Stan Freberg - Singles Collection 1947-60 (CD)

Stan Freberg was a comedian, broadcaster, writer and actor who was best-known for his satirical radio shows and recordings during the 1950s and '60s. Starting his career providing the voices for cartoon animations at Warner Bros., he graduated in the late '40s to being a screen actor in satirical roles. He appeared on a 1947 release by Cliffie Stone's Barn Dance band before starting recording for Capitol under his own name in 1951, specialising in doing parodies of current popular songs and styles, and had nearly twenty charted hits during the '50s - quite a feat for comedy material which was out of the pop mainstream. This 45-track 2-CD set comprises the A & B sides of singles which were released during the period, and naturally features all his hits, including the No. 1 "St. George and The Dragonet", along with other Top 20 classics like "Little Blue Riding Hood" and the marvellous satirical takes on "The Yellow Rose Of Texas", "Sh-Boom", and "Cry". This was a fascinating and highly individual strand of the recording business of the era, when satirical comedy and social commentary of all kinds became popular during a time of social and musical upheaval, and this collection is an entertaining memento of one it's most distinctive practitioners

Track List:

Disc: 1

1. Wabash Blues
2. John and Marsha
3. Ragtime Dan
4. I've Got You Under My Skin
5. That's My Boy
6. Maggie
7. Tele - Vee
8. Try
9. Pass the Udder Udder
10. Abe Snake for President
11. Ba - Ba Ball and Chain
12. The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise
13. The Boogie Woogie Banjo Man from Birmingham
14. St. George and the Dragonet
15. Little Blue Riding Hood
16. Christmas Dragnet Pt. 1
17. Christmas Dragnet Pt. 2
18. C'est Si Bon (It's So Good)
19. A Dear John and Marsha Letter
20. Person to Pearson
21. Point of Order
22. SH - Boom
23. Widescreen Mama Blues
24. The Honeyearthers

Disc: 2

1. The Lone Psychiatrist
2. The Yellow Rose of Texas
3. Rock Around Stephen Foster
4. Nuttin' for Christmas
5. The Night Before Christmas
6. The Great Pretender
7. The Quest for Bridey Hammerschlaugen
8. Heartbreak Hotel
9. Rock Island Line
10. Banana Boat (Day - O)
11. Wun'erful, Wun'erful Side Uh - One
12. Wun'erful, Wun'erful Side Uh - Two
13. Gary, Indiana
14. Ya Got Trouble
15. Green Chri$Tma$
16. The Meaning of Christmas
17. The Old Payola Roll Blues (Like the Beginning)
18. The Old Payola Roll Blues (Like the End)
19. Comments for Our Time Pt. 1
20. Comments for Our Time Pt. 2