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

Homer & Jethro | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 18, 1997)
• Original Release Date: March 18, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Razor & Tie
• ASIN: B000002ZB3
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,655 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #82 in Music > Country > Comedy

Editorial Reviews

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

Product Description

These two were known around the land for their hilarious musical lampoons of everyone from Elvis and the Beatles to Johnny Mathis and Hank Williams. But it was their surprising musicianship that earned them so many hit records. Nearly all of their pop and country hits are included in this new collection, and the CD's got five bonus tracks including one that was unreleased previously. Also includes The Battle of Kookamonga; (How Much Is) That Hound Dog in the Window; Baby, It's Cold Outside; Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyeballs; Hernando's Hideaway; Tennessee Border #2; I Want to Hold Your Hand , and many more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank God they're finally on CD!!!!!, August 9, 2000

By 

Gary Sivits (Fort Wayne, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: America's Song Butchers: The Weird World Of Homer & Jethro (Audio CD)

I can't believe Homer & Jethro are finally on CD! I've been listening to their records since I was a kid, and I got damn near all of them. If you like Zany Comedy, THESE two nuts are for you!!! They were the Weird Al Yankovic's of their day, taking the popular songs of that era, country and pop, and completely slaughtering them. I LOVE 'EM!!! BUY IT! BUY IT! BUY IT!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a Hoot!, June 7, 2000

By 

"bobbybutton" (Hollywood, California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: America's Song Butchers: The Weird World Of Homer & Jethro (Audio CD)

If you like pickin' and singin' done with a smile, this CD is for you. Homer and Jethro were AM radio hit makers in the 40's, 50's and 60's. If you are not familar with Homer and Jethro, let this CD be your introduction. Lots of fun here and all tracks are ORIGINAL RECORDINGS. Well performed and produced. Good liner notes with pictures. The only problem is you will not know where to put them in your labrary; Comedy?; Country?; Favorite Listening? I love this CD and so will you. Go ahead and buy it. You'll be glad you did.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous, wickedly funny, GREAT musicians, January 31, 2003

By 

Self-kerbed "Kerbistani Rebel" (Kerby, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: America's Song Butchers: The Weird World Of Homer & Jethro (Audio CD)

I grew up listening to Homer and Jethro albums and I'd like to think their music helped shaped my (admittedly twisted) values and kick-started a lifelong love affair with bluegrass mandolin and musical anti-snobbery. Seriously, folks -- these two fellers were total genuises. As befits true genius, they were humble and thus free to be incredibly, and accurately, funny. Some may think this music is corny; can't win 'em all. But those of you who aren't up on some petard will recognize that what Ken and Henry did way back when is *timeless*. A gem. No home is complete without this CD!! Wonderful music to bring home to the kids, too!