Customer Reviews

Hanna Barbera's Pic-A-Nic Basket Cartoon Classics

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

 

 

A wonderful and mostly thorough collection of signature themes and musical cues from the Hanna-Barbera library; with top-notch digital remastering and extensive, informative liner notes. One drawback is the omission of the slightly obscure cartoon themes, notably from the 70s and 80s, in lieu of a generous (and obsessive) compilation of 60s "cartoony" themes and needle-drops. Most of the adventure/superhero themes from the late 60s onward are noticeably absent as well. But the production values are outstanding and the cartoon sound FXs are the best available, bar none (too bad they're not public domain). Hopefully someone from HB and/or Time-Warner is reading this and would consider additional releases to make this a truly complete package.

This is a set that meant Rhino Records had to take a big leap of faith in cartoon music fans to support such an effort. With 4 discs, very unusual packaging, a 35 page book, and a whopping 182 tracks, it had to be a small release - for only a real classic cartoon nut like me would even buy such a thing. This set is getting exceedingly rare and hard to find now, I have seen it sell for over $100 at shows. Yogi's basket to hold the CD's in.... Great idea, but do not use the handle, it is only for "show". The CD's have their own cases. My set is also ripped to my music player so I can hear it. Also the kids are always listening to the discs in the car. This is great for keeping them happy and me too.
Look at the entire track list on this page, it is a huge collection. And all of the classic shows are represented here. Flintstones, Huckleberry Hound, Jetsons, Magilla Gorilla, Yogi, Bear, Snagglepuss, Top Cat, Josie & the Pussycats, Scooby Doo, Quick Draw McGraw, Peter Potamus, Augie Dogie, Pixie & Dixie, and so many more! Plus tons of sound effects, background music and more.
And no one seems to mention, there is a great 35 page book included with the basket. It has an interview with the great Hoyt Curtin, and it has info on main cartoon theme songs. The book definitely adds to the value. I recommend this set to any Hanna-Barbera fan.

Let's face it: no-one in their right mind will sit down and listen to these cds in their entirety. It's not in the nature of the music. But as music to dip into when you need, it's fun.

But shame on Rhino for going only halfway with the packaging. It's a great design ruined by shoddy materials: what's the point of sticking a flimsy cardboard "picnic basket handle" on the box and warning (in tiny lettering on the box) against its use? When I went to pick it up it immediately broke.

Cartoons ruined my mind, back in the 1970s. Now I'm so messed up, I can't write a proper review of this product. Excuse me while I go throw a brick at someone's head. "Boink!!"

can you guess what two tunes are the best. well if you guessed scooby doo where are you and the banana splits than you are correct. those tunes rock. all the others suck. five stars for the two tunes and no stars for the rest.