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Post by Jim Boylston on Aug 16, 2007 22:42:12 GMT -5
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that today was Fess Parker's 83rd birthday, a man that introduced many of us to the Alamo story.
Tomorrow, the 17th, is David Crockett's birthday.
Jim
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Post by witlesstex on Aug 17, 2007 12:02:27 GMT -5
Fess Parker is still alive? I thought he died decades ago.
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Post by Jim Boylston on Aug 17, 2007 12:18:09 GMT -5
Fess is in the prime of life, a California vintner and hotelier. Thanks to Bill Chemerka, a number of us were privileged to meet Fess a couple of years ago in San Antonio. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word. And a big man.
Jim
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Post by Herb on Aug 17, 2007 12:58:10 GMT -5
Not too many men make me feel little, but he sure did!
I'm 6' 3" and it seemed like I was standing next to a skyscraper!
Extraordinarily graceful, he was absolutely swamped by middle aged men acting like kids, and he had a kind word for everyone and stood in every picture requested.
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Post by billchemerka on Aug 17, 2007 21:51:09 GMT -5
Not too many men make me feel little, but he sure did! I'm 6' 3" and it seemed like I was standing next to a skyscraper! Extraordinarily graceful, he was absolutely swamped by middle aged men acting like kids, and he had a kind word for everyone and stood in every picture requested. Your description is exactly on target! Well said. |
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Post by sloanrodgers on Aug 17, 2007 23:28:51 GMT -5
Today is also my sister's birthday, but she could care less about Davy or Fess. My brother was born the day after the Alamo fell and is almost as apathetic. I on the other hand was birthed on the same day as the great Voltaire. Some might say this is very appropriate and others my curse. I like sharing the date though. I've never met Fess Parker, but really enjoyed his movies when I eventually saw them several years after they were made. He seems like a big, friendly and honorable guy. He certainly has inspired a great many people with just a few films.  |
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Post by Herb on Aug 18, 2007 9:59:55 GMT -5
Well, if you're ever lucky enough to meet him, the first lines of the theme song to his tv series Daniel Boone, will play in your head!
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Post by sloanrodgers on Aug 20, 2007 20:52:36 GMT -5
Of course I've heard the Davy Crockett Ballad, but I don't believe I've ever heard the Boone Ballad. How does it go Wolf?  |
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Post by Allen Wiener on Aug 25, 2007 18:08:08 GMT -5
If you get hold of any of the DVDs from Parker's "Daniel Boone" TV series, you'll hear it at the start and close of each episode. Fess also recorded it with several other songs for an LP years ago. A very catchy tune, but it never made the splash that the Crockett did (but, then, how many songs ever did??).
AW
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Post by Jim Boylston on Aug 25, 2007 21:37:22 GMT -5
That Fess LP was reissued on CD a few years ago by Bear Family, a German label that specializes in archival material.
It came with a booklet of extensive liner notes.
I first bought this record back in 1964, so it was nice getting to have a nice, clean copy again.
Funny, I took the booklet with me to SA in '04 hoping that by some slim chance I'd be able to get it autographed. When I met Fess I forgot all about it!
Jim
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Post by sloanrodgers on Aug 25, 2007 23:46:53 GMT -5
Maybe I can find the lyrics somewhere, but no promises.
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Post by Jim Boylston on Aug 26, 2007 0:15:38 GMT -5
RR: The song starts with the lyrics: "Daniel Boone was a man, yes a big man..." I know 'em all, but this is the phrase to which Wolf referred.  Jim |
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Post by Herb on Aug 26, 2007 10:13:13 GMT -5
Sorry, RangerRod, missed your question, but Jim got it right!
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Post by sloanrodgers on Aug 26, 2007 10:56:32 GMT -5
Sorry, RangerRod, missed your question, but Jim got it right! That's okay Wolf. I found the complete song. It doesn't sound very catchy from just reading it. I guess the main point of the ditty was that Daniel Boone was a big man, but I'd like to hear it some day. P.S. Thanks Allen and Alamo. |
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Post by Jim Boylston on Aug 26, 2007 12:15:26 GMT -5
Well, RR, you asked for it. Here's a link to the lyrics and all 3 versions of the song that appeared over the credits to the TV series. www.danielboonetv.com/index.php?page=theme_song_lyricsNone of these feature Fess singing, but these are the versions with which most people are familiar. The verse about the frozen river (in the printed lyrics) has never appeared on any version I've ever heard, but Fess's recording includes a verse not listed here. Jim |
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