Today's Song of the Day is from
"Classical Gas" seems to be something of a one-hit wonder as you hear almost nothing else from Mason Williams, though no charts I've found back this assumption. But it is an essential part of my iTunes playlist of instrumentals, Senza Vocale, and important enough, apparently, to have it's own Website. The first 20 seconds hook you and the next 30-35 seconds drag you up a cliff where the rest of the song blends horns, guitar and other strings with a light treatment on the drums to form what I would call a modern toccata. The guitar arrangement is the one element that clues the listener that this is not a baroque-period original.
Okay, that analysis could be codswallop. I have no musical education so the terms used and their application could be all wrong. But listen to the tune and you'll get my drift. It really is rather good track to get the blood pumping. Too bad it's only 3:08 long and that nothing else on the album compliments it's quality. Maybe this is why Mr. William's work seems to have gotten little attention. I was quite pleased to see it used in Cheaper By The Dozen (2003) during a sequence where the soundtrack needed to convey a sense of controlled urgency. This may not help his other music become more popular, but it many help introduce this wonderful piece to a new generation.
