Digitally remastered edition. In 1951 Allan Sherman recorded a single with Sylvia Froos, a parody of 'A Bushel And a Peck' from Guys And Dolls. The single did little, but Allan enjoyed creating parodies and would often drop them into the proceedings when he was with friends or family. One such fan of the parodies was Harpo Marx, who regularly invited Allan round to his parties to entertain the guests. One such guest was George Burns, who was equally impressed and called Warner Brothers and persuaded them to sign Allan to a recording contract. The first such fruits were MY SON, THE FOLK SINGER, a nine track album (briefly released with ten tracks, until it was discovered one of the songs parodied was still in copyright) featuring well known songs such as 'Greensleeves' and 'Matilda' given a distinctive Jewish flavor when they became 'Sir Greenbaum's Madrigal' and 'My Zelda' respectively. The album proved a major success, topping the US album chart and becoming one the quickest selling albums of the time on it's way to a million plus sales.
E**E
Folk Singer, Celebrity, and Nut - the John Belushi of the 1960s
I grew up with Allan Sherman's silly songs and Bill Cosby's storytelling standup. Although I didn't have this album (Allan's first) until the 1980s, I had the later two and memorized the lyrics to many of the songs. "Folk Singer" was a sensation in its time and had the distinction of knocking Vaughn Meader's "First Family" off the top of the charts. Alas Meader's fortunes faded after JFK's assassination and Sherman's followed after. I'm reading a new bio, and it seems Mr. Sherman - who came across as a bit of a square in the 60s, appealing to parents more than kids - had more in common with John Belushi than some of the other squares of the era. The three "My Son" albums (Folk Singer, Celebrity, and Nut) are essential Sherman.
A**Z
What was lost can be found.
My family had the record album in the 60's and got a lot of laughs from it.
N**R
The first Allan Sherman Album
This CD replaces the vinyl album I purchased in 1962. (It still plays, with a few minor pops but my "better" receiver has no hook-up for a turntable...) Sherman is the best of the parodists; a one of a kind character who died too young. A fun way to hear a bit of Yiddish, too.
G**T
Excellent but incomplete
Allan Sherman's My Son the Folksinger deserves 5 stars, but this version rates only 4, because it's not complete! Due apparently to copyright problems, Seltzer Boy is not included! What is included is excellent, and the sound quality is very good. This was Allan Sherman's first album, and he's at his best here. To clarify, the cd of Folk Singer reviewed here is on the Hallmark label, selling on Amazon for $6.99 and under.
L**R
Down Memory Lane With A Belly Full Of Laughs
If you are a senior citizen then this album will certainly bring back some laughable memories. How can anyone not laugh at "Shake hands with your uncle Max my son" and all of the other melodies! It was worth the price and priceless as far as going down memory lane!They just don't record songs like this any longer!
C**K
Sherman's March
This, I believe, was Allan Sherman's first album. It's among the most unapologetically Yiddish of his output and one of his funniest. If it can make this goy laugh over fifty years after its original release, it must have done a lot of things right.
B**E
My Son the Folk Singer
As a kid in the 60's I grew up listening to this record. Although the record cover was different, the one with him standing on a pedestal with the girl in the background, the music is the same. For me this is a must have, the others I'm still trying to get a handle on.
K**R
MSTFS
The album is full of well thought out humor, with a strong feeling of when and by who it was made. The early 60's referances are impossible to miss, as well as the borscht belt humor.
D**R
A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT
I have always been happy with the CDs I have ordered from amazon UK... until now. There are two major problems with this album. First, it is in mono, not stereo, yet the same tracks which are on "My Son, the Greatest" compilation are in stereo, and "My Zelda" is available on Youtube in stereo. Second, "Seltzer Boy" is missing from the CD, although it is listed on Amazon's blurb as being on the CD. In addition, "The Ballad of Harry Lewis" is listed on the CD as "The Ballad of Henry Lewis". There are absolutely no liner notes to accompany this album. This is a sloppy production from Hallmark, who should be ashamed of themselves.
D**N
Poor
Interesting, but not one of his greatest offerings. I wanted it to share with a friend who is a great fan, but I won't bother him with it.
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