Customer Reviews

The Andy Griffith Show

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album, the long-awaited reissue of the highly collectible 1961 vinyl original, should be required listening for every egomaniacal TV star who suddenly decides to add "recording star" to his resume. Simply put, this is one of the best - if not THE best - TV show-inspired albums ever made. The album brilliantly underscores the importance of music to the success of "The Andy Griffith Show." After all, the show had perhaps television's all-time catchiest theme (included here in all its carefree glory) and embraced an amazing variety of musical genres.

Andy belts out four folk chestnuts heard on the show ("The New River Train," "Cindy," "Flop Eared Mule" and "Sourwood Mountain"), backed up by the Country Boys, a wonderful bluegrass band who made two brief appearances on the show (before The Dillards made their indelible mark as the Darlings). Ange also sings "The Fishin' Hole" (with words by Everett Sloane, ornery Jubal Foster from "The Keeper of the Flame" episode) in the happy-go-luckiest way imaginable!

Best of all are the extended versions of composer-conductor Earle Hagen's character themes and incidental music, masterful compositions that enriched the program immeasurably. They are just as enjoyable, and more fully appreciated, outside the show's context. "Ellie's Theme" is sprightly and playful, in contrast to "Aunt Bee," which is much more wistful and melancholy than the program version, but both are beautiful. The urgent martial beat of "Manhunt" (unmistakably, Barney's theme) makes you want to take that bullet out of your pocket and go looking for jaywalkers. "Mayberry March" (later the theme to "Mayberry R.F.D.") gets the full John Philip Sousa treatment. Finally, there's "Barney's Hoe Down" (often heard as background music on the show), featured here in a big, proud, sprawling, all-American arrangement that Aaron Copland would heartily approve.

The only misstep is Andy's tedious retelling of "Jack and the Beanstalk." The album's producer (and Andy, too) should have realized that the comedian was at his best playing off the reactions of a live audience. This overproduced studio bit is uncomfortably humorless. (For the best of Andy's comedy monologues, check out either "Andy Griffith - American Originals" or "The Wit and Wisdom of Andy Griffith.")

Trivia note: The original album cover was used as a prop in Episode 19, "Mayberry on Record."

THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW was quite possibly the best sitcom to ever mosey onto the airwaves (who wouldn't wanna live in a town just like Mayberry?), and homespun music was as integral a part of its success as its gentle backwoods humor. From the snappy, whistled theme song (also available here with lyrics warbled by Andy as THE FISHIN' HOLE) to Griffith's good timey renditions of bluegrass traditionals such as SOURWOOD MOUNTAIN, FLOP EARED MULE, and CINDY, this album is an audio photograph of a simpler, more carefree time when a neighbor was also a friend, and a man's word still meant something. Thrown in for extra good measure is Griffith's own unique spin on fairy tale JACK, THE GIANT KILLER and familiar incidental instrumentals with titles like BARNEY'S HOEDOWN and MAYBERRY MARCH. This here's the next best thing to watchin' the reruns for the one hundredth time.

RATING: FIVE FISH ON THE LINE

My father bought this album when I was a child, and I remember listening to it often. Our family especially loved the story about Jack the Giant Killer. There is a variety of material on the album, including some bluegrass tunes and instrumental themes for different characters from the show. If you watch(ed) the show a lot, you would probably enjoy the CD.

I had this album when I was a child and the thing I remembered most was Andy telling the story "Jack the Giant Killer." When I saw this was available on CD, I knew I had to have it. There are also some good songs and theme music from the show. I've really enjoyed listening to it again. It sounds as good now as when I was a child.

I'd love to have a CD full of all the great songs sung by Sheriff Andy Taylor-- at the courthouse, on the porch, or in some hillbilly cabin... but at least this has 4 good bluegrass songs, and I do recall one from an episode (New River Train)-- and for the low price that seems OK. The instrumental theme music is interesting, too, evoking subconsious connections to the show. There's a long story, too-- a backwoods-flavored fairy tale-- that showcases Griffith's oratorical gifts, but didn't bear up to repeat listening.

I absolutely love this CD, being a life-long fan of the series. The incidental music included here, "Ellie's Theme", "The Man Hunt", "Mayberry March", and the tear-inducing "Aunt Bee" all bring back fond memories of this classic 60's series, maybe the best TV show of all time. My only complaint about the album is the sequencing, which I assume is the original sequencing. For instance, track #2 is the 8 and a half minute comedy monologue by Andy called "Jack, The Giant Killer", which would work better, IMO, near the end of the CD. I have resequenced my CD-R copy of this disc with the first 6 tracks being: 1. The Andy Griffith Show 2. Ellie's Theme 3. The Man Hunt 4. Flop Eared Mule 5. Mayberry March 6. Aunt Bee. These tracks are the very best on the CD and best represent the mood of the show. At any rate, at the low price Amazon has this CD here, you must have this in your collection if you're a fan of Andy & the show.

It is nice to get these gems and be able to enjoy them without having to be tied to a TV or look for specific episodes.

There was a lot more good music from the show they could and should have incluced, they probably could have drug this out to two or three cds but it's a fun little album and good for the price. Jack The Giant Killer story was a waste of like 8 minutes, should have axed this track.

Pleased ! Great CD. Bought it for my parrot to learn to whistle the song ! He loves it !

Absolutely - this music sets the mood, provides a "sence" of the moment, sometimes covers the movement of props, and generally steals without anyones notice. Excellent and right on point!