The Singles Collection 1947-60

Stan Freberg was a comedian, broadcaster, writer and actor who was best-known for his satirical radio shows and recordings during the 1950s and ‘60s. Starting his career providing the voices for cartoon animations at Warner Bros., he graduated in the late ‘40s to being a screen actor in satirical roles. He appeared on a 1947 release by Cliffie Stone’s Barn Dance band before starting recording for Capitol under his own name in 1951, specialising in doing parodies of current popular songs and styles, and had nearly twenty charted hits during the ‘50s – quite a feat for comedy material which was out of the pop mainstream. This 45-track 2-CD set comprises the A & B sides of singles which were released during the period, and naturally features all his hits, including the No. 1 “St. George and The Dragonet”, along with other Top 20 classics like “Little Blue Riding Hood” and the marvellous satirical takes on “The Yellow Rose Of Texas”, “Sh-Boom”, and “Cry”. This was a fascinating and highly individual strand of the recording business of the era, when satirical comedy and social commentary of all kinds became popular during a time of social and musical upheaval, and this collection is an entertaining memento of one its most distinctive practitioners.