Slideshow Music

[Andrew Blaszczyk (2)]

I'm sure at least half of those who post int hese forums have been to a train meet or seen a railroad slideshow at one time or another. My brother and I have been going to EastRail in Washington, NJ for a number of years and have enjoyed numerous shows by some 'big names' in the hobby and decided to try our hand at it and will be putting on our first show this March. We have the idea and music planned out already, but I would like to do some shows for fun and other shows of my own work my problem is a lack of train related or slideshow music.

What are some songs (railroad related or not) that you have enjoyed or have heard put to a slideshow or just on the radio or because you like it? It can be geographically specific such as "Orange Blossom Special" or "Sweet Home Alabama"? I know a few others but what are some you can think of or have even used?

Thanks in advance!

[JRMDC]

We'll, I'll answer questions with questions!

- what is the purpose of the music? to set mood? to convey the sounds of trains? to entertain?

- if there are lyrics, what is their purpose? familiarity? RR topicality? some sort of parallel topicality? general angst and/or happiness? specific references to the images? (Yellow Submarine for a yellow tank car? Hey, that's before even my time, but it was all I could think of on short notice. )

- will you be synchronizing image transitions with the music?

OK, ok, too serious, maybe. But what do you want to accomplish with the music?

J

[CNWFreak]

Well here's a list of train related music from my ipod

1. Train Kept A Rollin'-The Yardbirds
2. Crazy Train-Ozzy Osbourne
3. Long Train Runnin'-The Doobie Brothers
4. Casey Jones- The Grateful Dead
5. Locomotive Breath-Jethro Tull
6. White Room-Cream (kinda)

[Joe the Photog]

I had been working on a slide show using Johnny Cash's "Hurt."


Joe

[Andrew Blaszczyk (2)]

Originally Posted by JRMDC

We'll, I'll answer questions with questions!

- what is the purpose of the music? to set mood? to convey the sounds of trains? to entertain?

- if there are lyrics, what is their purpose? familiarity? RR topicality? some sort of parallel topicality? general angst and/or happiness? specific references to the images? (Yellow Submarine for a yellow tank car? Hey, that's before even my time, but it was all I could think of on short notice. )

- will you be synchronizing image transitions with the music?

OK, ok, too serious, maybe. But what do you want to accomplish with the music?

J

A little too seriou.s

I'm not asking for any specifics just songs you know of that may be fitting for a slideshow.

I want to do one using all Johnny Cash songs because he has quite a few that mention railroads and trains, but some that are just awesome.

If there is a song you know about a specific city while it may have no relation to trains it may be a good song about the area and could possibly work.

To put it simply, I'm working on a database of "Slideshow Potential Songs".

I actually have 3 of the 6 "CNW" put up so I know I'm on the right track (painful right) and he has the right idea.

[CNWFreak]

Oh, one more-The City of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie.

[NSFan14]

Orange Blossom Special-Johnny Cash
Last train home-Lost prophets

[NSFan14]

Better yet andrew...What about some flyleaf

[J. E. Landrum]

I've been attending Summerail at Cincinnati Union Terminal for years and would nearly knock myself unconscious bashing my head against the wall at some of the musical choices. If I hear Arlo Guthrie's "City of New Orleans" with an IC program or "California Dreamin'" by the Mamas & the Papas with a Cali show again I'm going to have to take a tranquilizer.

I did a show for Summerail in 2007 and went out of my way to select music that was different from what is normally associated with shows. My main goal was to use music from local musicians and it worked quite well. For example, the program was on the C&O from Ashland, Ky. to Cincinnati and as we apporached Cincinnati, I used a song by the Afghan Whigs and then Over-The-Rhine. Exposing folks to your photography is one thing, but giving them a chance to hear the local music scene is another thing that I find to be important as well. There is no reason to make people comfortable with hearing the same crap over and over again.

As per Flyleaf, that's a good suggestion. Throw in some Lamb of God and you'll have some chatter.

[JimThias]

Here you go Andrew....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl2_o8SVVIs

Imagine as the guitar line starts to play, you see pics of a steam train off in the distance, just cresting the horizon....and as the the stabs hit, pics of the train IN YOUR FACE! (actually, I think this tune would work better for a video)

[Ween]

"Move Me on Down the Line" -ZZ Top, from 'Tres Hombres'. A totally overlooked tune...

[Andrew Blaszczyk (2)]

Originally Posted by JimThias

Here you go Andrew....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl2_o8SVVIs

Imagine as the guitar line starts to play, you see pics of a steam train off in the distance, just cresting the horizon....and as the the stabs hit, pics of the train IN YOUR FACE! (actually, I think this tune would work better for a video)

Awesome! I like it.

And thanks for all the input so far. If you think of anymore even its slightly or not-even relavant please put it up here.

E,

You got the right idea. If I were ever to do a show or at least part of a show on the Cuyahoga Scenic, I would definitely use R.E.M. - Cuyahoga something a little less known. Cliche songs are all fine but local stuff is a great way to go. Thanks for the suggestion!

Let's keep this one going!

[CG_F45]

Just a few train songs (or not) off the top of my head...

-Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train
-Megadeth - Train of Consequences
-Guns N Roses - Nightrain...or is it Night Train?
-Boston - Smokin' (good for steam locomotive shots)
-Judas Priest - Living After Midnight (night shots!)
-Blackfoot - Train,Train

Thats all I got for now...

[CG_F45]

Originally Posted by Andrew Blaszczyk (2)

If there is a song you know about a specific city while it may have no relation to trains it may be a good song about the area and could possibly work.

LaGrange by ZZ Top!

[Ween]

Originally Posted by CG_F45

LaGrange by ZZ Top!

I guess I could see how a whorehouse is about trains...

[Slopes09]

Originally Posted by CNWFreak

Oh, one more-The City of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie.

No, The City of New Orleans, but by Steve Goodman. Much better, and it's the original.

[Slopes09]

Originally Posted by Ween

I guess I could see how a whorehouse is about trains...

There's a town called LaGrange near us Chicagolanders on the busy BNSF Racetrack. It's also where EMD's plant is.
http://www.railpictures.net/showphot...llinois,%20USA

[Andrew Blaszczyk (2)]

Anyone have any ideas for a Pennsy show? I'd probably need at least 4 or 5 songs for this one.

Chris and Mike, "La Grange" is a song about a whorehouse, but to defend you guys I did say it didn't have to be train-related.

http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/armageddon/lagrange.htm

[Warren]

Here is some railroad songs that I enjoy. If you want to listen or download you have to right click on them and select "save target as" then you can listen or use on your slideshow presentation.

Doc Watson "Freight train blues"

Johnny Cash "I've got a thing about trains"

Blackfoot "Train train"

Bob Dylan "Freight train blues"

Box car Willie "Daddy was a railroad man"

Chet Atkins & Doc Watson "Freight train boogie"

[Slopes09]

Originally Posted by Andrew Blaszczyk (2)

Anyone have any ideas for a Pennsy show? I'd probably need at least 4 or 5 songs for this one.

Chris and Mike, "La Grange" is a song about a whorehouse, but to defend you guys I did say it didn't have to be train-related.

http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/armageddon/lagrange.htm

I didn't dispute it, I was just trying to provide a reasoning as to why Lagrange might make sense for the people from Chi-town.

[CG_F45]

Yep, I too referenced LaGrange becasue it is the name of the town where EMD locos where built for ~60 years...guess thats what I get for not reading lyrics...

Back to lurking...

[JRMDC]

Originally Posted by CG_F45

Yep, I too referenced LaGrange becasue it is the name of the town where EMD locos where built for ~60 years...guess thats what I get for not reading lyrics...

Back to lurking...

If it's ZZTop, it probably refers to La Grange, TX.

EDIT: of course...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bes...house_in_Texas

[Andrew Blaszczyk (2)]

Pennsy?...anyone?

[WisconsinCentral]

Most in home slideshows usually play jazz. Much better for conversation about a shot, and just gives it an oldie theme. Lyrics take away from a slideshow, atleast I feel they do.

Alec