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FEEL THE RIVER'S RHYTHM - MISSISSIPPI QUEEN SWINGS IN 2005
An American Tradidion afloat.
By
"The steamboats were finer than anything on shore like palaces."Mark Twain,
Life on the Mississippi
The rivers of our great nation are ever changing and on the move they seem ready for the next bend to exhibit new living Norman Rockwell-type scenes of what we value most our own Americana in action along their banks. For 2005, The Delta Queen Steamboat Company announces two enticing themes for your river-cruise enjoyment on their paddlewheeler The Mississippi Queen: Big Bands and Legends of the 50's.
Big Bands Dramatically, the vivacious bass drum and toms beat out the pulse, joined quickly by the trumpet section before the mellow clarinet engages the irresistible primal tempo of that Louis Prima hit "Sing Sing Sing."
This steamrolling swing piece tagged Benny Goodman the King of Swing. Imagine being there with Benny Goodman, clarinet, Harry James, trumpet, Gene Krupa, drums, and Lionel Hampton on vibes. Starting in the 30's, our love continues for music born of the era of the Big Band greats. Songs we now call standards are timeless treasures. They bring back memories and continue to create new ones today.
Big Band music and the Swing Era lifted a nation's soul from a Depression and wars and became ingrained in what we still feel is the music of and for the dance floor. This is music that captivates our very essence, and our love of life. You can't just listen first a toe begins to tap the floor, or a finger engages the rhythm on the tabletop as it snares our participation.
The Mississippi Queen's Big Band itineraries begin in January 2005 with a New Orleans round trip and will vary throughout the year with alternatives like Cincinnati to St. Louis or Cincinnati to Pittsburgh Wherever you catch the Queen, the beat will go on in the style of Big Band memory blockbusters like Jimmy Dorsey's "So Rare" or Guy Lombardo's "Red Sails in the Sunset" and perhaps Russ Morgan's rendition of Joe Garland's "In the Mood".
Groups featured will be names like The Sammy Kaye Orchestra with Roger Thorpe, The Russ Morgan Orchestra with son Jack Morgan, The Ink Spots, The Maxwells, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra directed by Bill Tole, Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians with Al Pierson, and much more. One cruise will feature a tribute to the clarinet maestro Benny Goodman Can you feel the beat?
Legends of the 50's The other 2005 season big musical theme is one of the favorites and will feature groups like The Four Freshmen, "When My Sugar Walks Down the Street" or Gogi Grant singing "Wayward Wind", the Four Lads with "Moments to Remember." Don't forget the Shirelles with "Dedicated to the One I Love." Visit the "Chapel of Love" with The Dixie Cups, and join in "That'll be the Day," with The Crickets. Come meet baseball star Bob Feller, and take a trip down memory lane with retired broadcaster Rick Busciglio.
There will be no problem remembering the decade of Elvis, Nat King Cole, Hula Hoops, cramming in phone booths, and Poodle Skirts. These are star-laden marque river cruise voyages to varied venues including Cincinnati, Chattanooga, and New Orleans.
Her Majesty, The Mississippi Queen The Mississippi Queen built in 1976 for the bicentennial celebrations, was the grandest large paddlewheeler ever to steer America's waters. She was crafted in a style reminiscent of the grandest steamboats of the past. The Mississippi Queen can carry just over 400 hundred guests in exquisite Victorian style in 2005 for one of the Big Band or 50's cruises
The paddlewheeler's authentic dιcor speaks of a turn-of-the-century finery loved by all. Admire the Grand Staircase ceiling for the trompe l'oeil of cherubs in clouds. The Victorian-style couches and plush chairs in the Upper Paddlewheel Lounge make for a snug-comfy place to relax and absorb what the river offers so easily beauty and tranquility.
The Grand Saloon is the gathering place for daytime activities, and serves as the ballroom or showroom at night. The Golden Antlers Bar is a cheerful lounge with game tables and floor-to-ceiling windows. Steamboat amenities include an exercise room, bathing pool, movie theater and wood-embellished library.
Staterooms are named after historic Civil War battles, river towns or former riverboats, with exquisite and unique antique furnishings. Exploring the Mississippi Queen and enjoying her ambience is part of the river pursuit sought by passengers over the years. You can do or not do when you are on river time.
A blazing river-sunset collapses into the water on a peaceful day and it is almost time for Mississippi Queen's down-home-style creatively prepared dining. Soon will come the music from the Big Bands, or the Fifties can you hear the rhythm section calling?
"The face of the river, in time, becomes a wonderful book ... not one to be
read once and thrown aside, for it has a new story to tell every day."
Mark Twain
Steamin Guide:
Delta Queen Steamboat Co.
800-543-1949
www.deltaqueen.com
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