Larry Storch live at the Bon Soir (1961)

The Bob Crane Show - Promotional LP featuring Jonathan Winters, George Jessel and Nichols and May (1961)

Joe E. Ross - Love Songs From a Cop - Roulette Records (1964)

Here is a surprisingly enjoyable LP from the notorious Joe E. Ross. He recorded this as part of a deal to pay off his Mob debts. No joke.

The Life and Times of Rusty Warren

Just finished writing a new article for WFMU about one of the all-time legends of comedy records. Go read The Life and Times of Rusty Warren.

Vaughn Meader Documentary (2008)

Dunno how this got passed my radar. Has anyone seen it? The documentary I mean, not my radar.

 

Redd Foxx: Jokes I Can't Tell on Television (1960)

Don't Blame the Bossa Nova by Jackie Mason (1963)

Yellow Submarine by Milton Berle (1968)

Wally Cox 78: Dufo - What a Crazy Guy (1951)

"What a crazy guy" was essentially Wally Cox's catchphrase that was somewhat of a connector in his old stand-up act. His act won him first prize on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts around 1949.

Pigmeat Markham - Who Got the Number? (1968)

Don Bowman: From Mexico with Laughs Featuring The Tijuana Drum and Bugle Corps (1967)

Don Bowman was an obscure "country comedian" and also a musician who gained some moderate fame thanks to a boost from RCA Vice President Chet Atkins. Bowman had already released four previous LPs of novelty country music, sorta in the tradition of Homer and Jethro. This was his stab at a concept album and, for the first time on a Bowman album, contains a great deal of spoken word, recorded in front of a small live audience featuring members of Nashville's showbiz elite (and a glimpse into the prevalent marijuana use in late sixties Nashville). Bowman was well respected as a straight songwriter around Nashville (and contributed some stuff later for the Waylon & Willie album) and appeared in country music drive-in pictures like Hillbillys in a Haunted House (1967). Bowman is still alive and has a myspace page and is currently convalescing from a stroke he suffered last year.

This 1967 comedy record was a take-off on Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass, although a lot of the satire doesn't make a lot of sense since that group consisted of white guys doing what was Mexican flavored music as opposed to an actual Mexican band. But this was the old days and making fun of those south of the border was always good for some cheap larfs. The best moments on this record are the songs and the spoofs of the music itself - the rest is what it is. Mildly offensive and not particularly hilarious, but still an interesting and - for nerds like me - often fascinating little obscurity - with a surprising amount of pot humour. 

Listen to Don Bowman - From Mexico with Laughs

The Very Funny Side of Pete Barbutti (1966)

Pete Barbutti was/is a really funny guy and like Jack Sheldon and Steve Allen (and in one horrific instance, Eddie Harris) was simultaneously a comedian and jazz musician and great at both. This is a surprisingly hard to find LP.

Listen to The Very Funny Side of Pete Barbutti 

Mae West: Way Out West (1966)

Mae West started her showbiz comeback was this LP in 1966. Mae was backed up by The Standells, who worked without credit, despite posing on the cover. The LP came with a poster. 

Listen to the whole album - Way Out West - Mae West

Track Listings:

Treat Him Right

When a Man Loves a Woman

You Turn Me On

Shakin All Over

If You Gotta Go

Lover, Please Don't Fight

Day Tripper

Nervous

Twist and Shout

Boom Boom

Mae Day

Yogi Yorgesson Christmas Tracks

Foster Brooks - The 12 Days of Christmas (1973)

You can also watch Foster Brooks play a drunk driver in the Christmas episode of Adam-12(!!!) on Hulu here.

Barbara Feldon Novelty Single (1966)

During the height of Get Smart's popularity, Barbara Feldon was persuaded to record this great novelty single. According to WouldYouBelieve.com:

"The 45 has Barbara Feldon singing two songs. "99" was written by M. Grudeff and R. Jessel, arranged and conducted by Charlie Fox and released by RCA's Miracle Records. The flip side was "Max", written by J. Daniels and J. Rose, with Fox doing the arranging and conducting as well. Feldon sang "99" in her recent Broadway show..."

Where Ya Callin' From Charlie featuring Arnold Stang (1959)

One of the greatest voices in showbiz history. I can tell you everything you want to know about Arnold Stang over here.

Nipsey Russell - Confucius Told Me (1959)

A cornball "Adults Only" recording from Nipsey Russell. Listen to the whole album - Confucius Told Me.

Pat Harrington Jr. - Some Like it Hip (1960)

Listen to the whole album - Some Like it Hip

Bull! - Tim Conway and Ernie Anderson LP (1966)

I attempted to upload this album last year but encountered audio problems with the mixer. Here it is in corrected, stereophonic glory. Ernie Anderson's voice is instantly recognizable as the voice of ABC and he is beloved by many for his stint as horror movie host Ghoulardi - a character who will be making a couple appearances in this spot in time for Halloween. Tim Conway's voice is instantly recognizable as Tim Conway.

Listen to the whole album - Bull!