America's Song Butchers: The Weird World Of Homer & Jethro

Amazon.com
Now this is a vital reissue project. From the '40s to the '60s, guitarist Henry "Homer" Haynes and mandolinist Kenneth "Jethro" Burns often put their virtuosity and swing (not to mention those of Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, and the great Nashville drummer Buddy Harman) into service as deconstructive tools applied to the hits of the day. You might say the duo's parodies struck blows against the straight-faced tyranny of both mainstream pop and "hillbilly" music; you'll also note that Homer and Jethro seem to be having too much fun to care about such high-flown notions. Still, listen to "Hart-Brake Motel" and hear how Elvis's RCA labelmates do more than, say, John Cale, to dissolve any saccharine looming in the original. "Turpentine" becomes an all-purpose rhyme (in separate songs, a girlfriend and a dog fall into barrels of it); eating crackers in bed is declared "a crummy habit"; and, in a move presaging Andy Kaufman's postmodern self-mockery, Haynes and Burns recommend that copies of their own "Billboard Song" be destroyed. The team even managed a final affront to good taste years after Haynes's death, when their anarchic treatment of "Misty" (included here) provided the template for Ray Stevens's follow-up to "The Streak." Oh, and "you know what a basketball nose is," don't you? "It dribbles all over the place." --Rickey Wright

America's Song Butchers: The Weird World Of Homer & Jethro,Homer & Jethro,Razor & Tie,Comedy,Country,Country & Western,Pop

Average customer rating: we want more of classic homer & jethro It's a dog, but I like dogs. I'll give you two bits fer that hound dog. If only... No wonder Spike had them as guest stars...

America's Song Butchers: The Weird World Of Homer & Jethro Homer & Jethro Manufacturer: Razor & Tie ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Country Comedy | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: Best Of: Hall of Fame 2001 Spike Jones - Greatest Hits Sheb Wooley & Ben Colder - 22 Greatest Hits Dr. Demento's Country Corn The Puritan Sessions ASIN: B000002ZB3 Release Date: 1997-03-18

Tracks:

1. Tennessee Border No.2
2. Baby, It's Cold Outside
3. Tennessee, Tennessee
4. I'm Movin' On No.2
5. Li'l Ole Kiss Of Fire
6. The Billboard Song
7. Jam-Bowl-Liar
8. You Belong To Me No.2
9. Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyeballs
10. (How Much) Is That Hound Dog In The Window?
11. She Was Bitten On The Udder By An Adder
12. Hernando's Hideaway
13. Let Me Go, Blubber
14. Mister Sandman
15. Yaller Rose Of Texas, You All
16. Sixteen Tons
17. Hart-Brake Motel
18. The Battle Of Kookamonga
19. I Want To Hold Your Hand
20. Misty

Amazon.com

Now this is a vital reissue project. From the '40s to the '60s, guitarist Henry "Homer" Haynes and mandolinist Kenneth "Jethro" Burns often put their virtuosity and swing (not to mention those of Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, and the great Nashville drummer Buddy Harman) into service as deconstructive tools applied to the hits of the day. You might say the duo's parodies struck blows against the straight-faced tyranny of both mainstream pop and "hillbilly" music; you'll also note that Homer and Jethro seem to be having too much fun to care about such high-flown notions. Still, listen to "Hart-Brake Motel" and hear how Elvis's RCA labelmates do more than, say, John Cale, to dissolve any saccharine looming in the original. "Turpentine" becomes an all-purpose rhyme (in separate songs, a girlfriend and a dog fall into barrels of it); eating crackers in bed is declared "a crummy habit"; and, in a move presaging Andy Kaufman's postmodern self-mockery, Haynes and Burns recommend that copies of their own "Billboard Song" be destroyed. The team even managed a final affront to good taste years after Haynes's death, when their anarchic treatment of "Misty" (included here) provided the template for Ray Stevens's follow-up to "The Streak." Oh, and "you know what a basketball nose is," don't you? "It dribbles all over the place." --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

we want more of classic homer & jethro.......2007-02-25

great cd for studio cuts but where is the truly classic live at the country club? why RCA has not released this one is a mystery.
please before we all get to old to care put live at the country club
on CD for the rest of us.my old LP is about used up. these to guys were
also fantastic musicians that usually get overlooked.

It's a dog, but I like dogs........2006-11-12

I let a guy at work burrow this CD but his wife made him give it back early. Got it just for "Camp Kukamonga" but I liked some of the other bits on here even better; certain things stick in your head, like the girl with a wart on her chin, "she said it was a dimple, but a dimple turns in."



Also lots of sage advice, such as "Don't let the stars git in your eyes if you've got water on the brain"



My eyes are granulated from laughing.

I'll give you two bits fer that hound dog........2005-07-30

This is a solid compilation of some of Homer and Jethro's best recordings for RCA Victor Records. They were country music's foremost comedy duo for over 20 years. Although a lot of their humor will seem "corny" to modern listeners, it still is pretty funny. Fans of humorous music should get this CD.

If only..........2005-02-05

If only RCA would issue H&J's "Live at the Country Club" on cd. Then the world would find out just how great this duo was. The recording was produced by none other than a young Chet Atkins and their backing band was Boots Randolph and the Coral County Car Strippers. Many of the songs from this compilation are performed but their sly humor and natural comedic timing are showcased only on the live album. If this is all you can get ahold of then get a copy. For now I'll continue to cherish my vinyl lp for the rest of my days.

No wonder Spike had them as guest stars..........2003-05-15

The first I heard from them was "Pal-y-atchee" (or how do you spell "Pagliacci" Spikewise), and some charlestons with backing by the City Slickers. Apparently, they where a genuine act on their own (hey, I'm European, how could I know?). For people with classifying troubles: I put them under "Novelty", along with Spike Jones... and Raymond Scott. Well, none of them is there anymore (unfortunately) to protest...

Music Album:

1. American Child
2. Angels' Waltz
3. Another Place Another Time/She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye
4. Another Way to Go
5. At the Ryman [Live]
6. Blue Kentucky Girl [Extra tracks] [Original recording remastered]
7. Breath Of Heaven: A Christmas Collection
8. Broke
9. Buenas Noches From a Lonely Room
10. But What Will the Neighbors Think/Rodney Crowell

Music Album