mason williams, “overture”& “baroque a nova”
from; The mason williams phonograph record, 1968
The Mason Williams Phonograph Record was released in February 1968 around the time I was 12. The album included the instrumental “Classical Gas”, a huge hit featuring Williams on guitar backed by the Wrecking Crew. If you’re reading this you’re likely familiar with the tune but unaware that it was originally named “Classical Gasoline”. The album also included a life size poster of the Greyhound Bus shown on the cover. Three million copies sold and three Grammys.
Still with us at age 85, Williams other credits include an Emmy Award for comedy writing on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour where he developed the character of Pat Paulsen and hired an up and coming comedy writer named Steve Martin. He also has writing credits for Andy Williams, Glen Campbell, Dinah Shore, Roger Miller and Petula Clark. There was a brief stint as head writer for NBC’s Saturday Night Live in 1980*.
I suppose the album came into our house due to the popularity of “Classical Gas” but I loved listening to nearly all of the other tracks on the album. (Track 9, “The Prince’s Panties” would not be played on air today.) The opening “Overture” is a brief powerful statement of what’s to come. “All the Time” and “She’s Gone Away” are catchy pop tunes with great orchestral arrangements. “Long Time Blues” is a maudlin masterpiece.
For me, Mason Williams is much more than the “Classical Gas” guy. Hopefully The Bop Shop will spread some of that message. And if all you listen to is the above-mentioned Track 9, any disappointment or confusion is well deserved.
Steve Hart
