Pat Blythe – Boom boom tsst – Part 3….Come Ride with Me….and music

…..and the cymbal saga continues. Here’s an interesting little tidbit. Ever heard of the bock-a-da-bock? Me either. Say it really fast though and it begins to sound familiar. Now Google it and there’s a whole history behind this fascinating little number…..introducing the hand cymbal commonly known as the Bock-A-Da-Bock.

Originally designed by Billy Gladstone, one of the most significant and finest percussionists of his time, Gladstone was continually inventing, building and perfecting instruments. “Gladstone’s ‘Device for Operating Cymbals’ comprised a pair of spring-loaded scissor tongs bearing two small, heavy cymbals facing each other; when the player squeezed the tongs, the cymbals closed together. A range of interesting sounds were made possible as the player held the device in one hand, opening and closing the cymbals whilst striking them with a stick held in their other hand. Its creator having received a patent, the ‘Ludwig Gladstone Cymbal’ appeared in the drum company’s 1927 catalogue.” (Drums in the Twenties)

Pat Blythe – More Cowbell…..and moosic too!

Weather update…..sort of. Snow tires on. Check. Bag o’salt and snow shovel on the front porch. Check. Pots emptied of dirt and herbs harvested. Mostly. Backyard raked and tidied (three times). Check. Scrapers, shovel and snow brushes in the vehicle. Check. Boiler and heating system services. Check. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be to greet old man winter. It’s November and anything is possible. Snow is predicted for this week and even though, technically, it’s autumn until December 21, (winter solstice) I get this not so warm and fuzzy feeling those Colorado lows are getting lower and lower. Winter is going to be knocking on our doors sooner rather than later.