5 comments about Crank(y) Calls.

1. Thanks to Jonathan Winters' friend J. B. Smith we can all listen to the funniest guy in show biz in the most candid setting by way of the answering machine! Yep, Smith collected all of Winters' craziest moments all on tape. Winters' stuff maybe a little dated but one thing it never gets old. Winters still has his genious in this upclose and personal off-stage improvisation. I miss all the old comedians like Phyllis Diller and Bob Hope. That was when comedy was really funny and not obscene. His funniest routines are his C.B. Caller one, 'Blue Fox to Red Beaver.' He impersonation of Ross Perot and the telephone evangelist 'Do You Have Your PTL card' are hiliarious. They're all so funny to listen to. Some may sound a like from the dark side than the Winters the public is familiar with. But, do you feel bad listening in on someone's telephone conversations? It's your descretion to listen in. Hopefully they will come out with vintage Winters shows for us to enjoy. Is anybody listening? Do you remember Winters in the 'Mork & Mindy' TV series as Mearth (1981-1982)? Too bad they're NOT out on video. Only the early versions of the show. He and Robin Williams were a team when it came to hysterical comedy. Williams talks of his friend in Winters' documentary, 'The Unknown Jonathan Winters.' His funniest character was Maude Fricket. You can catch him/her(?) in 'Gone Fish'n.' His Fricket material revolutionized actors to dress up in old ladies clothes that it got Johnny Carson doing it on his talk show. There's an animated version similar to 'Gone Fish'n' with Jonathan Winters, see 'Tiny Toons Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation' (1992). If like Jonathan Winters as much as I do, some of his best stuff is from his TV show 'Jonathan Winters: on the Ledge.' His classic movies are 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,' (considered one of the top classic comedies of all time) 'The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh' and 'Moon Over Parador.' And if you like to read more about Winters try the New York bestselling autobiography, 'Winters' Tales.' He tells the truth about his early life that made him the quick-witted, funniest comedian in show biz.



2. THIS WAS SO BAD, I COULD NOT EVEN FINISH THE CD. IT MADE NO SENSE WHATS SO EVER. IT WAS ACTUAL PHONE CALLS TO A CERTAIN PERSON? GUESS IT WAS MY MISTAKE FOR ORDERING IT. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY OR TIME. I CANNOT BELIEVE IT WAS EVEN RECORDED.



3. Some reviewers were disappointed, perhaps expecting a more polished production. For my part, I felt privileged to experience a bit of Winters' "inside" communications. It made me feel as though I was in his head as he delivered, presumably without material finessed in advance, assuming the public at large would not hear it.



4. winters had another "leave a message" tape that was much funnier.
   this one has 2 or 3 amusing tracks, but the rest are a little spooky-sad.
   
   still, JW was a fascinating comic and human
   
   boyce



5. This cd should never have been made, it is a waste of time and no talent

2 comments about The Flinstones Music from Bedrock (Movie Soundtrack).

1. I have the soundtrack on cassette, but I am wanting to get the CD. I LOVE the song Bedrock Twitch. The songs on this album are wonderful. I have listened to the cassette over and over. So if you love The Flintstones movie then you need to get the CD.



2. How the live-action version of the Flintstones is judged now, I don't know. The soundtrack, which was an instore play at my former workplace, was a mix of the prevalent music of the day, alternative, goofy pop, rap, early nu-metal, glam, some good, some not so good. Most of the songs are thematically tied to the movie, which isn't the case for many songs for other soundtracks, and they feature dialogue from the cartoon series.

   Choosing the B-52's, temporarily rechristened the BC-52's for two songs, to sing the theme song is along the lines of inventing the wheel, one of those really inventive ideas. They've gone back to the producers of Cosmic Thing here. Don Was in produces the theme song, perfect as Fred Schneider quirkiness and Katie Pierson's unique chirpiness add to the fun-ness of the song. Cartoon effects from the series are incorporated, such as running and Dino. And it's Nile Rodgers producing "The Bedrock Twitch" which is another danceable hit like "Love Shack." In this case, it's what, "stone roof, rusted"? If this was done in the 60's when dance crazes were all the hype.... I can imagine people jamming to "do the twitch like you got an itch itch itch."

   Some songs don't exactly go past second gear. Biethnic UK hip-hop/remix group Stereo MC's tackle "Human Being (Bedrock Steady)" a steady cycle of multilayered drum tracks and wailing vocals, while My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult's "Hit & Run Holiday" features the same industrial sounds they provided on the Cool World soundtrack, but with some more distorted vocals and horns. Not one of their better songs, and not too relevant to the movie.

   One of the last bows of Shakespears Sister, that group by ex-Bananarama singer Siobhan Fahey, is seen in the reggae of "Prehistoric Daze"

   Big Audio Dynamite do "Rock With The Caveman," opening with excerpts of some tribal chanting, then "Wilma, I'm home!" and then it's a Bill Haley-type 50's rock with guitar and piano and backing vocals. "Stalactite, stalagmite, hold your baby very tight." Clever that, with near the same fun as the BC-52's.

   "I Showed A Caveman How To Rock"? More like how to rap, given that it's US3 featuring Def Jef with some "yabadabadoo" and horn samples heard.

   "I Wanna Be A Flintstone": yes, that's the name of this hard-guitar/rockabilly song by the Screaming Blue Messiahs. Fred can be heard in the background, and in fact he stops the song with his "Hold it hold it! Hoo boy!"

   Laid back instruments, such as airy synths and piano, back bass vocals feature in the Crash Test Dummies' "In The Days Of The Caveman." It's an idyllic look back at a simpler time, when cavemen "didn't have to keep a certain bedtime" and were able to hear noises at nighttime. One of the better songs here.

   Actually, it's not "Anarchy In The UK", rather it's "anarchy in Bedrock" and "I WANNA BE FRED FLINTSTONE" in Green Jelly's over-the-top and constipated cover of the Pistol's classic anthem in which there are other liberties taken to, such as the lead singer yelling out "WILMA" as if Stan Kowalski was screaming for Stella in Streetcar Named Desire. I'm a purist at heart, but I'm only lightly unamused here.

   Some songs have been previously released. Weird Al Yankovic's "Bedrock Anthem," a send-up of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Under The Bridge" and "Give It Away." Some effects from the cartoon series include Dino's yapping and Barney Rubble "laughing like a hyena." And Was (Not Was) recycle a danceable soul single from their What's Up Dog? album, "Walk The Dinosaur," whose title was just asking to be put on a Flintstones album. Or Jurassic Park if that movie featured songs.

   A fair mix of songs reflecting mid-90's music, but why include an excerpt of the incidental music, i.e. Mesozoic Music by David Newman, which throws the whole thing off balance. Rating: three yabba-dabbas and a doo, rounded up to four yabba-dabbas.

No comments about Shall I Compare Thee? Choral Songs on Shakespeare Texts.

4 comments about A Christmas Carol.

1. 
   Some songs, customs, and stories are so beloved, so familiar that they have become an integral part of our holiday celebrations. It wouldn't be the 4th of July without a parade; it wouldn't be Valentine's Day without a heart shaped box; and it wouldn't be Christmas without hearing "Silent Night" and a reading of "A Christmas Carol."
   
   Every once in a while another version or recording comes along that makes the familiar seem new, we hear it as though for the first time. That is certainly the case with this performance of "A Christmas Carol" by the irrepressible Jonathan Winters. He inhabits every character from Scrooge to his housekeeper to Tiny Tim, offering in his own incomparable manner the way he thinks each character would sound.
   
   Never has a Scrooge been meaner, a ghost more menacing or Tiny Tim more winning. Mr. Winters has been called "a one-man theatrical troupe" - indeed, he is as he not only presents amazingly different voices but sound effects as well. This is a one-of-a-kind version of "A Christmas Carol."
   
   Enjoy!
   
   - Gail Cooke



2. Jonathan Winters reads from Dicken's own version written for public readings, so it moves along nicely, never dragging or labored.
   
   You'll want to pick up several copies of this CD for friends as a welcomed Christmas surprise.



3. I've been a huge fan of Jonathan Winters all of my life. What is surprising in this CD is that Winters remains faithful to Dicken's text. I had fully expected him to get carried away and go off on his fantastic tangents like he usually does with his own characters like Maudy Frickert or Elwood P Suggins. He doesn't.
   So, for those looking for a wild and crazy version of A Christmas Carol you COULD be disapointed. However, as a dedicated Winters fan, I enjoy this recording.



4. Jonathan Winters does a good job of narrating this Christmas classic, but the abridgment is pretty severe. Too much good stuff is left out. I prefer the unabridged Jim Dale version. My favorite is the unabridged cassette version read by Paul Scofield, but it seems to be out of print. If I could find that one on CD, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

No comments about Paul Bunyan.

5 comments about It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World: Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack [Enhanced CD].

1. This soundtrack is one of my favorite Ernest Gold works. I waited years for this to be available on CD. The score was touted as one of the stars of the film, and those who have seen this wonderfully humorous epic, like myself, would certainly agree. Even though no single cut from this soundtrack was distinctive enough on its own to ever make its mark in radio play, listeners will vividly recall scenes from the movie as they browse the tracks. I particularly enjoy the Main Title, Music at the Big W, and Adios Santa Rosita, among others. This soundtrack is reasonably listenable on its own. It includes a variety of musical styles wrapped together with a recurring theme that identifies itself as part of this classic film that is a who's who of comedy actors of it's time. If you haven't seen the 1963 film, get that as well - an all time comedy classic.

   Any of Ernest Gold's soundtracks are worth having if you like his music. Judgement at Nuremburg is a reprint of the original soundtrack and is now available. Other Ernest Gold soundtracks that I have heard include Exodus (with its famous theme music that did make radio play in its time), Ship of Fools, and On the Beach, an early cold war doomsday classic. By the way, with the exception of Exodus, the other films mentioned here were all directed by Stanley Kramer. Another collaboration between these two men was The Secret of Santa Vittoria, a WWII comedy/drama. Get your Ernest Gold now before it goes out of print.




2. Though touted as an original "soundtrack" recording, this is in actuality an original "score" recording. The soundtrack was recorded with the 106 member Los Angeles Philharmonic. This disc is a re-recording with a 65 piece orchestra, helmed by composer Ernest Gold. However, all of the well remembered themes are here, and some bits of memorable dialogue. Also included are full versions of "Thirty One Flavors," and "You Satisfy My Soul" - the songs heard during the scenes with Dick Shawn and Barrie Chase. All in all, a fun listening experience of music which was as much a character in the film as any of the actors.



3. If you loved the movie, you'll love this CD. I have seen the movie dozens of times and it's just wonderful to have the music available when I drive around, though somewhat less madly than these characters. The CD has all the essential musical elements from the movie and immediately calls to mind those parts of the film that are assocaited with it. Thanks, Mr. Gold, for having the foresight to produce it. The information that comes with the CD is great, too.



4. This is not the exact music heard in the movie. It is a remake. Someone should issue the ACTUAL music soundtrack heard in the movie on cd. They Could Take The Original 6-Track 70mm Optical Soundtracks, and use a mixing board to get rid of the dialogue and sound effects, and edit the selections to how they are heard on this CD, but they would be the originals heard in the movie (maybe throw in some extra music from the movie that has never appeared on any of the soundtrack albums in the past 41 years, hint, hint :). Until then, I guess this is as good as it gets.



5. Ernest Gold was so adept at his craft, it is hard to believe that much of his career was spent scoring unremarkable television programs and B-movies. His long-running relationship with director Stanley Kramer led to many collaborations, including It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World in 1963. Billed as "the comedy to end all comedies," this star-studded, Ultra Panavision 70 spectacle needed a rollicking soundtrack to match. And that, Ernest Gold delivered. Gold's "merry-go-round" approach captures the essence of Mad World's fruitless race perfectly; carefully orchestrated themes reflect and magnify the on-screen action.
   
   That stated, this compilation has its shortcomings. Obviously, this recording is not the original soundtrack but is instead a re-record with a smaller orchestra. The difference is particularly noticeable in the overture. Rather than an overwhelming, thundering chorus, the vocals seem to be coming from a stripped-down ensemble. The arrangements differ from the originals as well, with each track being much shorter than the movie version. Despite these departures from the original soundtrack, this recording is bold and well balanced with fidelity and noise control that is decent for its era. A casual listener would be hard-pressed to distinguish this recording from the actual soundtrack.
   
   Also on the CD are some dialog snippets taken from the movie, but I find these to be excessively annoying. The last track is an excerpt from Something a Little Less Serious, the 1991 making-of feature included on the "restored" video release.
   
   The liner booklet includes a fold-out movie poster--albeit from the 1970 theatrical re-release. The insert also contains notes by score critic Andy Dursin and some interesting photos but looks like a (good) graphic design student's senior project and somehow seems misplaced. (Personal rant:) And enough with plastering that damned MGM lion on everything--Mad World wasn't an MGM release!

2 comments about The Flintstones: Music From Bedrock (1994 Film).

1. I have the soundtrack on cassette, but I am wanting to get the CD. I LOVE the song Bedrock Twitch. The songs on this album are wonderful. I have listened to the cassette over and over. So if you love The Flintstones movie then you need to get the CD.



2. How the live-action version of the Flintstones is judged now, I don't know. The soundtrack, which was an instore play at my former workplace, was a mix of the prevalent music of the day, alternative, goofy pop, rap, early nu-metal, glam, some good, some not so good. Most of the songs are thematically tied to the movie, which isn't the case for many songs for other soundtracks, and they feature dialogue from the cartoon series.

   Choosing the B-52's, temporarily rechristened the BC-52's for two songs, to sing the theme song is along the lines of inventing the wheel, one of those really inventive ideas. They've gone back to the producers of Cosmic Thing here. Don Was in produces the theme song, perfect as Fred Schneider quirkiness and Katie Pierson's unique chirpiness add to the fun-ness of the song. Cartoon effects from the series are incorporated, such as running and Dino. And it's Nile Rodgers producing "The Bedrock Twitch" which is another danceable hit like "Love Shack." In this case, it's what, "stone roof, rusted"? If this was done in the 60's when dance crazes were all the hype.... I can imagine people jamming to "do the twitch like you got an itch itch itch."

   Some songs don't exactly go past second gear. Biethnic UK hip-hop/remix group Stereo MC's tackle "Human Being (Bedrock Steady)" a steady cycle of multilayered drum tracks and wailing vocals, while My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult's "Hit & Run Holiday" features the same industrial sounds they provided on the Cool World soundtrack, but with some more distorted vocals and horns. Not one of their better songs, and not too relevant to the movie.

   One of the last bows of Shakespears Sister, that group by ex-Bananarama singer Siobhan Fahey, is seen in the reggae of "Prehistoric Daze"

   Big Audio Dynamite do "Rock With The Caveman," opening with excerpts of some tribal chanting, then "Wilma, I'm home!" and then it's a Bill Haley-type 50's rock with guitar and piano and backing vocals. "Stalactite, stalagmite, hold your baby very tight." Clever that, with near the same fun as the BC-52's.

   "I Showed A Caveman How To Rock"? More like how to rap, given that it's US3 featuring Def Jef with some "yabadabadoo" and horn samples heard.

   "I Wanna Be A Flintstone": yes, that's the name of this hard-guitar/rockabilly song by the Screaming Blue Messiahs. Fred can be heard in the background, and in fact he stops the song with his "Hold it hold it! Hoo boy!"

   Laid back instruments, such as airy synths and piano, back bass vocals feature in the Crash Test Dummies' "In The Days Of The Caveman." It's an idyllic look back at a simpler time, when cavemen "didn't have to keep a certain bedtime" and were able to hear noises at nighttime. One of the better songs here.

   Actually, it's not "Anarchy In The UK", rather it's "anarchy in Bedrock" and "I WANNA BE FRED FLINTSTONE" in Green Jelly's over-the-top and constipated cover of the Pistol's classic anthem in which there are other liberties taken to, such as the lead singer yelling out "WILMA" as if Stan Kowalski was screaming for Stella in Streetcar Named Desire. I'm a purist at heart, but I'm only lightly unamused here.

   Some songs have been previously released. Weird Al Yankovic's "Bedrock Anthem," a send-up of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Under The Bridge" and "Give It Away." Some effects from the cartoon series include Dino's yapping and Barney Rubble "laughing like a hyena." And Was (Not Was) recycle a danceable soul single from their What's Up Dog? album, "Walk The Dinosaur," whose title was just asking to be put on a Flintstones album. Or Jurassic Park if that movie featured songs.

   A fair mix of songs reflecting mid-90's music, but why include an excerpt of the incidental music, i.e. Mesozoic Music by David Newman, which throws the whole thing off balance. Rating: three yabba-dabbas and a doo, rounded up to four yabba-dabbas.

1 comments about The Wonderful World of Jonathan Winters.

1. I bought this as an LP way back in 1960. I listened to it so much that I eventually could quote a lot of the routines from memory. I still laugh at them, all these years later. The marvelous thing is that Jonathan made them up on the spot, in front of a Las Vegas audience. He does wonderful takes on:
   
   o A typical prison picture ("How did he get two Sherman tanks in here? Don't tell me he snuck those in in a loaf of bread.")
   
   o A typical western movie ("All of a sudden, there's the 7th Cavalry. Seven members of the U.S. cavalry, just happened to be riding along about 3,000 miles from the fort. The leader rides up on a white horse. The rest of 'em have dirty horses, enlisted people.")
   
   o A hip version of Robin Hood (Robin shoots an arrow. Whistling sound effect, and it hits something. "That'll teach you, Daddy").
   
   There's a college football game where the homecoming queen has a voice like Broderick Crawford, a hungover airline pilot ("The engines, all of them, are missing...We'll be about 500 feet all the way"), and the Marine Corps in World War II, about to hit the beaches (First Lieutenant: "That should give you some idea of what you'll be up against tomorrow morning when you disembark....I'd hoped to be able to go with you. But they need me here.")
   
   I foolishly gave the album away years ago, and I was overjoyed to find a used copy in a record shop later on. Naturally, I grabbed it. Now, happily, it's available on CD. You should grab it, too.

5 comments about Little Bear - Winter Tales.

1. My 2-year-old daughter adores Little Bear -- we discovered him on Noggin -- and this tape is her current favorite. It's great because it's not totally holiday, so she will relate to it far longer than throughout December. Little Bear is an appropriate character for her age because the stories stress the importance of family and friends, imagination and pretend play, and respect and love. Many have questioned the use of the "Winter Solstice" on this one, but as a Christian I really don't mind it because it is relevant to the importance of holiday tradition. My daughter and I are going to make "bird cookies" to hang on a tree in our yard, just like Little Bear and his family did for the snow angels.
   I highly recommend any tape or DVD with Little Bear, although I understand that they are becoming out of print now. Bring back Little Bear!!



2. I was introduced to Little Bear while watching Noggin on television. I disconnected to digital cable t.v. but I loved the Little Bear programs on Noggin so much that I have bought 6 Little Bear videos and I just ordered the Little Bear Winter Soltice video in February. I watched this episode on television. As a Christian I did not find this particular episode offensive. On the contrary I thought it was quite warm hearted and enchanting. In one episode of Little Bear-not on the Winter Soltice- Little Bear was very sad because his very good friend Emily and her doll Lucy had to go back to school. Mother Bear sat in the rocking chair and gently rocked Little Bear while he drank a cup of hot chocolate and a tear rolled down his face. I felt so sorry for Little Bear. In another episode- it was so touching how Little Bear tenderly took care of Mother Bear while she was sick in bed with a cold. The bottom line is I like every episode of Little Bear that I have ever seen. I have six videos already. Little Bear is polite and courteous as are his friends. His parents and grandparents are comforting and good role models. Little Bear and his family and friends have enchanting and exciting adventures. If you want your child to learn how to get along with people and just plain good family values, I would recommend any Little Bear episode.



3. have to agree with the other reviewers; this cant possibly offend anyone....it keeps it simple and focuses on some of the true aspects of christmas; giving,loving, and warmth. i also was not offended (as a christian) on how this particular episode was written. little bear is my daughter's favorite and i honestly think they are so well written and so well done that any adult could enjoy watching them over and over. i know i do. it is nice to see that innocence is still around in children's television....as it is hard to find unless you really look.....it is definitly in the little bear movies and books.



4. i loved this video i didint like the show but i think i chandged my mind i am at the adge of 11 snd i love the video i wached it on nogin today i loved it i love little bear i bam a hudge fun of little vear i love the little bear is my favarite charictour on it emely and duck cat lots of the charictors i love hen too tel you what i will bwach the epsode of little bear thank you nickkalodein bandb nogin for makeinbg the sgiw firc akk if yiu chukdreb our there thank you soo much i hope you enjoy the most delightfull christmas movie ever christian diorio



5. Little Bear is always fun, interesting and enjoyable!! We enjoy his antics and
   have a whole library of Little Bear!! This one is worth watching!!

No comments about Jonathan Winters Tells the Stories of Peter and The Wolf.