Music [trivia] question: Green Acres theme

Way too early on April 12, 2015 | Self

[re_nortex]

In another thread, I came across Donald Trump doing a passable job of the Green Acres theme. Here in the Dallas area, the Ticket sports station has their own variation of the theme.

My question to the vast collection of musicologists out there in FReeperland is about the instrumentation deployed on that familiar theme. What in the heck are those instruments that gave it such a distinct, rustic flavor? Was it Moog synthesizers or traditional string and woodwinds? I'll admit to being pretty much of an idiot when it comes to the "behind the scenes" stuff involved in creation of music as those who've encountered me on such threads can attest! :) It's all pretty much voodoo and magic to me.

[MV=PY]

"Its got electric guitar playing melody. It has a cross section of woodwinds. Oboe, bassoon, piccolo, flute etc. Nice arrangement for those. All of the backing music is symphony with an electric guitar playing melody on top of it."

Good ear. The percussion sounds orchestral, and the xylophone adds a zaniness to it.

As I recall, a lot of the TV shows of that era started with orchestras and added "hip" new sounds like electric guitars.

Of course it's way before my time... ;-)

[kjam22]

Yep... thanks, music is my deal :)

[Conan the Librarian]

Look up Vic Mizzy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vic_Mizzy)

The “Porkarana” noise is a bass harmonica.

Mizzy (who also did the Addams Family) loved odd music.

If you ever get to see the movie “The Spirit is Willing” that’s another one by him.

[re_nortex]

Look up Vic Mizzy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vic_Mizzy). The “Porkarana” noise is a bass harmonica.

Thanks for that good information and I appreciate everyone who participated in this thread. I sure know a lot more than I did several hours ago because of the wide-ranging interests and intelligence of those in FReeper(s)ville, just down the road from Pixley. :)

[Windflier]

Geez, sorry for the tardy reply, but I usually turn in around midnight and don’t get back to freeping until after dinner the next day.

I haven’t read the thread yet, but I’m sure someone’s won the prize already :-)

[re_nortex]

I haven’t read the thread yet, but I’m sure someone’s won the prize already :-)

Thanks...as you can see the thread turned out much longer than I ever would have thought for such a trivial (but fun) subject. And I learned more than my lil' ol' brain could absorb about bass harmonicas, distorted guitars, jug band music and such. It just goes to prove that FReepers are definitely the most informed people this side of the universe on any and all topics: politics, sports, music and everything else.

[Windflier]

I learned more than my lil' ol' brain could absorb about bass harmonicas, distorted guitars, jug band music and such. It just goes to prove that FReepers are definitely the most informed people this side of the universe on any and all topics

You can say that again. It's why I love the sort of trivia thread you put up. I always learn the most amazing things by reading those. I mean, bass harmonica?

It never dawned on me that such an instrument even existed - though when I recall the Green Acres theme song in my head, I can clearly hear it. I think to myself, "well, of course!"

Thanks for opening up such an entertaining discussion.