
RAH Humor Review: Classic Comedy Recordings
by Dave Bealer

This month the RAH Humor Review takes a departure from coverage of
newly released comedy.  A RAH Reader Survey respondent pointed out
that several forms of humor/comedy have been ignored in the survey.
The most important form mentioned was comedy records.  Here are some
of my favorite humorous recordings:

>> Stand Up Comedy <<

George Carlin - Toledo Window Box  (circa 1973)
* A friend in high school had this one, so I don't have any details.
  We really enjoyed this one, though.  George has enjoyed incredible
  longevity in a tough and competitive field.  He's just as funny
  today as the first time I saw him do his "Hippy-Dippy Weatherman"
  routine in the sixties.

Cheech & Chong - Big Bambu  (circa 1973)
* The definitive drug comics do routines like "Sister Mary Elephant,"
  "The Empire Hancock Building," and "Let's Make A Dope Deal."  This
  LP(*) came with Cheech & Chong rolling papers.  I had a real
  interesting time explaining to my father what they were doing in my
  room.  (Now available on CD from Warner)

Bill Cosby - Fat Albert  (circa 1973)
* Probably not the title of any of Cosby's early albums, which were
  owned by that same friend in high school.  Long before Dr. Huxtable
  there was Fat Albert and all the other crazies Bill grew up with.
  Around this time there was also an animated series called "Fat
  Albert And The Cosby Kids."

Lily Tomlin - This Is A Recording  (Polydor - 1971)
* The Laugh-In veteran captured live at The Ice House, Pasadena, CA.
  Lily portrays audacious operator Ernestine in such classics as "The
  Marriage Counselor," "Mr. Veedle," and "The Repairman."  The first
  comedy record I ever purchased.


>> Humorous Music/Parodies <<
  (includes recordings combining music and stand up routines)

Kip Addotta - The Comedian Of The United States (Laff - 1985)
* Features my favorite original comedy song, "Wet Dream."  Also
  includes "A State of the Humor Address," and "Big Cock-Roach."

Steve Martin - Comedy Is Not Pretty   (Warner - 1979)
* The banjo-picking "wild and crazy guy" recorded live at the
  Boarding House in San Francisco.  Includes "Googlephonics," "Cruel
  Shoes," and "Comedy Is Not Pretty."

Monty Python - Matching Tie and Handkerchief  (Arista - 1973)
* A mixture of old and new.  Classic Python sketches include: "The
  Cheese Shop," "Bruces," and "Bishop on the Landing."  Among the new
  bits are "Background to History," "World War Noises," and "Word
  Association Football."  Side two of the original LP had a unique
  feature - there were two completely separate sets of grooves.
  After listening to half the material on side two, you had to keep
  placing the needle at the start until it found the second groove
  entry.  The copy I own is "banded for airplay" so it has the normal
  boring LP layout on both sides.

Peter, Paul & Mary - In Concert   (circa 1964)
* I can hear it.  Several thousand people just said, in unison, "What
  the heck...."  Yes, I know.  PPM are not generally known for humor,
  at least by those not familiar with their work.  It just so happens
  that these folks *are* funny.  Noel Paul Stookey is a fine stand up
  comic, in addition to being a member of the most famous folk
  singing trio in history.  His routine "Paultalk" from this double
  album (now a double CD by Warner) was the first stand up comedy
  routine I ever memorized.  My mother had to buy another copy when I
  wore out the first one by constantly dropping the needle on
  "Paultalk" and "Puff the Magic Dragon" (seven-year-olds don't make 
  the most delicate needle droppers in the world).  Peter Yarrow does
  a great audience interaction spot setting up harmonies for "Rock My
  Soul" that had to be the inspiration for SCTV's Schmenge Brothers
  routine.  Peter also does a hilariously confused speech about "The
  Dragon" to lead into "Puff."  Last, but definitely not least, Mary
  Travers and Paul Stookey have a playful duet in "Car, Car."  Noel
  Paul Stookey wears yet another hat these days.  He's the sysop of
  the Celebration Station BBS in Blue Hill Falls, Maine.  Using the
  Major BBS, CeleStat supports speeds up to 14400 at (207) 374-5161.

"Weird Al" Yankovic - In 3-D     (Scottie Brothers - 1984)
* The modern master of song parodies at his best.  Includes classics
  like "Eat It," "Buy Me A Condo," "I Lost On Jeopardy," and "King of
  Suede."

{* Note: for younger readers who don't remember the Vinyl Age, the
term "LP" stands for "Long Playing record."  They were the fore-
runners of today's CDs.}                                        {RAH}

