Customer Reviews

Stan Freberg Presents The United States Of America, Vol. 2, The Middle Years

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was six years old when my parents bought the original LP of Volume One, and I have listened to it regularly in the 39 years since. Not only has Volume One been committed to my memory for many years now, but it has become a part of my daily life. Phrases from that disc regularly creep into my conversations, often apropos of nothing. That album is simply one of the funniest, most wonderfully creative records ever made. Freberg's voice is just FUNNY, even when he's not trying. He always has been able to surround himself with the finest voices in the business, and many of them are here, including Paul Frees, Jesse White and June Foray. This warped history lesson also includes brilliant sound effects by Jimmy MacDonald, and extraordinary musical arrangements by Billy May. The original CD release on Capitol (which took WAY too long to happen) included some extra material that Freberg found in the Capitol vaults and re-inserted. That material is carried over here in this Rhino release, which is accompanied by the long-awaited Volume Two. Sad to say, Volume Two does not live up to its predecessor. Freberg, Foray and White are all back, but White was fresh from a stroke, and it's painful to hear him here, especially if you've just listened to his wonderfully energetic performance on Volume One. It's good to hear Freberg stalwart Peter Leeds back again too, along with new voices in the persons of Tyne Daly, John Goodman, David Ogden Stiers, Harry Shearer, Sherman Hemsley, Lorenzo Music, and Freberg's own children, among others. But the material is weaker here, and too much time is spent explaining things to the listener (especially on "Stephen Foster, Beloved Songwriter," which would otherwise be the funniest thing on here), as opposed to Freberg's assumption on Volume One that we already knew what we needed to know to find the humor. Still, the weaknesses in Volume Two are far, FAR outweighed by the strengths of Volume One. Volume One has, for years, been used in schoolroom history classes, with great success in keeping students interested and entertained. It's a brilliant piece of work by the man who may be the single most brilliant satirist ever, the wonderful Stan Freberg.

"Vol. 1, The Early Years" is without a doubt the best comedy recording I have ever heard. I personally discovered it back in the mid-80s, when I came across a copy of the album one Saturday at the radio station where I worked. It was listened to many a time "in cue" or after sign-off. I simply could not get enough of it. I also listened repeatedly to his "Original Cast" greatest hits album and the classic "Freeberg Underground" live recording he did in the mid-60s at the Hollywood Bowl.

Ever since then, I had hoped that a) Vol. 1 would someday come out on CD, and b) that he would eventually make good on his promise in the original album's liner notes to bring out a Vol. 2.

Well, both of my wishes came true. Vol. 1 is out on CD and as good if not better than I remember it. Plus, they added back in some parts that were cut so the original recording could fit on one LP. Vol. 2, on the other hand, is a *major* disappointment.

Vol. 2 simply tries too hard. It tries to tackle a huge amount of American history (from the late 1700s through the end of World War I) in 34 tracks on one CD (a virtually impossible task). It tries to satirize events during the Civil War (a hopeless task). And, its satire lacks the "let's not take ourselves too seriously" light-heartedness of Vol. 1, which is another way of saying it is trying to be Politically Correct.

It's a shame Vol. 2 wasn't written and produced soon after Vol. 1. I honestly believe Stan and Co. would have come up with another classic.

I too wish Rhino still offered Vol. 1 separately. From a marketing/business standpoint, I understand why they don't do it.

Still, if you don't have Vol. 1, it's worth the sacrifice to buy the two-volume set just to get it. Who knows? You may end up liking Vol. 2. If not, it makes a good (albeit expensive) coaster.

Stan Freberg is undoubtedly a master satirist-Volume 1 of his "United States Of America" was originally released in 1961 & became an immediate classic-Thirty-five years later in 1996,Freberg decided to put out his long awaited sequel:"The United States Of America,Volume 2"-Both volumes are equally hilarious & memorable-My favorite routines are "A Man Has To Be Careful Of What He Signs These Days" (Declaration Of Independence),"Take An Indian To Lunch This Week" (The first Thanksgiving),& "The Appomatox Bar & Grill"-Freberg is ably assisted by a fine supporting cast:The late Paul Frees & Jesse White on Volume 1 & David Ogden Stiers,Sherman Hemsley,& Tyne Daly on Volume 2-It's a known fact that most students are turned off by history-However,if teachers were to play this album in their classes,I think the students would change their minds in a heartbeat-If you're a major league Stan Freberg fan like myself,don't hesitate to purchase this outstanding 2-CD set.

Vol. II is, I have to say, not quite as sharp or tight as Vol. I. It is every bit as Frebergian but there's an indefinable "something" missing. Maybe it's as simple as realizing that what was almost heretical in the 60's is seen as a lot tamer today.

This didn't spoil my enjoyment in any way. I was actually more surprised by the fact that Vol.I (as represented on the CD) is not the same Vol. I that I used to have on record. There have been some tweaks and additions here and there and I keep wondering just when a new line whad been added to Betsy Ross's flag song and when Paul Revere's sketch rode in. I wonder if there was a reissue of the record at some point with these little additions.

The fun with American history continues! Volume 1 (The Early Years) has been my all-time favourite comedy album - and it's still as funny as ever. I have waited 35 or more years for Volume 2 ... and it was worth it. The running "french horn" gag is still there and so are some of the "original cast". The well-worn 33 rpm Capitol album is full of scratches so the re-issue on CD of Vol 1 is welcomed. A great set that is "timeless". One problem ... Where's Volume 3, Mr. Freburg ... don't keep us waiting so long this time.

"As you listen to this album you'll soon begin to understand why Stan Freburg flunked American history in high school."

So begins the insert for The United States of America Vol. 1 & 2. The first volume (The Early Years) is a classic, named by TIME as the best comedy album ever! The stories are almost beleivable, Freburg does them so well. Every track is hilarious, especially "Yankee Doodle Go Home" and "Declaration of Independance." The best clean humor ever!

The second volume, the Middle Years, is a different story. As soon as you hear the first track about Jefferson, Franklin, and Osbourne, you know that this album doesn't carry the same innocent, raw humor as the first. The time periods are too spread out, creating a confusing and disoriented atmosphere. The songs stink. The only really funny track is "Steven Foster, Beloved Songwriter," which could be the funniest sequence in both the discs.

This stuff is great, especially if you know your US history before you listen (you'll appreciate some inside jokes if you do).

Part one is an absolute classic, and I was hoping to get a copy to pass along to the next generation in our family. As others have said here, the taglines from that wonderful album became taglines in our family. But part two is just sad ... like those awful Encyclopedia Brittannica TV spots Freberg had his kid doing a decade or so ago. Watching somebody you really loved and admired try to go back to the well is depressing. What's even more depressing is to find that apparently you can only get Volume One bundled -- and tracks intermixed -- with Volume Two. My suspicion is that it's the only way to sell that pathetic attempt at a Second Act. Wish I felt differently -- I really wanted to like this, but it just isn't funny.

I have been a BIG fan of this album for well over two decades, since I came across the LP at the local library as a teenager. I was simply in stitches, and searched at used record stores until I found a copy of my own, which I eventually wore out in my repeated listenings.

So I was excited when I heard that after all these years, Vol. 2 was finally coming. But what a disappointment.

Vol. 1 has great songs like "Round Round World", "Take an Indian to Lunch" and "A Man Can't be Too Careful What He Signs These Days" that not only sparkle with satiric wit, but are great tunes I sometimes find myself humming.

The songs in Vol. 2, however, fall flat and just feel, well, forced. And that applies to all of Vol. 2 as well. The sense is that they had a list of punch lines they were set on, and didn't stop to think if it was funny or not. Funny is not a word that can be applied to Vol. 2, sadly.

So buy it for Vol. 1. You can just discard the other disc.

A must buy for any Freberg fan, any U.S. history buff, and pretty much any...one at all with a sense of humour, this set is boxed audio hysteria. Fans already familiar with Freberg's incomparable style will not be disappointed. Lots of truly witty songs and insights, and of course, the manditory running gags that cause the listener to groan a little louder every time. For everyone who wished that "St. George and the Dragonet" could have been developed into a whole album...

Stan Freberg Presents The United States of America Vol. 1 is probably the greatest non-standup comedy album of all time. Originally released in 1961, in told the history of the USA in a humorous way, through skits and songs. After the success of the album, a producer came to Freberg with the idea of turning it into a Broadway show. Freberg wrote additional material for the show, covering the history of America up to World War II, but was advised not record United States Vol. 2 until after the show opened. Unfortunately, the Broadway show never did get off the ground, and Freberg got too busy with his advertising career to record the follow up album. But 35 years after Vol. 1, Freberg finally did get around to recording Vol. 2. The material is basically what Freberg wrote over 30 years before, but updated to include references to things like "the internet" and "political correctness". It's not as good as the original album, but it's not nearly as bad as some people say. Will there ever be a Vol. 3? I doubt it, but I personally would like to hear it.