Jack Imel plays "Pagan Love Song" on Lawrence Welk 1958

Jack Imel playing the marimbas and tap dancing to "Pagan Love Song." (Via Filled with Chocolate Pudding!)

[#1 posted by spokehedz , November 19, 2008 10:57 AM]

I'm sorry... Am I missing something here? (like the point? *rimshot*)

I understand the song is wonderful, but I just want to have a little bit more background on it.

[#2 posted by Antinous , November 19, 2008 11:02 AM]

Um. Marimbas? Tapdancing? Lawrence Welk? What more could you possibly want?

[#3 posted by aleesmith , November 19, 2008 11:12 AM]

So kick-ass wonderful!

[#4 posted by Shrdlu , November 19, 2008 11:15 AM]

Well, he's no Lionel Hampton, but I've never seen Lionel Hampton tap dance.

@1: I know nothing about the song, but it shares a title with an Ester Williams film from the early 50s when Americans were fascinated with Polynesia.

[#5 posted by haineux , November 19, 2008 11:16 AM]

You might possibly want Alvino Rey playing his pedal steel guitar in an early talk-box-like situation, with an anthropomorphic guitar puppet and a guy in a really odd hat.

Like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqtf9ITvjYs

[#6 posted by Cupcake Faerie , November 19, 2008 11:21 AM]

Or you might want a man in a turban playing an organ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9ytSC8rz84

[#7 posted by Editz , November 19, 2008 11:32 AM]

Must. Buy. Dodge. Now.

[#8 posted by avraamov , November 19, 2008 11:32 AM]

i can do that.

[#9 posted by Dan , November 19, 2008 11:35 AM]

very cool. i like how he comes up for air every few bars to smile at the audience.

i feel like musical performers back in those days felt an obligation to always smile at the crowd.

[#10 posted by Art , November 19, 2008 12:02 PM]

A most impressive and delightful performance on all counts. Especially at 1:20 sec when he 'takes off'. Great talent!

Thanks for the post.

[#11 posted by Muscato , November 19, 2008 12:17 PM]

This is in my top three ever favorite trick marimba acts, right up there with the Kim Sisters and Carmen Miranda in The Gang's All Here.

FWIW, the song is from 1928's hit The Pagan, which starred Ramon Novarro and had a primitive semi-integrated music track. You can check out the orginal number here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emi4yYVTkxo

[#12 posted by Anonymous , November 19, 2008 12:19 PM]

highly delightful!

[#13 posted by Anonymous , November 19, 2008 12:19 PM]

This is the best use of Youtube for me -- classic performances and great music that I couldn't find anywhere else.

[#14 posted by Anonymous , November 19, 2008 12:31 PM]

@1: the point?! Come on, just watch it again.

He's from Portland. Portland, INDIANA.

[#15 posted by Wingo , November 19, 2008 12:39 PM]

Jiminy Cricket!!

From back in the day when performers actually performed. Talk about multi-talented...

That guy must have just passed out cold from exhaustion after a number like that.

[#16 posted by BANilsson , November 19, 2008 6:05 PM]

You want to see a swinging xylophone-smackin' hoofer? Jimmy Vey, about 4:40 into this cut, as he tears up "Whispering."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjrJCfE6DZc

[#17 posted by prom77 , November 20, 2008 12:24 AM]

Finally, someone plays that song the way the pagans intended... with tap dancing!

[#18 posted by NoahApples , November 20, 2008 7:56 PM]

A wonderful thing indeed.

Good find!

[#19 posted by tanager22 , November 20, 2008 9:32 PM]

Of all the awesome Welk Show clips on youtube, this is the one featured on BB? Have you seen the head-slapping wonder of Bobby and Cissy dancing to "Love Will Keep Us Together"? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw2lCPeyyCk