Customer Reviews

Freakin' at the Freakers Ball

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

In 1973, I was in High School and my girlfriend gave me a copy of the original album. She and the album taught me more about sex than I had ever dreamed there could be. The title track alone had me looking up "necrophilia" and a dozen other deviations.

This album has been a cherished part of my collection now for almost 30 years. Not just because of the memories, but because the music is so damn good. Shel Silverstein, Dr. Hook and the others play some crankin' tunes, and it's impossible to feel down when you sing along to "Polly in a Porny".

Perhaps the most compelling thing I can say about this album is that my ex-wife absolutely hated it (She was the Kenny-G type, but a great "Thumbsucker"). Anyway, my turntable died a few years ago and I moved all my vinyl records into a box in the basement. Of all the albums in that box, I miss this one the most. Tonight, while browsing Amazon, I was elated to find it again on CD! I'm sure that my new "Masochistic Baby" will love it.

I don't own it on CD, so I don't know about the additional songs that have been added, but the original album is just fabulous. From the first track "Thumbsucker" (a hell of a parody/tribute to all those gospel/soul stuff common in the 60s, but boy, what a twist) to the irreverency of "I Got Stoned and I Missed it" and "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love Most" to the final track, one that gives me chills every single time I hear it, "The Man That Got No Sign." It was the track I heard just before I found out about Shel's death and I wonder about that to this very day.

Anyway, go buy it if you have a less than politically correct (aka incredibly subversive) sense of humor and marvel that this gem actually got promoted by CBS, let alone produced. OK, so the promos were directed towards "Sahra (note the spelling) Cynthia Sylvia Stout.." but still, that's promotion anyway.

A true classic in the field of albums of humorous songs. All the songs here are very funny (with the sole exception of "The Man Who Got No Sign"). Many of these songs will be familiar to listeners of The Dr. Demento Show, especially the legendary "Sahra Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out". The lyrics to that particular song were later included in one of Silverstein's books of poetry for children (as was "The Peace Proposal"), but this is not an album for children. Many of these songs are about sex and/or drugs. If you are one of Uncle Shelby's adult fans, you will probably love this album. The CD includes three bonus tracks, all of which are about the music industry, oddly enough.

Only one song on this album can be found in his children books. In the seventies this album was rated X, without a cuss word on it. Those who have heard Shel's other albums, may think this was his best produced. Great backup from other musicians. A must for any Dr. Hook fan.

Best. Lyric. Ever: "I spend each dime I can afford. I swear it's gonna win an academy award. I saw Polly in a porny with a pony, and the pony seemed a little bored."

By profession, Shel Silverstein was a cartoonist and his work has appeared in several American magazines; he has also written poetry, plays, short stories and a number of children's books. His prowess as a song writer came to the attention of the record buying public via the music of a bunch of loonies collectively known as Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show. Shel wrote many songs for this band - the best known ones include : 'Sylvia's Mother', 'The Cover of The Rolling Stone', and 'The Ballad of Lucy Jordan'; Dr. Hook have also covered a number of the songs to be found on this album. The album was originally released in 1969 and it was re-issued on CD (with 3 bonus tracks) in 1999, following Shel's death.

Shel's vocal style is an acquired taste and this album typifies that style - he can be heard growling, wheezing and cackling his way through the songs (he also manages to sing on the odd occasion). Instrumental and vocal accompaniment are provided by Dr. Hook (amongst others) - including Dennis Locorriere (or is it Ray Sawyer?) joining in with spasms of maniacal laughter from time to time.

With this album, you get a taste of Shel's personal worldview as he turns his attention to popular counterculture of the late 1960s. With some of the songs, by using a combination of parody, satire and innuendo, he proffers a tongue in cheek challenge to the (then) received wisdom of liberal attitudes towards sex and drugs. I say 'tongue in cheek' because I get the distinct impression that he doesn't exactly disapprove either; he is simply being a realist by pointing out that over-indulgence does have its downside - with the tacit implication that anyone who thinks otherwise is ever so slightly delusional. Not all of the songs deal with the themes of sex and/or drugs - there are a good few others that are just plain weird.


Some cogitations upon the meaning of life :

I GOT STONED AND I MISSED IT - A song which exemplifies the classic dichotomy presented by drug induced oblivion, i.e. on the one hand, by removing inhibitions, you are encouraged to do it; whilst on the other, it means you can't remember what it was you did (or who you did it with).

FREAKIN' AT THE FREAKERS BALL - The song revolves around a gaggle of sado-masochists, necrophiliacs and others with esoteric recreational interests; ordinary folks just trying to loosen up a bit after a hard day at the office - with friends like this, who needs enemas?

DON'T GIVE A DOSE TO THE ONE YOU LOVE MOST - A cautionary tale of life, love and sexually transmitted diseases; an ode to the man who has been given everything (except penicillin).

LIBERATED LADY - A celebration of the dubious benefits of 'role reversal' - misogynists may have some difficulty coming to terms with the song's ethos.

EVERYONE'S MAKIN' IT BIG BUT ME - Not, as the song's title might imply, a lament from a guy who is experiencing an episode of hydraulic dysfunction. The song is merely an expression of puzzlement - about why the trappings of superstardom should be so elusive.


I rarely play this album now but, at the same time, I would never bin it. It's a memento of a period in my life when things were so very different - those were the days (or were they?). There are various Shel Silverstein compilations, and these cover a broader range of his song writing styles. However, if you are looking for sardonic humour, then you can't get much better than 'Freakers' - but seriously folks, not recommended listening for those who are excessively prudish.

A classic album. If you have never heard Shel Silverstein, this is a great album to have. His kid books are also great, but his music has got to be heard. Enjoy!

I have nothing to add about the brilliance of this album, only to say that I'm surprised more has not been made of the fact that Shel's dear friends and musical cronies, Dr Hook (and The Medicine Show), were the band on most of this excellent album!
They're scattered through the crowd on the cover.
As a matter of fact, if you look hard, Dennis Locorriere is on there twice!
Really!

Shel Silverstein is great and he sounds a lot like Audrey II from the 1986 film Little Shop of Horrors.

You will laugh and sing along to this album at the same time. A great collection of some of Shel's best.His brilliant and delightfully warped mind has entertained us for years. Top album. DJ.