George Kirby: Night in Hollywood

George Kirby is both forgotten and underrated today, but in the nineteen fifties and early sixties he was, arguably, the most popular African-American comedian in white America. Many giants in the world of Black stand-up had larger followings: Moms Mabley, Pigmeat Markham and Slappy White probably all outweighed Kirby in terms of stature within the Black community, but Kirby found himself on white controlled network television with alarming frequency compared to his contemporaries. Thanks to his exposure on things like the honkyfied Kraft Music Hall and the premiere showcase for Black performers on network TV, The Ed Sullivan Show, Kirby was a nationwide, household name. Kirby is known best as a master mimic, but this early comedy record by the man showcases several aspects of his act. The LP was released on Dooto Records, the label responsible for pressing many fine releases by The Penguins, The Medallions and several million LPs from Redd Foxx. Dooto also put out Dolemite's first LP, Below the Belt, when he was still billed with just two names instead of three, as Rudy Moore. Unfortunately, Kirby fell victim to an undercover bust in the late seventies that sent him to jail for a few years. When he got out, his career was all but done. This album features George Kirby at his height. It has plenty of jazz elements, stock routines, references to reefer, and Kirby's remarkable larynx. George was famous for his ability to impersonate women's voices, and not in a campy drag queen kind of way. Both his bang on impressions of Ella Fitzgerald and Pearl Bailey are on display in this one. Now listen to George Kirby: Night in Hollywood.

Comments

[bux.to review]

that's funny

[bux.to review]

that's funny

[bux.to review]

that's funny

[Bugs, Baby]

Hey!

The joke at around 9.00 in, about "You marry who the hell you want... He ain't your daddy!"is the same one R.L. Burnside tells on his live album...

[Listener Kliph]

Yes, as mentioned, a lot of the routines on the album are stock material. The cuckoo clock - marijuana bit, with mild changes, is also performed by Moms Mabley on one of her albums.