- George Agoglia -- (1977)

- Jackson Beck -- vocals
- Frani Bell -- vocals

- Richard Belzer -- vocals (1977)
- John Belushi (RIP) -- vocals

- Pat Bright -- vocals (1977)
- Chevy Chase -- vocals

- Rhoda Coulet -- vocals (1977)

- Sid Davis -- vocals (1977)

- John Dunn -- vocals (1977)

- Bob Dryden -- vocals (1977)
- Tony Hendra -- vocals
- Christopher Guest -- vocals
- John Lopresti -- vocals
- Melissa Manchester -- vocals

- Brian Doyle-Murray -- vocals (1977)

- Bill Murray -- vocals (1977)

- Larrain Newman -- vocals (1977)
- Michael O'Donighue -- vocals
- Jim Payne -- vocals

- Gilda Radner (RIP) -- vocals 
- Diane Reed -- vocals
- Norman Rose -- vocals
- Jerry Taylor -- vocals

- Anna Upstrom -- vocals (1977)

- John Weidman -- vocals (1977)

- Gracie Whitehead -- vocals (1977)

- Bob Tischler - vocals

- The Blues Brothers (John Belushi)
- Chevy Chase (solo efforts)
- Melissa Manchester (solo efforts)
- The Not Ready for Prime Time Players

- Gilda Radner (solo efforts)

Genre: comedy

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  Radio Dinner

Company: Blue Thumb

Catalog: BTS-38

Year: 1972

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: 4717

Price: $12.00

With the release of 1972's "Radio Dinner" Michael O'Donoghue and Tony Hendra can take credit for writing and producing what may be the funniest comedy album of the early and mid-1970s.  (Admittedly, the results wouldn't have been anywhere near as good without performers such as Christopher Guest and Melissa Manchester.)  Even though the album's some thirty years old, the majority of material is still hysterical.  Highlights include the opener 'Deteriorata' which effortlessly crushes Les Crane's flaccid and nauseating 'Desiderata'.  'It's Obvious' does more for Caribbean tourism than a motel full of travel agents.  You'll never watch a game show without laughing after hearing 'Catch It and You Keep It.'  'Those Fantastic Sixties' - Dylan doing a commercial for a greatest hits ...  Perhaps the best track here is 'Magical Misery Tour'.  Based on John Lennon's interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Hendra turns in a performance that is uncannily close to the real man, while leaving tears in your eyes. Lennon isn't the only Fab Four to get ripped.   McCartney fans will take note of Clues #2, #3, #4 and #5. Apparent digs at McCartney's recently banned single, these unlisted segments feature an Irish tenor starting to sing 'Give Ireland Back To the Irish" only to be cut short by a gun shot. In case there's any doubt, the inner sleeve includes a picture frame with 'Clue Number Six R.I.P. P.Mc.')  Harrison gets his on side two 'Concert In Bangla Desh'.

"Radio Dinner" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Deteriorata   (Michael O'Donoghue - Tony Hendra) 

2.) Phono Phunnies   (Michael O'Donoghue - Tony Hendra)  

3.) Tennyrap   (Michael O'Donoghue - Tony Hendra - Christopher Guest)  

4.) It's Obvious   (Michael O'Donoghue - Tony Hendra)  

5.) Clue Number Five

6.) Catch It and You Keep It   (Michael O'Donoghue - Tony Hendra)  

7.) Pigeons   (Michael O'Donoghue - Tony Hendra) 

8.) 'Quinas 'n' Rasmus   (Michael O'Donoghue - Tony Hendra) 

9.) All Kidding Aside   (Michael O'Donoghue - Tony Hendra) 

10.) Magical Misery Tour (Bootleg Records)   (Michael O'Donoghue - Tony Hendra) 

(side 2)

1.) Those Fantastic Sixties   (Michael O'Donoghue - Tony Hendra) 

2.) Profiles In Chrome   (Michael O'Donoghue - Tony Hendra) 

3.) Support Your Local Polece   (Michael O'Donoghue - Tony Hendra) 

4.) Pull the Tregris (Bootleg Tape)   (Michael O'Donoghue - Tony Hendra) 

5.) Head Bands   (Michael O'Donoghue - Tony Hendra) 

6.) Concert In Bangla Desh   (Michael O'Donoghue - Tony Hendra) 

7.) The Voice of the Future   (Michael O'Donoghue - Tony Hendra) 

Genre: comedy

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  Missing White House Tapes

Company: Blue Thumb

Catalog: BTS-6008

Year: 1974

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: cut corner; slight warp, but doesn't impact play

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: 4718

Price: $12.00

In contrast to earlier efforts, 1974's "Missing White House Tapes" suffered from the group's narrow choice of topical material. That's not to say the Nixon administration didn't provide lots of opportunity for ridicule; rather extended excerpts from Nixon's tape archives, speeches, interviews, Congressional hearings and other sources simply weren't very funny, even when heavily (and rather clumsily) edited. Add to that the fact this stuff hasn't aged well and it's one of their duller exploits. At least the flip side featured a couple of mildly entertaining bits ("Introduction and Impeachment Parade", "Plumber Commercial" and "Mission: Impeachable"). That and the LP cover was kinda cool.  Inexplicably one of their better sellers, the album hit # 118. The collection also marked their finally outing for Blue Thumb.

"Missing White House Tapes" track listing:
1.) Checkers - 1:07
2.) Calendar - 0:54
3.) Oval Office - 4:35
4.) President's Qualities - 0:25
5.) The New VP - 0:47
6.) Inspiration - 1:24
7.) Energy Crises - 0:25
8.) Hearings - 4:64 (?)
9.) Send Money - 0:19
10.) Admission Speech - 1:56
11.) Wrap Up - 0:10
12.) Introduction and Impeachment Parade - 1:37
12.) Pennsylvania Avenue - 3:00
13.) News - 0:21
14.) Plumber Commercial - 1:15
15.) Impeachment Parade Continued - 1:38
16.) The Constitution Game - 3:12
17.) News - 0:26
18.) Senate Hearings - 3:07
19.) Impeachment Parade Continued - 2:09
20.) Tooth Commercial - 1:02
21.) Mission: Impeachable - 1:26
22.) News - 0:16
23.) The FBI - 1:25
24.) Impeachment: Swearing Out - 1:23
25.) The Gerry Ford Show - 0:47

Genre: comedy

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  Gold Turkey Radio Hour/Greatest HIts

Company: Epic

Catalog: PE-33410

Year: 1975

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG-

Comments: warp, but doesn't impact play

Available: SOLD

GEMM Catalog ID: SOLD

Price: SOLD

After three albums for Blue Thumb, the group switched to Epic, releasing 1975's "Gold Turkey Radio Hour/Greatest Hits". In terms of talent, this line up marked the group's creative zenith - John Belushi, Richard Belzer, Chevy Chase, Christopher Guest, Bill Murray, Brian Doyle-Murray, Gilda Radner, Harold Ramis, etc. all contributing material. That said, the results were surprisingly hit or miss. Much of the topical humor simply hasn't aged particularly well over the ensuing years, while other bits ("Well Intentioned Blues", the seemingly endless "A Laugh from the Past" and "Stand Up") probably weren't even funny in 1975. While everyone has a different idea of what's funny, to our ears "Public Disservice", "Terminal Football", "Hockey" and "Prison Farmer" were among the isolated highlights. A minor seller, the LP peaked at # 206.

"Gold Turkey Radio Hour/Greatest HIts" track listing:
1.) Front Row Center (Sean Kelly - Bill Murray) - 
2.) Public Disservice (Brian McConnachie) - 
3.) Alternative Child (John Belushi - Brian Doyle-Murray) - 
4.) We'll Be Back (Brian McConnachie) - 
5.) Mother Goose's Wine (Christopher Guest - Anne Beatts) - 
6.) My Husband (Brian McConnachie) - 
7.) Megaphone Newsreel (Bruce McCall) - 
8.) The Trial (John Belushi - Brian Doyle-Murray) - 
9.) Terminal Football (Harold Ramis) - 
10.) Flash Bazbo (Doug Kennedy - Christopher Guest) - 
11.) Jimmy Dugan Story (John Belushi - Brian Doyle-Murray) - 
12.) Well Intentioned Blues (Bob Tischler - Christopher Guest) - 
13.) A Laugh from the Past (Disney Davis) - 
14.) Stand Up (Brian Doyle-Murray) - 
15.) Flash Bazbo (Doug Kennedy - Christopher Guest) - 
16.) Hockey (John Belushi - Brian Doyle-Murray) - 
17.) Prison Farm (John Belushi - Brian Doyle-Murray - Joseph D'Flaherty - Gilda Radner - Harold Ramis - Henry Beard - Christopher Cerf) -
18.) Mr. Veal Chop (Harold Ramis) - 
19.) Rosenburgs (John Belushi - Brian Doyle-Murray) - 
20.) The Immigrants (John Belushi - Brian Doyle-Murray - Joseph D'Flaherty - Gilda Radner - Harold Ramis) - 

Genre: comedy

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  That's Not Funny, That's Sick

Company: Label 21

Catalog: IMP 2001

Year: 1977

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: --

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: 5482

Price: 20.00

As most folks will be able to deduce from the cover art and LP title, 1977's "That's Not Funny, That's Sick" isn't going to win over anyone with a sensitive disposition.  Not that National Lampoon was ever known for being particularly sensitive, but on this one they threw away what little internal censorship they might have employed (in fact when reissued in CD format in 2004 the package carried a parental warning label).  Ignoring their earlier penchant for politically oriented comedy, this time out the focus was on more mundane topics ranging from free form college radio, confession, and big oil greed with a special focus on potty mouth deliveries.  With Bill Murray and brother Brian Dole-Murray running amok through the proceedings, most of the LP was actually pretty funny in a pimply sophomore guy kind of way.  Of the 27 sketches (most about a moment in length), highlights included 'Gymnasty' (with a nod to Nadia Commaneci and out of the blue ending), Christopher Guest's skewering of Mr. Rogers interviewing a rock musician ('Mr. Roberts # 1' and 'Mr. Roberts # 2'), a hysterical X-rated disco song ('Height Report Disco'), and ...

"That's Not Funny, That's Sick" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) The Square Show - 0:15

2.) Confession - 1:02

3.) Dick Ballentine Phone-In Show # 1 - 2:01

4.) Disco Hotline - 0:24

5.) Dick Ballentine Phone-In Show # 2 - 0:53

6.) LoveBirds / Flashanova - 1:37

7.) Listener Sponsored Radio # 1 - 1:06

8.) For $25,000 - 0:48

9.) Gymnasty - 1:07

10.) Dick Ballentine Phone-In Show # 3 - 1:16

11.) Yiddishco - 0:26

12.) Listener Sponsored Radio # 2 - 1:08

13.) Pulp - 1:10

14.) For $15,000 - 0:21

15.) Rapeline - 0:17

16.) Mr. Roberts # 1 - 3:28

(side 2)

1.) Stereos and Such - 0:42

2.) Listener Sponsored Radio # 3 - 0:25

3.) Height Report Disco - 3:42

4.) Mr. Roberts # 2 - 2:43

5.) Dial a Curse - 1:45

6.) Humpback Whales - 1:23

7.) Listener Sponsored Radio # 4 - 0:30

8.) 2,015 Year Old Man - 0:56

9.) Fasten Your Seatbelts - 3:30

10.) Listener Sponsored Radio # 5 - 0:16

11.) Monolithic Oil - 1:42

Funny story - In 2004 when the Uproar Entertainment label reissued the LP in CD format they apparently did one of those cheapy 'needle drop' jobs - literally recording the material off of an old LP (complete with hiss and tics), rather than trying to track down the original master tapes.