I heard that before his passing Mr. Welk was considering two other songs for his newer "hep" watchers.He was looking at doing versions of Ms. Pinky and Bobby Brown from the Zappa Catalog, true
I remember singing One Toke Over the Line in my fifth-grade public-school music class about the time this aired. I'm guessing in both cases, it was the call out to Jesus that made it acceptable, and the word "toke" wasn't widely understood at that time.
I went to Catholic school for 12 years. In 7th grade Mr. Schneider brought in his acoustic guitar and hit us with Plastic Jesus. Great day in my life, probably lead me to pick up the guitar a couple years later. Thanks Mr. S
Way Way off topic. I have the Barry Saddler Album somewhere. My sister has a 45 of this from when we lived in Germany in the 1960s. In hindsight Germany was still being rebuilt then.
Frank Sinatra's self-inflicted tough-guy-party-animal-Rat-Packer image was not only childish and tiresome, it belied the fact that he was well-read, thoughtful, and a committed free thinker. In this 1963 interview with Playboy magazine, Sinatra speaks frankly (sorry) about the hypocrisy and dangers of "the witch doctor in the middle"--his term for organized religion.
Playboy: All right, let's start with the most basic question there is: Are you a religious man? Do you believe in God?
Sinatra: Well, that'll do for openers. I think I can sum up my religious feelings in a couple of paragraphs. First: I believe in you and me. I'm like Albert Schweitzer and Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein in that I have a respect for life — in any form. I believe in nature, in the birds, the sea, the sky, in everything I can see or that there is real evidence for. If these things are what you mean by God, then I believe in God. But I don't believe in a personal God to whom I look for comfort or for a natural on the next roll of the dice. I'm not unmindful of man's seeming need for faith; I'm for anything that gets you through the night, be it prayer, tranquilizers or a bottle of Jack Daniel's. But to me religion is a deeply personal thing in which man and God go it alone together, without the witch doctor in the middle. The witch doctor tries to convince us that we have to ask God for help, to spell out to him what we need, even to bribe him with prayer or cash on the line. Well, I believe that God knows what each of us wants and needs. It's not necessary for us to make it to church on Sunday to reach Him. You can find Him anyplace. And if that sounds heretical, my source is pretty good: Matthew, Five to Seven, The Sermon on the Mount.
Playboy: You haven't found any answers for yourself in organized religion?
Sinatra: There are things about organized religion which I resent. Christ is revered as the Prince of Peace, but more blood has been shed in His name than any other figure in history. You show me one step forward in the name of religion and I'll show you a hundred retrogressions. Remember, they were men of God who destroyed the educational treasures at Alexandria, who perpetrated the Inquisition in Spain, who burned the witches at Salem. Over 25,000 organized religions flourish on this planet, but the followers of each think all the others are miserably misguided and probably evil as well. In India they worship white cows, monkeys and a dip in the Ganges. The Moslems accept slavery and prepare for Allah, who promises wine and revirginated women. And witch doctors aren't just in Africa. If you look in the L.A. papers of a Sunday morning, you'll see the local variety advertising their wares like suits with two pairs of pants.
Playboy: Hasn't religious faith just as often served as a civilizing influence?
Sinatra: Remember that leering, cursing lynch mob in Little Rock reviling a meek, innocent little 12-year-old Negro girl as she tried to enroll in public school? Weren't they — or most of them — devout churchgoers? I detest the two-faced who pretend liberality but are practiced bigots in their own mean little spheres. I didn't tell my daughter whom to marry, but I'd have broken her back if she had had big eyes for a bigot. As I see it, man is a product of his conditioning, and the social forces which mold his morality and conduct — including racial prejudice — are influenced more by material things like food and economic necessities than by the fear and awe and bigotry generated by the high priests of commercialized superstition. Now don't get me wrong. I'm for decency — period. I'm for anything and everything that bodes love and consideration for my fellow man. But when lip service to some mysterious deity permits bestiality on Wednesday and absolution on Sunday — cash me out.
Playboy: But aren't such spiritual hypocrites in a minority? Aren't most Americans fairly consistent in their conduct within the precepts of religious doctrine?
Sinatra: I've got no quarrel with men of decency at any level. But I can't believe that decency stems only from religion. And I can't help wondering how many public figures make avowals of religious faith to maintain an aura of respectability. Our civilization, such as it is, was shaped by religion, and the men who aspire to public office anyplace in the free world must make obeisance to God or risk immediate opprobrium. Our press accurately reflects the religious nature of our society, but you'll notice that it also carries the articles and advertisements of astrology and hokey Elmer Gantry revivalists. We in America pride ourselves on freedom of the press, but every day I see, and so do you, this kind of dishonesty and distortion not only in this area but in reporting — about guys like me, for instance, which is of minor importance except to me; but also in reporting world news. How can a free people make decisions without facts? If the press reports world news as they report about me, we're in trouble.
Playboy: Are you saying that . . .
Sinatra: No, wait, let me finish. Have you thought of the chance I'm taking by speaking out this way? Can you imagine the deluge of crank letters, curses, threats and obscenities I'll receive after these remarks gain general circulation? Worse, the boycott of my records, my films, maybe a picket line at my opening at the Sands. Why? Because I've dared to say that love and decency are not necessarily concomitants of religious fervor.
Playboy: If you think you're stepping over the line, offending your public or perhaps risking economic suicide, shall we cut this off now, erase the tape and start over along more antiseptic lines?
Sinatra: No, let's let it run. I've thought this way for years, ached to say these things. Whom have I harmed by what I've said? What moral defection have I suggested? No, I don't want to chicken out now. Come on, pal, the clock's running.
Easy Wind, I have one of those old Buddah Records "Essential" double albums of Brewer and Shipley and it's a treasure. So much good stuff. Got one for Steve Goodman also.
Jerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead was brought in to play played steel guitar on the Tarkio sessions. He didn't play on "One Toke Over The Line," but did appear on "Oh Mommie I Ain't No Commie""...
The Tarkio album that One Toke Over The Line appears on features future JGB members John Kahn and Bill Vitt as the rhythm section on all tracks. Mark Naftalin of the Butterfield Blues Band plays the keyboards. Nick Gravenites (who played with the Electric Flag, Janis Joplin, and Mike Bloomfield) produced the record. Steve Barncard (who co-produced American Beauty and David Crosby's If Only I Could Remember My Name) engineered the album.
That Sinatra interview was a great read. Thanks for posting it.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skyjunk
I heard that before his
I heard that before his passing Mr. Welk was considering two other songs for his newer "hep" watchers.He was looking at doing versions of Ms. Pinky and Bobby Brown from the Zappa Catalog, true
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: nevermind
I remember singing One Toke
I remember singing One Toke Over the Line in my fifth-grade public-school music class about the time this aired. I'm guessing in both cases, it was the call out to Jesus that made it acceptable, and the word "toke" wasn't widely understood at that time.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skyjunk
I went to Catholic school for
I went to Catholic school for 12 years. In 7th grade Mr. Schneider brought in his acoustic guitar and hit us with Plastic Jesus. Great day in my life, probably lead me to pick up the guitar a couple years later. Thanks Mr. S
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: donster
I have said "Sweet Jesus" a
I have said "Sweet Jesus" a few times whilst trippin balls
Will that get me on TV?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Zzzzzz
Yes
Yes
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Don Volume
If you get the chance, check
If you get the chance, check out the "Live from the Avalon Ballroom" set;
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: r n
Lawerence Welk Village is
Lawerence Welk Village is still alive 45 minutes North of San Diego on the 15
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jazfish
I also always get a kick. I
I also always get a kick. I think the accordion dude knows. That cough in the intro.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jazfish
Way Way off topic. I have the
Way Way off topic. I have the Barry Saddler Album somewhere. My sister has a 45 of this from when we lived in Germany in the 1960s. In hindsight Germany was still being rebuilt then.
Odd one
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5PJ56nBzQ9k
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: donster
From 1966 More than weird,
From 1966 More than weird, Jaz
Germany was all about being peaceful after their behavior in the first half of the 2oth century, Some habits die hard, I suppose
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: joy
Frank Sinatra's self
Frank Sinatra's self-inflicted tough-guy-party-animal-Rat-Packer image was not only childish and tiresome, it belied the fact that he was well-read, thoughtful, and a committed free thinker. In this 1963 interview with Playboy magazine, Sinatra speaks frankly (sorry) about the hypocrisy and dangers of "the witch doctor in the middle"--his term for organized religion.
Playboy: All right, let's start with the most basic question there is: Are you a religious man? Do you believe in God?
Sinatra: Well, that'll do for openers. I think I can sum up my religious feelings in a couple of paragraphs. First: I believe in you and me. I'm like Albert Schweitzer and Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein in that I have a respect for life — in any form. I believe in nature, in the birds, the sea, the sky, in everything I can see or that there is real evidence for. If these things are what you mean by God, then I believe in God. But I don't believe in a personal God to whom I look for comfort or for a natural on the next roll of the dice. I'm not unmindful of man's seeming need for faith; I'm for anything that gets you through the night, be it prayer, tranquilizers or a bottle of Jack Daniel's. But to me religion is a deeply personal thing in which man and God go it alone together, without the witch doctor in the middle. The witch doctor tries to convince us that we have to ask God for help, to spell out to him what we need, even to bribe him with prayer or cash on the line. Well, I believe that God knows what each of us wants and needs. It's not necessary for us to make it to church on Sunday to reach Him. You can find Him anyplace. And if that sounds heretical, my source is pretty good: Matthew, Five to Seven, The Sermon on the Mount.
Playboy: You haven't found any answers for yourself in organized religion?
Sinatra: There are things about organized religion which I resent. Christ is revered as the Prince of Peace, but more blood has been shed in His name than any other figure in history. You show me one step forward in the name of religion and I'll show you a hundred retrogressions. Remember, they were men of God who destroyed the educational treasures at Alexandria, who perpetrated the Inquisition in Spain, who burned the witches at Salem. Over 25,000 organized religions flourish on this planet, but the followers of each think all the others are miserably misguided and probably evil as well. In India they worship white cows, monkeys and a dip in the Ganges. The Moslems accept slavery and prepare for Allah, who promises wine and revirginated women. And witch doctors aren't just in Africa. If you look in the L.A. papers of a Sunday morning, you'll see the local variety advertising their wares like suits with two pairs of pants.
Playboy: Hasn't religious faith just as often served as a civilizing influence?
Sinatra: Remember that leering, cursing lynch mob in Little Rock reviling a meek, innocent little 12-year-old Negro girl as she tried to enroll in public school? Weren't they — or most of them — devout churchgoers? I detest the two-faced who pretend liberality but are practiced bigots in their own mean little spheres. I didn't tell my daughter whom to marry, but I'd have broken her back if she had had big eyes for a bigot. As I see it, man is a product of his conditioning, and the social forces which mold his morality and conduct — including racial prejudice — are influenced more by material things like food and economic necessities than by the fear and awe and bigotry generated by the high priests of commercialized superstition. Now don't get me wrong. I'm for decency — period. I'm for anything and everything that bodes love and consideration for my fellow man. But when lip service to some mysterious deity permits bestiality on Wednesday and absolution on Sunday — cash me out.
Playboy: But aren't such spiritual hypocrites in a minority? Aren't most Americans fairly consistent in their conduct within the precepts of religious doctrine?
Sinatra: I've got no quarrel with men of decency at any level. But I can't believe that decency stems only from religion. And I can't help wondering how many public figures make avowals of religious faith to maintain an aura of respectability. Our civilization, such as it is, was shaped by religion, and the men who aspire to public office anyplace in the free world must make obeisance to God or risk immediate opprobrium. Our press accurately reflects the religious nature of our society, but you'll notice that it also carries the articles and advertisements of astrology and hokey Elmer Gantry revivalists. We in America pride ourselves on freedom of the press, but every day I see, and so do you, this kind of dishonesty and distortion not only in this area but in reporting — about guys like me, for instance, which is of minor importance except to me; but also in reporting world news. How can a free people make decisions without facts? If the press reports world news as they report about me, we're in trouble.
Playboy: Are you saying that . . .
Sinatra: No, wait, let me finish. Have you thought of the chance I'm taking by speaking out this way? Can you imagine the deluge of crank letters, curses, threats and obscenities I'll receive after these remarks gain general circulation? Worse, the boycott of my records, my films, maybe a picket line at my opening at the Sands. Why? Because I've dared to say that love and decency are not necessarily concomitants of religious fervor.
Playboy: If you think you're stepping over the line, offending your public or perhaps risking economic suicide, shall we cut this off now, erase the tape and start over along more antiseptic lines?
Sinatra: No, let's let it run. I've thought this way for years, ached to say these things. Whom have I harmed by what I've said? What moral defection have I suggested? No, I don't want to chicken out now. Come on, pal, the clock's running.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: dj_easy_wind
Some may not know that Jerry
Some may not know that Jerry Garcia Produced and played Pedal Steel on the Brewer & Shipley original "One Toke Over The Line"
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: donster
Blackrock & Easy Wind ....
Blackrock & Easy Wind .... your posts made my day! Jerry on One Toke - really? And a spiritual dissertation from Frank Sinatra?
Gawd, I love this board...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
Easy Wind, I have one of
Easy Wind, I have one of those old Buddah Records "Essential" double albums of Brewer and Shipley and it's a treasure. So much good stuff. Got one for Steve Goodman also.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Def. High
One Toke Over The Line by Brewer & Shipley
Songfacts
https://www.songfacts.com › facts › one-toke-over-the...
Jerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead was brought in to play played steel guitar on the Tarkio sessions. He didn't play on "One Toke Over The Line," but did appear on "Oh Mommie I Ain't No Commie""...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
The Tarkio album that One
The Tarkio album that One Toke Over The Line appears on features future JGB members John Kahn and Bill Vitt as the rhythm section on all tracks. Mark Naftalin of the Butterfield Blues Band plays the keyboards. Nick Gravenites (who played with the Electric Flag, Janis Joplin, and Mike Bloomfield) produced the record. Steve Barncard (who co-produced American Beauty and David Crosby's If Only I Could Remember My Name) engineered the album.
That Sinatra interview was a great read. Thanks for posting it.