Frank Loesser was a big-time Broadway composer who penned the scores for The Most Happy Fella, How To Succeed In Business Without Even Trying and Guys and Dolls. His greatest claim to fame in this corner of the internets is the double 45 Extended Play release Homer and Jethro Fracture Frank Loesser. Far from the dumb-ass hillbilly antics of Hee Haw, yet hick enough to be just plain stupid, Homer and Jethro enjoyed a long and funny career as sought-after Nashville session men and all-around serial screwballs. More biographical info within along with a personal endorsement from Frank Loesser.
The Moon of Manakoora
On A Slow Boat To China
If I Were A Bell
A Bushel and a Peck
Once In Love with Amy
Have I Stayed Away Too Long
Baby, It's Cold Outside
My Darling, My Darling
Great stuff. To quote a WFMU DJ with a raucous Thursday night program (if I may), "Where the hell's the Homer & Jethro box set?"
Posted by: Listener Greg G. | July 23, 2008 at 11:54 AM
The only company that might do up a Homer & Jethro box set up right would be Bear Family.
Posted by: Krys_O. | July 23, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Very nice addition. I particularly like H&J's version of "Baby, It's Cold Outside", even if *two* guys cozying up to one gal is a little kinky.
By the way, the full name of the Loesser musical is "The MOST Happy Fella." You can hear selections from the original production in a memorable "I Love Lucy" episode.
Posted by: Chris Acklin | July 23, 2008 at 07:17 PM
The 'gal' singing along on "Baby, It's Cold Outside" is none other than June Carter Cash. June and the boys re-create this musical moment on the Johnny Cash TV show in the 1970s. That segment is now available on the new 2-DVD Johnny Cash TV box set.
My favorite track: "My Darling."
The great thing about listening to a Homer and Jethro record: The first time you laugh at the jokey lyrics. But you can play the tracks again just to enjoy the superb mandolin/guitar bridges. These guys are really top musicians.
Later on the boys would add a full backup band, but I prefer these earlier "string" arrangements.
Posted by: Ted Hering | July 23, 2008 at 11:10 PM
"May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up your Nose" coming out of the Zenith console had us rolling as kids. But it's true, they were great musicians.
Posted by: Dale Hazelton | July 24, 2008 at 11:59 AM
We had a Homer and Jethro Christmas 45 growing up - I think it was called "Randolph the Flat Nosed Reindeer" or something. It was played at least once a year during xmas music "season", and I was always fascinated by it. I remember it having the same kind of wacky graphics as this cover. Thanks for the Homer and Jethro appreciation! A Homer & Jethro boxed set would be a mighty cool item.
Posted by: lissi | July 26, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Quoting lissi's previous post:
>> We had a Homer and Jethro Christmas 45 growing up - I think it was called "Randolph the Flat Nosed Reindeer" <<
Re-live those thrilling days of yesteryear ...
http://snipurl.com/randolph-reindeer
Posted by: Harpo JB | July 28, 2008 at 11:47 AM
>>Great stuff. To quote a WFMU DJ with a raucous Thursday night program (if I may), "Where the hell's the Homer & Jethro box set?"<<
>>The only company that might do up a Homer & Jethro box set up right would be Bear Family. <<
Sorry, it's not forthcoming. I met Richard Weitz, head of Bear Family, at an ICMC function in 2007 and asked him if he'd ever considered putting out a box set on Homer and Jethro. I did not get "and Jethro" out of my mouth before he started shaking his head, saying he'd lose money on such a project.
I'm writing a biography on H&J. If it sells, maybe Bear Family will change its mind.
Posted by: K.F. Raizor | March 14, 2009 at 08:18 PM