It's "P" day on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge and it's also Monday. It's time for Music Moves Me!
Who are the #MusicMovesMe bloggers? We are bloggers who blog about music each Monday and if you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only , please!) First, there is XmasDolly, who hopefully will join us this week. Her co-hosts are: Stacy of Stacy Uncorked, Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, and me. Each month we have a guest host and this month we again welcome DrillerAA of Driller's Place.
His
theme: "You Pick". So please take a seat and park here for a while for my tunes and parks.
I am picking songs about parks so I can work that in with my A to Z theme, which will be about parks in New York State. (My A to Z post directly follows the music).
The songs themselves aren't about New York State parks.
Palisades Park would be a total natural for this theme except that it was located in New Jersey not New York. Still, lots of New Yorkers went there for a fun afternoon. Here's Freddy Cannon's original from 1962. As a bonus, this video has the Palisades Park theme song that anyone who lived in the New York City area in 1962 remembers.
Chicago's Saturday in the Park, from what I've read, was inspired by New York City's Central Park.
There is a MacArthur Park in Binghamton, New York but this is not the park this Jimmy Webb song is about. (The song's location is MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, California). I fell in love with the Richard Harris original in 1968. I bought the single and must have played it thousands of times, but so many people consider it one of the worst songs of all time that I decided on the Donna Summer cover. She even pronounces it "MacArthur's Park" like Richard Harris did.
One more - Itchykoo Park, sung by The Small Faces in 1966. Not New York, but still.
How about some pictures of New York State Parks?
Powder Mills Park, in Pittsford, New York, is a Perfect fit for "P" day. This park contains trails, and a fish hatchery which is free to view. Near the entrance to the park is the Mushroom House, which is hard to see. It is a private residence and should not be trespassed on.
Otsiningo Park, in Binghamton, New York lies along the Chenango River and is a favorite walking spot for many, including my spouse and me. Our community garden is also located in this park.
Highland Park in Rochester, New York, is noted for its lilac festival in May. It will be held this year but scaled down. This picture was taken in September of 2016 in one of the flatter areas.
Steeplechase Park, in Coney Island (Brooklyn, a borough of New York City) was a 15 acre amusement park which closed in 1964. All that's left of it is the parachute jump. I have been told that the parachute jump was a favorite ride of one of my father's sisters. She did tend to be a bit of a daredevil.
The Coney Island Cyclone was part of another amusement park, Luna Park, at Coney Island.
And that's a wrap! Next week, due to the A to Z Challenge, I will be posting on Sunday and not Monday, so please join me then!
Otsiningo Parklooks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAlana,
ReplyDeleteNice topic and photos for today's A2Z letter. You did a great job adding your music picks, too. I wish you had used Richard Harris' "MacArthur's Park". I love his version! Donna Summer's is nice but it's a dance number. Richard's song stirs the heart. I think it's beautiful for what it's worth. :) I have separated my Monday's Music Moves Me from my A2Z but when you get a chance come by to boogie with me and to check out Pepe Le Pew & Penelope Pussycat Looney Tunes A-Z Art Sketch. Have a boogietastic week and happy A2Zing, my dear!
...what a fabulous collection. I immediately recognised the chair from Power Mill Park.
ReplyDeleteVery nice set of images and playlist. Saturday in the Park brings back a lot of fond memories, unfortunately, seeing Chicago in concert never came to pass. Thanks for sharing your music with us this morning.
ReplyDeleteGreat music selections and great NY parks. That mushroom house is cool!
ReplyDeleteParks are among the greatest gifts humans give to ourselves. And who knew there were so many songs mentioning parks?
ReplyDeleteNice songs and nice parks pics. Thanks for sharing both.
ReplyDeleteLove your playlist, I’m too young to remember Palisades Park, but Coney Island ... Drew rode the Cyclone two years ago. I was too scared to ride.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun theme Alana - I enjoyed reading about the history of each of the songs and, while I love Saturday In The Park and MacArthur Park, the other two were new to me! Have a wonderful week and I love reading your thoughts each week on my shares as well! :-)
ReplyDeleteAren't you clever combining the two! And asking us to park ourselves. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteSaturday, in the park, dada The fourth of July. Go Chicago. Great tune.
ReplyDeletebeautiful images and nice song from videos....
ReplyDeletehave a great day
Couple of nice selctions here! And you held close to your theme, too!
ReplyDeletePalisades Park... OOH! Memories. And, Chicago's song lit up my summer. My version is Richard Harris for Macarthur's Park... And, Steeplechase Park- where one could see Cape May and Atlantic City from the top of the Parachute Jump.
ReplyDeleteMemories..
Love your playlist! Every one is a favourite!
ReplyDeleteThere is something so sad about seeing the ghosts of past amusement parks. I think of the joy and memories now reduced to a single sentinel (as is the case with Steeplechase Park--demolished by none other than Trump Sr) or a few moldering rides and buildings gradually being re-claimed by the surrounding vegetation. I just find it immensely sad!