On most of the recordings of Gunsmoke the music is performed by an orchestra. On some few, there is a theatre pipe organ. On even fewer, an accordian.

Anybody know the history of these variations?

The music with the organ is particularly gripping.

drbill

I heard an interview with Norm MacDonnell(I believe; it could have been William N. Robeson) who talked about he accordian music. There was some electronic device that fed the accordian's air (it had its own name that escapes me) and he said that William Conrad referred to it as the electric urnial because of the way the person playing it had to stand up to it. The person playing it may have been the individual who composed the music for the show. I recall another interview where the composer said that he composed the them shortly before it was due while in the bathroom.

If I can find the interview, I'll let you know.