That's All Folks Cartoon.. [Compilation, Soundtrack]

 

 

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Unlike the "Carl Stalling Project" CDs, the tracks on this collection focus on songs that were sung in Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies cartoons. Some of it is really funny, of course, and some of it seems to be included more for straight nostalgic reasons. The songs performed by vocal groups of 6 to 8 decades ago are nice to hear, bring back memories of the cartoons, and give a real good impression of popular music styles of the time, with the highlight being Fred Waring's Glee Club performing "Dear Teacher" from KATNIP KOLLEGE. But it's the funny stuff that really shines here. Mel Blanc as Bugs Bunny doing the hilarious "Square Dancin'" calls from HILLBILLY HARE, Arthur Q. Bryan as Elmer Fudd singing "Oh Susanna" in THE WACKY WABBIT, and Sara Berner as a flea singing "Food Around The Corner" in AN ITCH IN TIME will make anyone laugh. I don't think it's possible not to laugh at some of this stuff. Of the complete soundtracks included, the highlight is BACK ALLEY OPROAR. I think it's so funny when Sylvester starts singing Brahm's "Lullaby" to Elmer Fudd and Elmer yells "Stop it!"
I really appreciate the book that's included because it tells you the history of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies, gives great information about the animation business in general during Hollywood's golden age, and introduces you to the producers, animators, musicians, singers and voice actors who made it all happen. My only complaint with the book is that where each song is listed in the back, the vocal is credited to the character rather than the performer. For instance, it says "Five O'Clock Whistle" is performed by Little Red Riding Hood. So one has to scan the pages of the essay about the voice actors and singers to find out that the role of Little Red Riding Hood is voiced by Bea Benaderet. But that's really a small complaint. By the way, it's Benaderet in LITTLE RED RIDING RABBIT who has the funniest line of this whole collection when she says "It's a little bunny rabbit I'm takin' to my Grandma...to have, see!"
My only complaint with the recording itself is that in the montage sections, sometimes a favorite sequence is cut too short for my liking. When Bugs Bunny makes his first delivery stop in EASTER YEGGS, I was hoping to hear the kid who says "...I want an Easter egg, I want an Easter egg, I want an Easter egg..." but it's not there.
It also should go without saying that it's great to have WHAT'S OPERA, DOC? complete and that fans of Stan Freberg and Shorty Rogers will revel in the inclusion of THREE LITTLE BOPS.
There are some complaints in other reviews here about the sound quality. Some tracks on the "Carl Stalling Project" discs sound a little cleaner, but they were able to go back to the original tapes in a lot of cases because they were just remastering the music. Here, you're getting the music and the voices. Overall, I think the sound quality is rather good for recordings of this age.
This is highly recommended to all fans of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies.

Daniel Goldmark said in an interview on the Rhino Records website that, "...people remember the characters singing rather then [carl stallings scores]". This is somewhat true, considering whenever a Looney Tune character sings, it's either revolving around a gag or ment to be funny, and that's why people remember them. But to me, a Looney Tunes enthusist, I'd much rather hear isolated Carl Stalling/Milt Franklin recordings for "Book Revue", "What's Opera, Doc?", and "Three Little Bops", which are all fantastic cartoons and feature superb music from Carl Stalling, Milt Franklin, and Shorty Rogers. This collection has a good choice of cartoons, but a terrible presintation. First off, the sound has NOT been re-mastered at all, and it sounds no better that if you taped it off of your TV. Sure it's easier to be able to select the cartoons with out fast-fowarding, but that doesn't make this album work. I think many fans would have welcomed a 3rd volume of the Carl Stalling Project over this volume any day.

This CD collection is a wonderful collection of the works of Carl Stalling and countless other performers and composers. This contains clips and complete soundtracks from dozens of cartoons from a variety of time periods. Other reviewers here have touched on flaws and noted that this is only for the serious Looney Tunes fans who visit those Looney Tunes websites. Well guess what, I'm one of those Looney Tunes fan guys (. . .)I love it personally, and I think this kind of collection is long overdue. True, it leaves off a few of the more popular titles, but what is included instead is far more valuable. Such highlights include the complete "Have You Got any Castles", a medley of tunes from such politically-incorrect masterpieces as "Tin Pan Alley Cats" and "Clean Pastures", and a bunch of memorable Bugs Bunny songs previously unreleased. The best thing about this CD is that it includes the voices, not just music, and actually has a wonderfully detailed essay explaining just who you're listening to, without erroniously crediting everyhting to Mel Blanc, who, while a genius himself, did not voice all of the memorable bits in these cartoons. True, many people may not have heard some of these, but folks, it's time to learn just how much classic stuff Warner Bros. has not shown you before. They should. This CD is hopefully a step in the right direction.
My only complaints would be the fact that not enough Harman-Ising era cartoons are included, and the songs are put together on long, themed tracks, rather than as individual tracks that are easily navigable. There is also a lot more they could have included, and I hope more volumes of this are planned, it would be a sin to stop here.
-Matthew

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2.0 out of 5 stars Catering only to experts depresses revenue for future discs!
The first reviewer is right that this is a disappointing collection. The booklet has great pictures, but really the main essay on Looney Tune history is boiled down from a preface... Read more

Published on Sep 14 2001 by John McWhorter

3.0 out of 5 stars That's All Folks! (But it's not enough!)
This is an decent enough sampling of some of the Warner Bros. cartoons' best musical moments. It even boasts packaging that is second to none! Read more

Published on Aug 25 2001 by Michelle S.

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