Classical Gas 2000 (1968 Irving Music, Inc. (BMI)) This "Classical Gas" still uses the classical guitar as its central instrument but has a chamber orchestra fills out the sound. Even without the percusion, Darrens nimble licks and driving style will have your foot tapping.
The original recording by Mason Williams was released in February 1968 from the album The Mason Williams Phonograph Record. In August 1968 it reached the top 5 in the American charts and went on to sell over a million copies and won three Grammy awards.
The song has appeared in many pop culture settings. Lisa Simpson played it in the 1993 Simpsons episode Last Exit to Springfield and Frasier Crane played it on his CD player while testing his new furniture in the 2000 episode The Great Crane Robbery Also, Mannheim Steamroller re-recorded the song, along with other compositions by Williams, in their album of the same name. On internet file sharing programs, the song is sometimes credited (incorrectly) to Eric Clapton or The Shadows. The version often credited to Clapton on various tabbing websites is actually performed by Mark Knopfler; this was recorded but never released on any of his albums.
Digital DownloadSongAlbumTrackComposerGenreClassical GasClassica07Mason WilliamsClassical Guitar (Press play to listen to a short sample of this song)
Classical Gas is one of those selections you hear once and never forget. We had such a great time rearranging and recording this piece. It is also a song that inspired me to play guitar. Mason, you should have done a few more like this! Darren Curtis Skanson
Mason Williams emerged in the late 1960’s as a strong force in television and music circles. He is most widely known as composer and recording artist of mega hit Classical Gas, which won three Grammy Awards for: “Best Instrumental Composition”, “Best Instrumental Performance”, and “Best Instrumental Orchestra Arrangement” (Mike Post, arranger).
In 1998, Broadcast Music, Inc., (BMI), presented Mason with a Special Citation of Achievement in recognition of the great national and international popularity of Classical Gas. It has logged over three million broadcast performances to become the number one all time instrumental composition for air play in BMI’s repertoire, replacing the previous #1 tune, The Theme From Moulin Rouge, by Michel Legrande, released in 1953.
In 1987, Mason teamed up with Mannheim Steamroller to release an album on the American Gramaphone label titled CLASSICAL GAS, a cut from this album, Country Idyll, was a Grammy Nominee for “Best Country Instrumental Performance by a Soloist, Group or Orchestra.” This album went Gold in 1991, and is now approaching Platinum.
In 1992 Mason released A GIFT OF SONG, an instrumental Christmas album featuring arrangements of traditional carols and original compositions. That same year, the Vanguard label released MUSIC 1968-1971, a compilation of cuts from his five Warner Bros. albums recorded in the late 60s, early 70s.
Under his own label, Skookum Records, Mason released EP 2003: MUSIC FOR THE EPICUREAN HARKENER, which has received a Grammy Nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Album.
Throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s, Mason created and performed concerts for band and orchestra; “SYMPHONIC BLUEGRASS” was performed with over 40 major symphonies. “OF TIME AND RIVERS FLOWING,” a chronological river of music encompassing the realms of classical, folk, minstrel, gospel, jazz, country, pop, and contemporary rock. His “A GIFT OF SONG” Holiday Pops concerts featured music from his Christmas album and various community artists and choirs.
Recent honors include an Honorary Doctorate of Music from his Alma Mater, Oklahoma City University and in 2000, Mason was officially designated the Musician Laureate for the State of Oregon.
Mason’s music has also made its way on-screen. It has been featured in several films including, The Story of Us, The Dish, Heartbreakers and Cheaper by the Dozen. On television, Classical Gas has been used in episodes of The Simpsons, Frasier and The Sopranos.
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