Happy Music ?

Subject: Happy Music ?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 08:06 PM

I suggested to somebody recently that if they feeling fed up they should listen to happy music, so what is your favourite "happy music"? (it dosent have to be folk just happy music) mine is
Lord of The Dance
Walking in Memphis -Mark Cohn
Annies Song -John Denver
Day by Day
Morning has Broken
Spring from the Four Seasons
The BBC Radio 4 Theme Tune (A medley of various tunes)

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Music ?
From: Justa Picker
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 08:23 PM

Anything by EARTH, WIND AND FIRE.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Music ?
From: Benjamin
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 08:46 PM

Hey! I was going to say that! Though After the Love is Gone is a very sad song!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Music ?
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 08:58 PM

The Sunny Side of the Street Singing in the Bathtub Chasin' Rainbows Ain't We Got Fun

When you are down and need a little cheering up put on some tunes from the 20's and 30's. They'll put a smile on your face, a spring in your walk, and sunshine in your day :-)

JAB

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: dwditty
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 10:24 PM

Glory of Love (Big Bill Broozy version)

Swingin' on a Star (Dave Van Ronk Version)

Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits)

Dat Dere (Oscar Brown Jr.)

I've Got a Feelin' (Beatles)

and about a million others.

dw

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: GUEST,khandu
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 10:29 PM

The complete "Will the Circle be Unbroken" by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band / guest

Foreigner Suite by Cat Stevens

Fishin' Blues-Taj Mahal

Anything by my son, Capt. J

khandu

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: dwditty
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 10:35 PM

Khandu, thanks. Add Will the Circle...to my list as well as Taj's Fishin' Blues, Cakewalk into Town, and Take a Giant Step, not to mention Ry Cooder's first 4 or 5 albumns...some Greg Brown, and, oh I forgot - Cyndi Lauper's version of Joni Mitchell's Carey...

dw

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Jeep man
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 10:37 PM

Most anything played on a banjo. It is very hard to pick a banjo and be sad. Jeep

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Mark Clark
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 11:01 PM

Surely the happiest music around is traditional Cajun music as played by the Balfa Brothers and Nathan Abshire. You just can't sit still while it's being played.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 11:10 PM

Odetta and most of De Dannan. Odetta's energy has helped clean my house more than once when I didn't really feel like doing it. Sweet Honey in the Rock is good too.

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Pseudolus
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 11:22 PM

Hey John,
Walkin in Memphis is an awesome tune. The rest of that CD is right up there as well with Silver Thunderbird and True Companion and pretty much all the rest !! :)

But in keeping with the question posed by the thread, my favorite feel good Happy Music usually comes from Jimmy Buffet, One Particular Harbor, Pencil Thin Mustache et al.....

Frank

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 11:22 PM

John, I love "Walking in Memphis"! It took me hours to be able to play that on the piano...something about the syncopation...I just had to learn hands separately, then let them go on autopilot! You (or *I*) don't hear the intricate rhythm just listening to Mark sing it.

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: davidg
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 11:24 PM

King of the road - Roger Miller Take me out to the ballgame I've been workin on the railroad New morning - Bob Dylan Winterlude - Bob Dylan White lightnin - George Jones Up on cripple creek - The Band Swingin on a star - Dave Van Ronk

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 11:30 PM

I'm insane. Happy music to me is when I'm in a session and I "see" the little dancers dancing in my head and they're all having a great time tapping feet in perfect time... Doesn't happen that often but to me the answer would be any good jig, reel, hornpipe, etc. in the right atmosphere.

Another happy music to me was when I used to do a bit of busking playing mostly morris dance tunes on melodeon and a kid passing by would just spontaniously skip or dance.

I don't get the same sort of buzz or happiness out of listening.

Jon

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: GUEST,knappo
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 11:44 PM

Here's one that's a bit different. "Happiness is being together" John McLaughlin with his band Shakti. A beautiful blending of acoustic music from India and the West (Euro-USA). One of the Happiest tunes I know of. How about "Shanty" Johnathan Edwards. Puts a smile on my face. Man, am I all over the musical map or what?!

dwditty- Dat Dere (Oscar Brown Jr.) Yeah! Man, That's a great one. I'd forgotten about that guy. Takes me back to good memories living with a few crazy roommates.

Good thread for me tonight. I was feeling crappy; burnt my popcorn! Tom

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Chip2447
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 02:00 AM

When my two year old niece asks her unca chip to sing the "bear nessities" so she can sing along is just about the happiest music I know.
Given a few years I hope to turn her on to the Mudcat.

C.J.s Unca Chip2447

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Sam Pirt
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 05:20 AM

There is a well known (in sweden anyway) happy tune called 'The Happy Tune' and guess what ITS HAPPY!!

Cheers, Sam

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: dwditty
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 08:01 AM

Just heard Ray Charles doing "That's Enough" on th eway to work. Add it to the list.

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Grab
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 09:59 AM

Lou and Peter Berryman's stuff. Those guys are evil geniuses of the funny song! Plus...

Ain't Misbehavin'
It had to be you
Take Five
Call me (and much other Blondie)
I give you the morning (and much other Tom Paxton)
Wonderful tonight

Graham.

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Angie
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 10:19 AM

'Get Rythm' by Rye Cooder...very happy song.

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: M.Ted
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 10:23 AM

Gutbucketeer,

You've got the right idea! And you too, Jon Freeman! Some of the rest of you have a warped idea of happy, particularly those who include a song with a line like "...when I saw that hearse come rollin'. for to carry my Mother away"--It is time forf you to get in touch with your feelings!

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Wesley S
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 10:38 AM

Cuban Salsa and Bluegrass . And somedays anything off the Antonio Carlos Jobim boxed set.

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Kim C
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 10:43 AM

Riders in the Sky!!!!!!!

When I worked at a furniture store, we had an Ottmar Liebert CD that would get us all dancin' when there weren't any customers around.

And Tom Petty's "Rebels." Hey hey hey...........

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: BobP
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 11:01 AM

What I call Lightstuff (non-depressing)

#1 would be Harry Nilsson, especially "Lime in the Coconut"

#2 Bob Gibson, especially "Makin A Mess of Commercial Success"

#3 Homemade collection of male/female duets (including lots of Ian/Sylvia).

Then: Beatles, Beach Boys, John Hartford & Mr. Buffett

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 11:28 AM

Any Chuck Berry, Early Beatles, Buddy Holly, Beach Boys, Buffett, Bob Marley, And the only Current Band on My List BARENAKED LADIES!

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 02:03 PM

Hey Frank and RobDale (fellow Parrotheads) - don't know where y'all are...BUT... the man (Jimmy Buffet) will be featured on the summer concert series on the Today Program this Friday, July 20!

Anybody not familiar with Buffet, read about him here,

and listen to his songs here.

I got a PBS mind in an MTV world.

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 02:08 PM

...and BobP too!

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Pseudolus
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 03:56 PM

I'll be watching, thanks Mary! I'll be watching in person on September 6th when he plays in Camden, kind of a yearly thing!!!

Frank

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Angie
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 07:05 PM

Have to agree with Rob, Barenaked Ladies 'Million Dollars' is brilliant.

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: RangerSteve
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 11:42 PM

The absolute happiest American fiddle tune ever is a tune called Texas Fair. It was recorded by the Leake County Revelers and has been reissued on the Document label. The second happiest fiddle tune is Happy Acres Two-step, I don't know of any recordings of it. (It's a Canadian tune, I think). Also, Buck Owens: Down on the Corner of Love, My Heart Skips a Beat, Tiger By The Tail, Waitin' in Your Welfare Line. Dean Martin: Memories Are Made of This, That's Amore. Anything by the Coasters. Anything by the Drifters. Almost anything by Fats Domino.

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 02:22 AM

If you wanna be happy - Jimmy Soul Better git hit in your soul - Davy Graham Take the A Train - Duke Ellington Happy Days Are Here Again - Big Ben Banjo Band Virtually any Armstrong 5 and & recording Little Richard etcetc The famous "too numerous to mention" etcetcetc

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: GUEST,Celtic Soul
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 10:00 AM

Bobby McFerrin (except the "Don't worry, be happy" song, which does not do his talents justice).

Anything that my sig/o and I played while we were courting, though for anyone else it might not have the same effect. :D

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 10:31 AM

Fish and Whistle by John Prine. Anything from the Beatles' early days.

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: BobP
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 10:40 AM

Can't believe I left J Prine off my list or Rosalie Sorrells either.

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: pavane
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 10:55 AM

Morris On and Son of Morris On. Makes you want to get up and dance (and worked on some non-folkie friends too)

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 03:03 PM

I thought of John Prine but his stuff always has a bit of irony. A little bit sweet and sour. Jim Croce and Tom Paxton have a mix of happy and otherwise. Neil Young on the other hand, in his 500 songs, has written few happy ones.

Remember the Lovin' Spoonful? Mungo Jerry, "In the Summertime?" Happy Happy stuff!

Sugar Ray and Foo Fighters have done some happy stuff.

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 03:59 AM

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: C-flat
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 05:37 AM

My favourite pick-me-up music has to be the Gypsy Kings. It's impossible to resist the rythym!

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Menita
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 07:21 AM

Hey John from Hull: We seem to be part of an exclusive club-I haven't come across many people who have heard the R4 Theme tune, I feel quite excited to know that some else knows it! Also do you lie awake at night listening to World Service? Have you heard the theme tune to "West Way"? I find that tune makes me happy and I do the little dance in bed that Gregory and his girl did in.. er.. "Gregory's Girl"!!

LA

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From:
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 07:23 AM

Singing in the Rain

Happy Trails To You

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 07:52 AM

Lucy Ann-Yes! I harldy ever watch TV so I have the radio on while I read Mudcat.Did you realise that one of the characters in Westway used to play Arthur Fowler in Eastenders? I often turn my radio up at 5.30AM to here the R4 theme tune, then listen to the shipping forecast.

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Menita
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 08:44 AM

John: Gosh isn't it exciting knowing you're not alone! I used to watch Eastenders when Arthur was in it, but now I've recovered from my addiction. I only listen to the Archers now (my only soap)-every Sunday morning I lie in bed with toast and coffee and indulge in the activities of Ambridge. Do you know "The Village Pump" is it a song by the way? Sorry I've wandered off the thread-please forgive 'Catters.

LA

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Hippie Chick
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 10:19 AM

Alice's Restaurant, Ring Around the Rosie Rag, Pause of Mr. Claus, Motorsickkle Song on "Arlo" City of New Orleans, by Arlo Guthrie; Bridge over Troubled Water, by Simon & Garfunkel; Battle Hymn of the Republic/Solidarity Forever, by Pete Seeger, Jane Sapp and Si Kahn; Let it Be, the Beatles; bluesy stuff by Led Zepplin; great music with misogynistic lyrics by the Stones and the J. Geils Band; I Got A Name, Jim Croce; anything by Peter Paul and Mary,John McCutcheon, the Weavers, Pete Seeger...........

The list goes on....

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Dorrie
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 12:07 PM

happy music ska punk definatley or abit of cheesy pop! and of couse 'homage'

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: BLUESMAN
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 01:36 PM

Hey, what about 'Sweet Home Chicago' (especially Magic Sams version)... or 'Why ya wanna do me like that ?' by Snooky Pryor (live version) a great blues harp tune. If you can find the live version out there you will agree I am sure !!!!!!

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Ian Darby
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 08:32 PM

'Plastic Jesus' King-Earl Boogie Band.

'The Glory Of Love' Joseph Spence.

'How Come?' Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance.

'Don't Pass Me By' Beatles.

'The Book of Rules' The Heptones.

'Royal Garden Blues' The Pigsty Hill Light Orchestra. (and most of their other stuff.)

'The Primrose Polka' Albion Band.

'The Ballad of WPC Sadie Stick/ The Ancient Briton/Flasher Jack & Annabelle at the Seaside' by Mike Absalom.

'The Mason's Apron' Dubliners, live version, (Banjo played by Barney Mc Kenna with John Sheehan on Fiddle.)

'The Drunken Mathematician' (Hornpipe? artist/writer not known to me), please help!

'Madame Bonaparte' (Hornpipe.)

Anything by Peter Tosh or Lee Perry.

'The Reel in the Flickering Light' Christy Moore.

'Jean Harlow' Paul King/Leadbelly.

'Mighty Man/Midnight Special' Mungo Jerry.

Most Creedence Clearwater and Tony Joe White Stuff.

Any Cajun Music.

Most stuff by Johnny Clegg.

'Urban Spaceman/Jollity Farm ' The Bonzo's.

'If I had To Do It All over Again' Dylan.

'What Do Doggies Do When They Get Bogies Up Their Nose?/Neptunes Lament' John Kirkpatrick.

'Fisherman's Blues' The Waterboys.

'Bob Dylan's 115th Dream'

Thanks for the thread John.

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: GUEST,T-boy
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 08:11 AM

Is it just me, but I reckon happy music is a waste of time if you're feeling miserable. It just seems so irrelevant and makes you jealous of all those happy idiots. What you need is a good wallow, something like Leonard Cohen, so you know there's somebody worse off than you.

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: C-flat
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 11:21 AM

After you with the razor blades T-boy!

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 02:36 PM

HOMMAGE!!!!!!!! Any punk/ska type stuff...me n dorrie like the same stuff lol!! Sam playing accordion, Ian playing Guitar or Box....the pack playing in general!! And 422 of course!! The session in the maltings in york....when most of the pack are there lol!!!!

Emma xx

Subject: RE: Happy Music ?
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 04:30 PM

I'm with M.Ted way back up there- I can't imagine lines like

Went back home; Lord my home was lonesome.
Missd my mother; she was gone.
All my brothers, sisters crying-
What a home, so sad and alone

as being a happy song!

Sometimes in a song circle we get into a bluesy, death and destruction mode. Eventually - when it gets to be my turn in the circle- my decree is that in the next round each one has to sing the happiest song he or she can think of. Usually breaks the mood.

Ebbie