Customer Reviews

Miss Gulch Returns

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

How to begin to describe this show? Fred Barton, music directing genius, adopts the persona of perhaps the least-remembered character in the Wizard of Oz and, in a dazzling series of witty, slightly raunchy, and bitter songs and monologues, creates an event simultaneously gut-splittingly funny and heartfelt. To do either with the craft that Barton puts into his material is remarkable; to do both is fantastic.

"Pour me a Man" contains more double entendres than you can shake a stick at (assuming that you stop convulsing with laughter long enough to grab a stick), "Born on a Bike" is a splended parody of Judy Garland's "Born in a Trunk," and "Not My Idea of a Gig," the piano bar pianist's lament, contains some of the most virtuoso rhymes this side of Cole Porter.

The comedy is not contextless, however; all this leads to the sobering "Everyone Worth Taking," which concludes both halves of this show and gives it a human heart so lacking in most parody artists.

Easily one of the most original cabaret shows ever conceived and brilliantly executed.

Master songwriter Fred Barton brings to life Almira Gulch, the snippity, crotchety, black-and-white alter-ego to the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz. Did you ever wonder what might have made her so bitter?

With the skill of a musical journeyman, Barton takes a throw-away character and gives her hopes and dreams, frailties and fears, and carries you deep inside the mind of a woman on a life-long search for love.

With brilliant parodies, haunting melodies, and a fair dash of hilarity, this album also manages to poke fun at cheating lovers, unappreciative mates, and even Dorothy herself. The song "Pour Me a Man" is worth at least twice the cost of the album (and maybe more, since there's even a reprise on track 9!)

Does Miss Gulch find love? I won't spoil that for you, but I can guarantee that when you hear this album, you won't be disappointed! (And the liner notes will keep you captivated for hours!)

Fred Barton (unknown to the mainstream audience) has taken his love for movies ("A Star is Born", "Wizard of Oz," etc) and created a wickedly funny musical based on Almira Gulch (The Wicked Witch of the West BEFORE the cyclone) and her life pre and post "Wizard of Oz." With marked inspiration from other classic movies, Barton picks up your imagination with his cyclonic humor and drops you in the middle of "pour me a man" land and leaves you laughing, commiserating but mostly wanted more. Highly recommended listening when you want "the whole story."

This CD is AMAZING!! It is hysterically funny, with clever lyrics and a great delivery that toggles between funny and touching. Would highly recommend to anyone with a sense of humor and a sharp mind.

I'm so thrilled to see that this is on CD! I've had the original vinyl album since 1987, but the updated medium will make it so much easier to share this brilliant bit of writing and performing with all! Never has the double-entendre been used so wonderfully, and the piano prowess of Mr. Barton is awe-inspiring. I wish the sheet music for this were available! "Pour Me a Man" is the most famous, but everybody I've played it for loves "Not My Idea of a Gig" most of all! HOW can one person be so utterly clever with lyrics, sly references, and CAMP!

Fred Barton is a genius. Just when you thought it was safe to get on your bicycle again, Barton proves that there is more to humor than silliness or smut. I was very suspicious of anyone putting the life of another Oz character to music, but Barton brings such wit, musical talent, smart humor, and genuine feeling to this project that you can't help but fall in love. Touching without being superficial, funny without being "insider-ish," this album rises far above camp. They don't make comedy like this anymore, and they should!

It's not often that track stays with you a long time after you listen to it. Fred's songs are not only humorous, clever, and down right funny, they can also be heart warming (Everyone worth taking) and plain ol' sassy (I'm a bitch). His melodies are infectious and it's one of the few CD's I can go back and continually listen to over and over and catch something new.

I first saw Fred's show over 20 years ago (OK, it was 25 years!) and was thrilled to discover it was a CD!!! Just wish it was a DVD!!! The only thing better than hearing it is seeing Fred 'do' Elmira!!! It would bring the house down night after night!!!
Thank you Fred!!!
Gisele (Guilbert) Anderson
An Inn-by-the-Sea caberet waitress!

This album first made it's way into my collection in the vinyl format in the mid-80's. It's a witty and funny cabaret style performance. Ms. Gulch is a device for the show, she was actually played by Margaret Hamilton, a professional in the truest sense of the word. But in the hands of Mr. Barton she becomes a cynical but humorous character I love to spend time with.

It was such a joy to find this available on CD and be able to return this to my playlist.

I bought the album and cassette versions when they were first released many years ago and loved the witty lyrics and catchy tunes Mr. Barton created. The fact that I am an Oz fan and this ties in with the classic movie was a factor.
I got the meet Mr. Barton in Atlanta at that time when he was assistant musical director for a touring company of Caberet.
If you are a fan of Oz and want to know the true story behind Miss Gulch or if you just like a good caberet act including such great songs as "Born on a Bike" (a great take off of Garland's Born in a Trunk, "Pour Me a Man", and "I'm a B#$*h", you will love this CD!