AatW + FWSO = Awesome Fun
My wife and I took my parents to the Bass Performance Hall in downtown Fort Worth today to watch Asleep at the Wheel (AatW) perform with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO). The combination of Texas-flavored Country Swing with symphony sound is something that can only be heard to be appreciated. And this mix was quite appropriately performed in Fort Worth (known as “Cowtown” ’round here).
Ironically, the band leader mentioned having one of their songs banned on London radio when the DJ read the title of the song “Big Balls in Cowtown”. As he noted, at the time the song was written in 1940, there was no other connotation for big balls other than large dance hall gatherings. Hence, it only speaks of the night out on the town in Fort Worth. The DJ, unaware of the older connotations and only focussing on the current interpretation of the phrase, refused to play the song.
Ah, what fun our own language plays on us with what used to be innocent phrases now taking on more objectionable interpretations. However, since it was Fort Worth, WE all knew what it meant and had no intention of ever banning that song from their choice of music to play.
It was a very enjoyable 2 hours even though we were on the back row in the upper gallery (believe me, it was quite loud up there, so we were thankful to not be on the front row). One of the highlights, in my opinion, was when the band played “Ode to Joy”. Although the symphony’s contribution to the song was lacking, the piece was quite beautiful.
I can wax eloquent all I want, but nothing can beat hearing it in person. I hope they release a part of this to CD sometime soon.
:)
