Teddy Bears' Picnic

[George Lewis]

Hi All,
Can't believe it's 5 yrs ago that we (with Tony Kiek) visited the UK, experienced such wonderful hospitality and had such a great time.
I often used a few bars from TB'sP to hurry Tony's intros or help the resident MC off the stage which was always greeted with "more .. more" !

Recently thanks to charitable gigs at local retirement/seniors/old age villages, I finally got round to recording what is probably their favourite .. close tie with Lil Marlene , Danny Boy, Stardust and FBI !
As a pop tune they don't get much older (1907). The BT and arrangement was actually more difficult to put together than the melody and is available on request.

Hope you enjoy ...
http://www.box.com/s/gg2kjrx6kj1nqy333pc8

Cheers
George

[John Boyd]

Loved it. Thanks for posting a gem George.
I seem to recall your fellow Aussies The Atlantics also recorded a version way back in the 60's.
Cheers,
JB

[Phil McGarrick]

Hi George - What a classic ! and played in the way that we all like. No wonder the gigs at local retirement/seniors/old age villages went down well I'm sure this must have been a highlight.
Great backing track which I can see must have taken lots of work and very fitting and excellent lead playing.
Loved it ! Cheers Phil

[rogera]

Hello George - what a super recording !!

The arrangement was just perfect and I enjoyed every second.

[George Lewis]

Hi John, Phil and Roger,
Thanks very much for having a listen and glad you enjoyed it.

This is the one that gets the old folks up into their walkers/wheel chairs and prancing around. A sight to warm one's heart.
I usually hit 'em with Thing Me Jig before they can catch their breath

John, yes the Atlantics did a version in the 60's in their own breakneck speed surf style, I think called The Teddy Bears Picnic Stomp.

cheers
George

[littlelinnie]

Hi George
Absolutely loved it I wish I could come to one of your Shindigs

Regards Lynn

[George Lewis]

Hi Lynn,
Glad you enjoyed it. I would love to see you at one of our local retirement gigs ...looks like you might qualify in 20-30 yrs.
Be warned at that time I may be away attending The Shads' 75th anniversary tour !!
Best wishes
George

[Stratpicker]

Hi George
Absolutley superb!!
Great fun - and much harder to play than it sounds, I'll bet.
Loved it!!
Do I detect a TK involvement here in the BT?
cheers
ian

[George Lewis]

Hi Ian,
Thanks and check your PM.

Great fun - and much harder to play than it sounds, I'll bet.

I find it quite tricky .. but I'll be very interested in your findings.

TK influence ... absolutely.
This was one of my first attempts at a BT from scratch so armed with a working copy of the midi arrangement, I set off to visit Tony in his Jindabyne mountain retreat.
Watching (and helping ?) him modify the drums and add harmony OD guitar riffs was great fun .. especially since each note required lubrication !!

Definitely a collaboration .. though mostly ME
Regards
George

[kipper]

george that was great, really enjoyed it. i would never have imagined it sounding like that brilliant stuff. peter