Customer Reviews

Banned Barbershop Ballads

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I found this album while browsing iTunes. I had never heard of it before, and what a cool surprise! I'm familiar with Sherman's work with various Disney films...but this certainly isn't Disney. The songs are short, irreverent comedy pieces, and (as explained in a bonus track by Sherman and Larsen), all the things people don't want to say out loud. It's not strictly traditional barbershop per se, but the style is there as is the harmonizing. If you like your harmony dished up with irreverence and a dash of Lehrer, get this album.

These songs are hilarious! As I indicated, though, they are irreverent and politically incorrect. Some have twisted humor which the Addams Family might appreciate. I collect songs and compositions of acclaimed Disney composer, Richard Sherman, and found these on a recent search for such work. These are NOT Disney, film, or stage compositions in any form. Mr. Sherman and his friend Larsen created a set of songs to compliment their earlier record "Smash Flops" all of which are novelty songs, created for fun and not connected to each other or to any other work. As I said, these are funny and show an askew view of some historical events. I don't think I'd even say that these are cleared for the entire family. If you know history, you'll appreciate the alternative settings and outcomes of the historical events and settings. I appreciate these works as a glimpse into the personal expressions and views of a cherished Disney / family composer on an adult level with adult issues. Although the recording is titled "barbershop" few are actually traditional barbershop quartet songs. They are all in the style of that genre of 19th century early 20th century novelty songs such as barbershop, Dixieland, and vocal ballads.

A musical mélange of bad taste, impropriety and social embarrassment from Milt Larsen and award winning Richard M. Sherman includes satirical songs based on terribly unfunny subjects such as Watch World War Three on Pay TV, When Amelia Earhart Flies Home, Sleepy Cape Canaveral Moon plus 14 others. Bonus "Authors Speak" included. Funny! Lyrical!