Moonglow & Theme from "picnic"

Don Walters · Post by **Don Walters** » 12 Jan 2007 1:01 pm

I'm trying to figure out if those two are the same melody or different songs. Any midi files I have been able to download under each name sound the same to me, yet on the Chester & Lester album they are listed as a medley.

If the two titles are indeed different, if someone could point me to a midi file of each so I could hear the difference, I'd appreciate it.

TIA

Mitch Drumm · Post by **Mitch Drumm** » 12 Jan 2007 9:33 pm

Don:

The song "Moonglow" dates to the 1930s and was recorded by a lot of bands--Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Django Reinhardt, Louis Prima, etc. The movie "Picnic" dates from 1955 and "Moonglow" was the main theme used in that film. Around that time, Morris Stoloff recorded a hit instrumental version which was actually labeled "Moonglow and Theme From Picnic". Since that time, you often see the latter term used rather than simply "Moonglow", but of course the longer title would not have been used for pre-1955 versions, and it is not used for many post-1955 versions.

The song has lyrics, but most versions are instrumental.

I haven't seen Picnic in 30 years, but it may well be that the Stoloff version is in fact played in the film. It remains to this day my favorite version by far. You could probably check ASCAP to see if the official title has been changed, but it was obviously written as Moonglow and I assume all recordings known as "Moonglow and Theme from Picnic" are simply deferring to the Morris Stoloff cut.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 13 Jan 2007 1:35 pm

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 13 Jan 2007 9:14 pm

The Theme from Picnic is usually played BEHIND the melody of Moonglow FWIW.

Click here

The Picnic Theme is at 1:14

Don Walters · Post by **Don Walters** » 16 Jan 2007 7:58 am

Thanks, Baz. Great playing as usual.

Burr Oxley · Post by **Burr Oxley** » 16 Jan 2007 10:50 am

Sweeeeet.....!

Don Walters · Post by **Don Walters** » 16 Jan 2007 12:04 pm

Well, I'll be ... I guess my "Old-timer's disease" isn't as far along as I thought.

A vague memory has been niggling at the back of my mind since I started this topic. So I dug out a storage box of LPs that I haven't looked at in xx years ...and there it was; Theme from Picnic on Chet Atkins in Hollywood copyright 1958, NOT "with" Moonglow. Not an Album I would buy now but way back then I bought everything by CA I could find.

Thanks for the feedback, folks, and thanks again Baz ... I'll keep yours too, if I may

Duane Reese · Post by **Duane Reese** » 9 Nov 2012 1:36 am

I can't seem to find the thread now, but I once put up an old recording of the Picnic theme on here, because I didn't know what it was (it came from a very old reel of tape that had been recorded in about '73 off of AM stereo)... Turns out that what I was hearing was the Chet Atkins version...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KITckkroTnw

A true classic...although, Baz, you're rendition is also excellent. I once learned your rendition on C6, and got it to sound pretty close...I had to do a two-foot on the V-chord as I recall, with pedals 6 and 8. Strange?

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 9 Nov 2012 3:51 am

Link repaired. And Yes its a two feet operation in places.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Moonglow & Theme from "picnic"

Moonglow & Theme from "picnic"

Theme from "Picnic"...not Moonglow