interested in hearing some of those songs that were played a lot and yet didn’t–for whatever reason–make it to any compilation disk. One of the most moving songs I’ve ever heard was a LGMS classic for years, and yet younger listeners might not know it. “When My Boat is Built Again” was sung by Cormac McCarthy (the New England folkie, not the writer). The song is way beyond “beautiful.” It tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a sailboat. He eventually acquires a family and a job, but even then he is obsessed with “my boat, my liquor and me.” Then his love for liquor does him in, and he has some kind of crisis. Then he describes himself looking down on his wife as she sleeps alone, “your hair lit by the moon,” and he asks how he could ever have thought he could have lived a good life alone. It is a whole novel, told in a few song lines.

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      2. And “Hard Shove” (“we don’t like them, anyway) and “Old Glove” from a live show on the Mississippi, iirc. I threw rocks for the rock skipping contest, and did terrible. The next year, I won the rock skipping contest in Rochester. Still have the trophy from Jim Ed somewhere in my basement.

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  2. This is Most Excellent!!!!!!!

    Please oh please Mike let this happen before school starts so we can hear the whole thing.

    Slow Down Krishna

    Under the Quarter Moon

    The Isle of St Helena

    Then there was a song about (I think) the funeral procession of an old farmer. Maybe someone with a better brain who wasn’t driving to day care at the time will know this.

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        1. I like the lines:

          I’m saving money, they tell me down at the hardware store
          They know me by sight down there
          I save hundreds of dollars there every week

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  7. Great idea and initiative, vs, thanks. Mike will surely have his work cut out for him in whittling down the list baboons will proffer over the weekend. I trust the suggestions will range from silly to sublime, just like the LGMS.

    I’d like to suggest anything by Peter Mayer. He has several wonderful songs, one of my favorites is Japanese Bowls:

    Holy Now, or Blue Boat Home would also do nicely.

    In the that same vein, I love Julie Gold’s From a Distance.

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  8. Little Bit of Cucumber
    Something by Ann Reed. Tired Old World and Push the River are favorites of mine.
    The Peter Ostroushko song about the Red Dancing Shoes.
    Kitty Popcorn
    Muscle in the Bud
    Dark Old Waters
    Something by Lou and Peter Berryman.
    Beautiful Sea Holy Lake
    If Wishes Were Fishes

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        2. I was kinda thinking Why Am I Painting the Living Room, too. I’m also fond of Older Than Everybody (“If I don’t get the discount, sonny, no one gets the discount”) and Beer and Cheese and Snow. 🙂

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  10. The lovely Rossini Cat Duet

    What’s He Doing In There

    A Proper Cuppa Coffee linked with The Logger

    And the s&h would want me to mention the Husquvarna Chainsaw (he still laughs when we see a sign for Husquvarna on a hardware store).

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  11. Gandolph The Thanksgiving Turkey (I may have mis-titled it) sung by Jim Ed Poole to the tune of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.
    The concluding lines go:
    “Then how the reindeer loved him, and they shouted out with glee, “Gandolph the Thanksgiving turkey! It was better you than me!”

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    1. Might need to slide in a bit of Puccini when we think Dale isn’t listening in honor of Tom/Jim Ed (who, as I recall, would reserve Puccini for the days he was without Dale).

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  14. Oh wow, what a great idea! And to give credit where it’s due, we’re talking about Mike Pengra, who besides producing RH is the drummer for City Mouse… 1/3 of the Dream Team (Dale, JimEd, and Mike)…

    Y’all have already listed lots of my favorites. I’d vote for
    Feet of a Dancer (Maura O’Connell?)
    something by the McGarrigles, maybe the NaCl song:

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  16. Anything by Flanders and Swann, Israel Kamakawiwo’le (yes I looked it up) “Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World,” Peter Mayer’s “John’s Garden,” and this one is long from Richard Shindell (and at least I think I heard it on LGMS):

    Or this one by Mr. Shindell:

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  18. Oh, I ‘ve been longing for the old songs of the LGMS, too. What a great request. Yes, seconding Lake Baikal by a Russian male chorus, Turning toward the Morning by Bok, Trickett and Muir, and my annual work anniversary request (forgot this year, must be retired) Tall Buildings by John Hartford. And all the other above requests!

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  21. MERMAN ALERT!!! MERMAN ALERT!!!

    Doesn’t really matter what, but she doesn’t get near the air time she should.

    Still remember, “she’s not bad, if you’re in the other room”….

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  23. * I like it here/oh cold and misery by Charlie Maguire (although it’s really best played on a really cold morning, not in the summer)
    * Fall is here by Charlie Maguire
    * Wood River by Connie Kaldor
    * If wishes were fishes by Eric Bogle
    * Don’t fence me in
    * anything by Mary Black (I’m having trouble remembering specific songs)
    * Garbage by Pete Seeger

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  25. Rise and Shine Baboons!

    Ann Reed, State Fair Song #1

    And when will this be?

    Really what I want is the State Fair show back in Action.

    A blog topic, yes?

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  28. Not a song, but are there any ‘Incredible Betty’ episodes floating in the ether someplace accessible?
    (And it seems like this was discussed once upon a time and they were not MPR property or something???)
    I liked the theme music. Can we hear the theme music?

    Were there other mini-drama’s? Was there something about a college president? Or was that part of Incredible Betty?

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    1. I loved Incredible Betty! I think when I asked once a piece of the puzzle is that some of the voices from the episodes are equity actors and so there gets to be a bit of a tangle because of that. Alas. I remember calling my friend Juan just about every morning so we could talk about the Incredible Betty episode from that day.

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    2. A google search turns up some old sketches on the MPR web-sight.
      Forgot about Bowzer Bed, mouth pigeons, or Spendy Popper; the drug company.
      Fun to hear Jim Ed’s voice…
      Or the ‘mon back’ brothers moving company or the crew that would clear ice dams from your roof.

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  31. Hey all – I’ve started working on the list so from here on out, try not to put any titles in REPLY – or I might miss them. Just add on comments at the end.

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  32. Many, many ideas already listed. As I write one down, another enters and then leaves my mind.
    Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm
    99 1/2 Won’t Do
    Easter Island Head
    Seconding Anna’s suggestion of Flanders & Swan (Hippos, In the Bath, the one based on the Mozart Horn concerto, etc.)
    Househusband Macho

    What a wonderful idea. I hope I’m not computerless when this happens. I will be pretty disconnected computer-wise for the next couple of weeks (completely this coming week)
    So I’ll say ta-ta for at least a week as I head for BelovedCamp. I hope to come back with blog post idea(s).

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    1. Have a great time, Lisa. You could jump start that Danish thing by going to tonight’s midsummer celebration. We’ll be leaving shortly. Gotta make sure that witch gets burned.

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  34. I get this wrong every time (possibly because I am always overcome with grief by the end), but you all know what I mean-Ballad of Harriet Miner.

    (S&h assures me someone will correct me)

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  35. Oh my, what a fabulous idea! Second to everything above and let’s add:

    Harry Belafonte – Banana Song (daylight come and I want to go home)
    “Dance Chiquita Dance” or something like that (another Harry Belafonte song I think)
    “Lime in the Coconut”
    “Everything I Do is Going to Be Funky From Now On” by Michael Ducet(?) or even better by Willie Murphy
    “I’ve Got My Helmet On” (not sure of title — either Nylons or the Bobs)
    Anything else by the Nylons or the Bobs

    Thanks, Sherrilee. Can’t wait to see this happen.

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  36. Ooh! What fun you have had today. I have been busy in Lutheran meetings and a pow wow in Twin Buttes,ND. I have a couple of guest post ideas . Will join the conversation tomorrow.

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    1. Mike was still doing that on Radio Heartland for quite a while. Guess I’m not sure if he still is as I haven’t had the radio on at that time.

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  40. Star Carol. Don’t remember who sang it, but it was recorded at a concert at Goshen College. Anybody know the singer?

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  41. I still miss that a cappella choir singing, “In the cool of the day.”
    Fred Smalls, “Hot frogs on the loose!”
    Bok, Muir, & Trickett, “Wild birds.”

    I will never forget the Dr. Kyle Genway spot where he made cantaloupe with the DNA of a Cocker Spaniel, so it would hop out of the refrigerator when you came home and jump around your legs to remember you to eat it before it went bad. Dale asked Dr. Kyle if people wouldn’t have a hard time slicing open a cantaloupe that was acting like a Cocker Spaniel. There was this unplanned, extended pause of silence and then Dr. Kyle breaking up and turning back into Jim Ed as he quickly said that they were working on it. I nearly drove into the ditch when I heard it. Obviously, a slightly unscripted moment that caught Tom off guard.

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    1. Ultimately, Mike P. will picking them all. I don’t mean the lot, but it’s obviously up to him to cull this extravagant list. We know you can do it, Mike.

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  45. Thought I’d for sure see one of my LGMS faves here by now: “My Favorite Spring” by Tom Paxton. Still chokes me up hearing that at the beginning of the baseball season.

    And, of course, anything by Eva Cassidy, Connie Evingson, Ella Fitzgerald. And speaking of female singers, what about the least nerve-rattling song Ethel Merman sang and the boys played? (preceded as required by law, I do believe, by the obligatory robotic “Warning!”)

    Chris in Owatonna
    (was gone last week or would have commented sooner. Hope I’m not too late.)

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  46. when it starts off with greg browns best song i know the list is going to be pretty complete.
    i ended up thinking of quite a few and having them picked off by you guys.
    i am left with
    the lulaby by connie kaldor (its that the one mentioned shewrote for her daghter)
    new jersey girls y john gorka
    chicago cubs fan last request
    white wino by louden wainwright
    i feel good by james brown
    pink martini
    spaghetti western string band
    lucy koklanski
    claudia schmidt
    kate wolf
    mississippu jiohn hurt
    the water is wide
    spider john keorner
    bobby mcfarrin dont worry be happy wizard of oz
    theres a light something something mary margeret
    youve lost that loving feelong
    yoyo ma bach cello concertos
    you are my sunshine by peter ostrushuhko
    and the thanks for the initial introduction to the classical and world music that went away later int ehshow but will remain as plugged into my heart even though it was disallowed. kind of like the morning show.
    thansk dale and mike and heres to tom who made us all smile all those years wioth both garrison and dale. now theres a man who can be the best among varied circumstances.
    i still remember dales note about the letter from ned beaty commenting on how cool the premise for the morning show was. to start on a topic and follow it through artists and lonks and odd relationships. we were very lucky for a long time. nice to be apart of it. thanks dale. well done. bravo.

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        1. Girls from New Jersey who have that great big hair
          They’re found in shopping malls, I will take you there.           That’s from I’m From New Jersey.

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  47. by the way the list started with canned goods by greg brown echoed by clyde with his reference to grandma put it up in jars, that songs initial offering was on a live album form the cedar riverside cafe that was gregs first. i dont know how to instruct oyu to get a listen to that one but if you run across it it is worth the search.
    i sure enjoy greg brown and the list could go on for quite a while with ust greg brown songs. i assume the song from iowa waltz singing about feed caps is one that all you iowans relate to.

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    1. Yep, that’s right. Would also love Just a Bum – I can just hear it:

      Someday when all his stuff is gone and he’s left
      without a dime
      Time ain’t money when all ya got is time
      And you can see him standin on the corner with a nine-
      day beard and bright red eyes”

      with Priscilla whatshername harmonizing on the chorus .

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  49. yes it was the mills brothers. and if we are stuck on a f\day with no ne blog topic its a good da to be stuck. or maybe dale is giving us his editorial comment. hey dale you can add your favorites too.

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        1. Actually, if you look under “My Site” you’ll see that two blogs are pending but none is scheduled, so I think Dale may simply have taken the weekend off – perhaps even skipped town.

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    2. Clearly I made a mistake here. Just turning my attention to it now – do you want the post to go up today, or should we save it for a fresh start on June 23rd?

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      2. I second saving it for tomorrow, not because I don’t think Clyde’s blog isn’t a big deal, but because it may not get the attention it deserves if it is posted this late in the day.

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  51. Speaking Greg Brown reminded me of his lovely song about being rich in daughters. Don’t have one myself and no sisters, but it always conveyed such love.

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  52. Greg had at least two great songs about morning coffee, too.

    BTW, expect to hear about Oregon in the news this week or soon after. We’ve had a record hot and dry spring and seem poised for wildfires. We will get above 100 degrees F this weekend.

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      1. I love the one where he sings to his wife about how she can actually get up, much as she thinks she cannot. He has made coffee and is willing to coach her through the waking up process, opening one eye at a time.

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  53. I’m glad this post is still up, because that gives me a chance to vote for The Java Jive. I’m not sure which version TLGMS used, was it Manhattan Transfer?

    If the show airs during the work day I won’t be able to hear it, since work blocks all streaming media and I am without smartphone. Radio Heartland isn’t archived, am I right? I’m sure It Would Be Very Wrong for someone to record the show for those of us without access…

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  54. OK, WAY off topic, but I was just looking for our Baboon recipe section that used to be under Blogroll – what was it called? Anyway, Jim had a great Vichyssoise recipe that I may want to try if it stays hot and humid…

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  55. I have listened to Bill Staines’ “Heart Alone” numerous times when shuffling my iPhone playlist, and it never fails to remind me of the Morning Show. I miss it immensely.

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      1. Hi PlainJane! I’ve become a very intermittent lurker on Trail Baboon but could not resist this string. For some reason I’ve been thinking about the old Morning Show so often these days…

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        1. Glad you decided to join in; the more the merrier. As you know, this is a pretty casual group, and we welcome all comers to give their two cents worth on whatever we’re discussing. Hope to hear more from you.

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    2. is there a way we can post them somewhere and revisit and play on an ongoing continual basis or does that require maintenance and upkeep?

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  59. Daughter and family are in D.C. Today. Went to air space museum. At supper time they were walking the mall by the Washington monument. Tour leader told them they had overbooked tickets. Gave them four tickets for they next group. Had a ball.

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  60. could we make 3rd weekend music weekend where we discuss and suggest , if we keep notes for the download on a monthly basis it would be a great list. this isnt bad but ill bet it would become something to reckon with if it had a home

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