Written by My first way to play music came in the form of this little Fisher Price record player. Here’s a quick 25 minute doodlewash of the player, as that’s all the time I have today before heading out again. It was actually a wind-up music box that required no batteries. Just place a record on the little turntable, wind the button on the front and you were treated to impossibly slow and sleepy versions of these foot-stomping hits:
Record #1 – Humpty Dumpty – Jack and Jill
Record #2 – Twinkle Twinkle Little Star – Au clair de la lune
Record #3 – London Bridge – Oh where has my little dog gone?
Record #4 – Camptown Races – Children’s marching song
Record #5 – Hickory Dickory Doc – Edelweiss
The effect was pure magic! Even if the music left much to be desired, mainly just based on the speed. How did we land here, you ask? We’re heading out tonight to a Kansas City Symphony concert and so I had music on the brain. They won’t be playing any of these beloved songs, but will be treating us to the music of famous movie soundtrack phenom, John Williams. It will be a bit like going to several movies at once while blindfolded, so this should be interesting.
As some of you may have noticed, I’ve officially run out of guest posts for the week, so you’re stuck with only me until I can get more in. Not to fear, they will continue, but it takes a lot of time to recruit them and I’ll have to work on that this weekend as this week has been super crazy. If you know of anyone that you think should be featured here, or you’re reading this and thinking, “me! pick me!,” then by all means, contact me and let me know!
About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Pyrrol Red, Azo Orange, Cobalt Teal, Quinacridone Gold, Cobalt Blue, Permanent Green Pale, Ultramarine Blue, and Neutral Tint. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal
I have a faint memory of one of these. Way to go on keeping your sketch goal! Have a lovely time at the symphony. 🙂
Thanks Jessica!! I’m determined to keep the dailies even if they’re crazy quick. I fear if I ever stop I’ll not get started again. 😊 And the symphony was so fun!! John Williams is such an amazing composer!!
What a cool doodlewash of the FP record player. I do remember these, I’m sure my youngest brother had one. FP made the best toys. Thanks for posting Charlie.
Thanks Sharon!! 💕😃This thing was so darn magical! I loved having a full record collection like my dad! Hehe
I remember a similar-looking small portable turntable that we used to take to the beach and play appropriate-sounding music for our day of fun in the Sun. I don’t think it was a toy ‘tho. I like those coloured vinyl records! I was a fan of songs #1, #2, #3 and #5. Enjoy the concert!
Doodlewash contenders — I see you’ve been visiting Tofan Gheorghe. Maybe also A-wing and A-way’s jmnlandin (his wife does the illustrations to his posts, she’s very talented). Possibly Anna Cull of In the Art Cave, and Anna Warren of Anna Warren Portfolio. Just a few…
Hehe!! Thanks Janina! Glad you liked the doodlewash and most of the songs… Yeah #4 was my least favorite record and I don’t think I played it much. I wish I’d lived near a beach. That sounds fun!! And thanks for the suggestions! A few folks in there I had heard of! Yay! Just chatted with Anna Warren yesterday so hopefully she’ll be coming soon! When I started this I assumed I’d hit a point where I was getting unsolicited requests from folks, but that never happened sadly. Hehe… I haven’t had time to contact people and follow up so I’ve hit a bit of a lull. 😊
I’m glad Anna Warren is considering it! Yes, it does take a bit of work to get people organised…sometimes one just has to wait! Maybe some of the ones I’ve mentioned in these comments may see it and get in touch with you! Hope so. Any others I come across, I’ll email you. Cheeri-pip! 🙂
Great! Thanks so much Janina! 😃👍🏻
Another sweet memory. Thanks for sharing dear Charlie O! Sing and Dance to those sweet songs – right into the weekend! Woohoo!
Thanks Jodi!! ❤️😃And yeah…I wish it were the weekend already!! I’m already there and it’s just a 4 day work week for me. Hehe
You know, on the one hand, I am loving your art taking me on a trip down memory lane…on the other hand, you are making me feel freakin’ old! LOL! I loved those FP players; never had one but played with them whenever I came upon them. Marvelous job on the details! <3
Thanks Teresa!! ❤️😃Hahaha!! I’m feeling old too!! 😳 I was thinking the same thing! Lol But we’re both young at heart and that’s all that matters. I’ve met people 10 years younger who are already far older than me! Hehe
What a sweet memory Charlie and a very lovely doodlewash. Hope you are having a wonderful time at the symphony!
Thanks Cathe! 💕😃 It was really fun! Much more entertaining than I expected. There was a weird and awkward part where some fat cosplay kids stumbled across the stage with light sabers, but other than that it was amazing!!
I remember a friend who had one of those! But now the kids don’t even know what record players are! I hope you and Phillippe enjoy the symphony! I would be humming all the tunes!
Haha! So true, expect they tried to make s comeback thanks to Urban Outfitters at least. The symphony was fun… and thankfully nice and loud because we were all humming along. 😊lol
What fun! Sadly I was never lucky enough to own one of these – I’d have felt most grown up if I had, with my own snazzy record player. (I did have a Fisher-Price telephone I believe – pity it wasn’t that one on which I dialled 999, eh?) I would have loved driving everyone mad playing it endlessly, mwahaha! It looks so sweet though – liking the decoration on the sides. Aww.
Do hope you had fun at your do!
Hehe! Thanks Jacob! This was such a snazzy player and it did make me feel all grown up! I remember the phones!! That’s too funny as I almost sketched one of those. I still might. There are a 10 more days to go and I’m running out of memories. 😊lol And the concert was so fun!! I thought I’d get bored without lots of pictures, but it was fun to imagine the movies in my head.
It’s so cool with its little coloured records! And I’ve just googled the Fisher-Price phone to remind myself how it looked – so cool. It’d make a fun doodlewash, for sure!
Then check out my latest post!! 😉lol
Eeek!! 😀
I’m sure #1 was a hit – Jack and JILL! Lol! 😍 I can’t keep up with your 2 posts a day, my friend! Heck! Some days I don’t get anything posted – like tomorrow! 😜 Hope you had fun tonight, Charlie! Your doodlewash is fantastic! 💕💖
Thanks Jill!! Hehe…anything with Jill in it is sure to be a hit!! 💕😎😉👍🏻 yeah… and yeah, two posts a days are a lot! I may drop to 3 guests a week… But I’m still determined to keep my own dailies. Hehe… I have to force myself some days to keep going, because if I ever stop I might have trouble starting up again! 😊lol
Oh brilliant, blast from the past, I still have mine, Camptown races, I used to play that one lots….they don’t make toys like that anymore….built to last! I also had the weebles, and the plane, the dogs on wheels, with the shoe in their mouth, well played but in great condition still.
Awww cool!! Glad this brought back good memories! I actually might try a doodlewash of Weebles…loved those things! Lol And the dog on wheels was awesome too! So many great toys back then!
Weebles wobble, but they never fall down!
Exactly! Okay…I may just have to go for it!! Now that’s in my head and won’t leave! Lol
This is lovely and I had something similar including Camptown Races. Great sketch and great memories.
Thanks Cathy!! 😃😃Fun times, eh?! Hehe So happy you liked this!!
Yes, it’s great and such a fun memory. I had completely forgotten about these.
Very cool sketch Charlie, as always! I badly coveted my friend’s record player, but what I wanted above everything else was an Etch-a-Sketch… 🙂
Thanks Rebecca!! I think I was spoiled as a kid 😊lol I also loved my Etch-A-Sketch… It was one of my favorites!!
I’m loving these Charlie. So many memories. Records! They’re coming back, maybe Fisher Price will revive this toy. (K)
Awww thanks, Kerfe! 💕😃Hehe! I know right? I miss the sound of records. And they did revive this one! It can be yours again for under 30 bucks! Lol
That’s excellent! Too bad I don’t have grandchildren…
You’re having so much fun with this topic….and so are we.
Awww I’m so glad Teri! Yeah…I’m having a lot of fun. It’s like playing with toys all over again! 😊
We had this one. :)))) I used to play them over and over. Beautiful rendering, Charlie! 💜
Thanks Laura!! 💕😃I think this was one of my favorites because I love music so much. Of course I really love toys so it’s impossible to chose! Hehe
so neat!
Oh my gosh! I’m loving these posts! I had one of these too when I was little. It was lost/sold/donated sometime after I grew up, but I loved it so much I bought a reproduction one for my youngest daughter a few years ago. Thanks for bringing such joyful memories to the forefront of our minds!
Awww thanks!! I’m so happy you’re enjoying these, Kathrina!! 😃 And yay! That’s so cool you got one for your daughter…these were really awesome! Hehe
Popped over from Cathe’s blog … lovely memories here of DD endlessly playing Twinkle Twinkle 🙂 FP toys just went on and on didn’t they so well constructed … handed down and across to many other little ones I fear I’ve none left now in the loft Lol
Gorgeous doodlewashes Charlie . Enjoyed very much looking at your work .
Awww thanks!! Thanks for popping by!! 😃 So happy you enjoyed the doodlewashes. And I agree…FP toys were the best! Glad they still make many of these. Hope you pop by again my friend!! 😉