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Ernie Kovacs Record Collection
Ernie Kovacs
Ernie Kovacs Record Collection
Genres: Special Interest, Pop, Rock, Soundtracks
 
  •  Track Listings (19) - Disc #1

In the 1950s, comic Ernie Kovacs was a pioneer in breaking down television's "fourth wall" and making the process of doing the show part of the joke. (And you thought David Letterman invented that.) Key to Kovacs's brand o...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Ernie Kovacs
Title: Ernie Kovacs Record Collection
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Varese Sarabande
Original Release Date: 7/15/1997
Release Date: 7/15/1997
Genres: Special Interest, Pop, Rock, Soundtracks
Styles: Comedy & Spoken Word, Easy Listening
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 030206578928

Synopsis

Amazon.com
In the 1950s, comic Ernie Kovacs was a pioneer in breaking down television's "fourth wall" and making the process of doing the show part of the joke. (And you thought David Letterman invented that.) Key to Kovacs's brand of intellectual slapstick was choosing the right music to accompany his unforgettable sight gags, and he turned to fellow freaks such as Ferrante & Teicher, space-age bachelor Esquivel!, and the Les Baxter Orchestra with Dr. Samuel Hoffman on theremin. The music stands up even when separated from the skits: Witness "Song of the Nairobi Trio," which accompanied a running gag featuring an orchestra composed of three guys in monkey suits beating each other on the head. (Trust me, it was funnier than it sounds.) --Jim Derogatis

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CD Reviews

The genius of Ernie Kovacs reflected by his musical tastes.
07/08/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)

"An outstanding collection that clearly illustrates how Ernie's eclectic musical taste contributed to his groundbreaking visual humor. A wild ride from Esquivel to Ferrante & Teicher to Yma Sumac to his signature Oriental Blues and Solfeggio. The liner notes are superb and give great insight into the particular selections. My only complaint is that it is not a multi-CD set. This music makes me remember his genius and mourn its loss. Even if you don't know Ernie Kovacs, the music will entertain you and make you smile."
A nice tribute to a tv pioneer
Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 09/22/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This disc will be a sheer delight to any fans of the late Ernie Kovacs pioneering TV comedy/variety show of the early 1950s. Music was always a passion of Kovacs' and an important element to his show, and this disc (yeah, okay, it's actually a collection...) features warped, oddball performances of pop, classical and novelty tunes by artists such as Yma Sumac, Ferrante & Teicher and Esquivel, as well as a croon or two by Kovacs himself. The real gem is Robert Maxwell's "Song Of The Nairobi Trio" (aka: "Solfeggio"), which was the theme to a recurrent -- and always hilarious sight gag involving three mechanical musical apes (one of whom was invariably played by a costumed Kovacs...) Just the sound of the song alone will bring a smile to anyone who's seen the skit before. In some ways this is just another kitschy set of '50s exotica; but for me the Kovacs mystique is enough to set this disc in a separate category. Recommended."
Good content, but not enough...
Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | 01/26/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fine CD to complement anyone's Kovacs, comedy or easy listening collection. Some Kovacs tunes, like "The Irving Wong Song" and "Hey, Taxi!" are not on this CD, and they are missed. I could have done without the second version of "Oriental Blues" if either of these songs had been included. B+ for effort and good package."