Welcome to the Nostalgic Ramber





Hans Jeff Borger is heard on WRGE 97.9 FM in Ocala, FL featuring Christian programming.

"The Nostalgic Rambler" radio show can be heard on Youtube. Just search for Hans Jeff Borger Nostalgic Rambler.





Why a blog? I wrote a book "The Little Grownup: a nostalgic Michigan boyhood" which should appeal to most baby boomers. A mass market book? Well, not yet...but the potential is there! (Be sure to buy it at "finer on line bookstores" everywhere!)

The comments presented in "The Nostalgic Rambler" probably won't be of interest to the masses...anymore. If grandma and grandpa and their friends were still alive, then it would be a different story.

I live in the past. My time warp is a comfortable cocoon even if it sometimes drives my wife crazy. The music of the 1940s and 50s, the stars of those days were big stuff in their day, but are now almost forgotten. Oddly enough, I was born in '64 so those iconic years were for the most part over by that time.

Through "The Nostalgic Rambler" I maybe can help share my love and knowledge for those times and things...all at one time important pieces of Americana but now a bit faded in memory.

The woman who did the blog about cooking all of Julia Childs' French Cuisine Cookbook in a year got a sweet movie deal out of her blog experience. I wouldn't mind that but would be happy to know that you are reading this....and maybe enjoying my time warp, too.



Hans Jeff Borger



Thursday, August 25, 2011

Beach Visit









































With temperatures hovering around 100 it isn't really beach weather here unless you plan on getting sun burned to a crisp.

The Nostalgic Rambler decided to visit the beach of the olden days anyhow this week, so enjoy these old pics we found.

I have loved the August 8, 1953 Saturday Evening Post cover for years. It's called "No Chance To Be Alone" and was painted by George Hughes. The Post said at the time "how unkind fate is to sweethearts." I gotta agree with that assessment of this very clever magazine cover from back then!

Don't forget the suntan oil and your appointment at the dermatologist!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Doris Day's Greatest Hits, happy songs for your summer




































One of the last of the pop 50s icons still with us is Doris Day. I don't know what she is doing these days, but apparently has long since left show business. Too bad, as she was always a breath of fresh air when she sang.

Lots of Doris Day albums in my record library. One of my favorites that has been dragged out several times a year is the Columbia record "Doris Day's Greatest Hits." There is no way you can listen to her singing and not either feel good or want to burst out in song with her. Here is the 1950s at its best.

Of course there are some great background parts to sing along with, too. I remember years ago driving down the road with Grandpa listening to this on his car cassette player as Doris sang "If I give my heart to you......." to which Grandpa responded with the Boo Boo boo Boo Booooooo........Booo Booo Booo Boo Boooooo" backup singers. If you want to try being Doris' backup singer, you can listen here on Youtube. Another good one for backup singer training is "Teacher's Pet" with it's Bam-Bam-dum-dee-Dum....

If those songs aren't peppy enough, then how about "Everybody Loves A Lover." I love the beginning rhythm and that one and the counter melody part is simply magic.....and the Youtube who posted this one used the original album so you even get to hear a few clicks!

Oh, and It's Magic is another song she sings on that album as well.

The record is great, so if you don't have it in your libary, you can easily find it on cd or lp.

And that's just the beginning of the wonders of Doris's music. As I mentioned earlier, she recorded many beautiful albums including ballads which are gorgeous love songs. I love those, but also am partial to the many novelty tunes she recorded. So as this week's blog entry ends, I'll tap on out of here with Doris singing Mister Tap Toe. Click here for that fun gem.

STOP THE PRESSES UPDATE:
Oddly enough a day or so after I posted this original blog, I found out Doris Day is releasing her first album in years! Apparently fans in the UK and Germany appreciate Doris more than the youth oriented record moguls in the US. It looks like the album isn't being released in America! You can import it/order on line. Here's a link to a BBC page which features an audio interview with Doris.