Favorite Songs From Jim Henson’s Muppets
Louise Gold
featured as one of the Muppet performers
Catalogue number: (Silver Eagle Records, 2 LP set) SE
1044, (Magic Video Publishing Company, LP, Volume 1): SE 1044-1,
(Magic Video Publishing Company, LP, Volume 2): SE 1044-2, (Magic Video
Publishing Company, Cassette, Volume 1) SM4 1044-1, (Magic Video Publishing Company, Cassette, Volume 2) SM4
1044-2 album produced in 1986
Cast
Jim Henson (as Kermit, Ernie, Rowlf, Mahna Mahna and other assorted characters)
Frank Oz (as:
Jerry
Richard Hunt (as various assorted characters)
Dave Goelz (as: Boober Fraggle, Gonzo, Beauregard, and other assorted characters)
Steve Whitmire (as: Wembley Fraggle, Rizzo The Rat, and other assorted characters)
Kathryn Mullen (as Mokey Fraggle, Gaffer the back-stage cat, A Nurse, and other assorted characters)
Caroll Spinney (as Big Bird and other assorted characters)
John Lovelady (as various characters)
Marilyn Sokol (as Ma Otter and other assorted characters)
Louise Gold (as Lou-the-Jugband Lady, Annie Sue Pig, A Nurse, and other assorted characters)
Greg Berg (as assorted Muppet Babies)
Katie Leigh (as Baby Rowlf)
Howie Mandel (as Baby Animal)
Laurie O’Brien (as assorted Muppet Babies)
Russi Taylor (as Baby Gonzo)
Frank Welker (as Baby Kermit, and, Baby Bunsen)
Barbara Billingsley (as The Muppet Babies Nanny)
Production Team
Produced by - Silver Eagle Records / Magic Video Publishing Company
Creative Director - Geni Sackson
Executive Producer - Jim Henson
Track Listing
Silver Eagle Records: SE 1044
Side 1
1. Muppet Show Theme - The Muppet Show
Season 1 cast (Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry
2. Mahna Mahna - - Mahna Mahna, and the Two Snowths (Jim Henson, Frank
Oz, and, Richard Hunt)
3. Movin’ Right Along - Kermit and Fozzie (Jim
Henson and Frank Oz)
4. The Rainbow Connection - Kermit (Jim Henson)
5. Mr Bassman - Scooter and Floyd (Richard Hunt and Jerry
6. Fraggle Rock Theme - - Gobo, Wembley, Boober, Mokey, and, Red Fraggle (Jerry
7. I’m Gonna Always Love You - The Muppet Babies from The Muppets Take Manhatten
(Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Richard Hunt and Dave Goelz)
Side 2
8. Muppet Babies Theme - The Muppet Babies (Greg Berg, Katie Leigh, Howie
Mandel, Laurie O’Brien, Russi Taylor, Frank Welker,
and, Barbara Billingsley)
9. Dream For Your Inspiration - The Muppet Babies (Greg Berg, Katie Leigh, Howie
Mandel, Laurie O’Brien, Russi Taylor, Frank Welker,
and, Barbara Billingsley)
10. When The River Meets The Sea - Ma and Emmet Otter (Marilyn
Sokol and Jerry
11. Bein’ Green - Kermit (Jim Henson)
12. Tit
13. Coconut
- A Nurse, Kermit, A Witch Doctor, and, another nurse (Louise Gold, Jim
Henson, Jerry Nelson, and, Kathryn Mullen)
14. Java
- Instrumental
15. The First Time It Happens - Kermit, Miss Piggy and Cast (Jim Henson and Frank
Oz, with: Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve
Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen)
Side 3
16. Rubber Duckie - Ernie (Jim Henson)
17. Workin
- Gobo, Wembley, Boober, Mokey, and, Red Fraggle (Jerry Nelson, Steve
Whitmire, Dave Goelz, Kathryn Mullen, and,
18. Happiness Hotel - Pops and Cast (Jerry Nelson with: Jim Henson,
Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire,
Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen (The Muppet Show Eight))
19. Good Things Happen In The Dark - The Muppet Babies (Greg
Berg, Katie Leigh, Howie Mandel, Laurie O’Brien, Russi
Taylor, Frank Welker, and, Barbara Billingsley)
20. Catch The Tail By The Tiger - Gobo, Wembley, Boober, Mokey, and, Red Fraggle (Jerry
Nelson, Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, Kathryn Mullen,
and
21. Grandma’s Feather Bed - (Jim Henson, with: Frank Oz, Dave
Goelz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Steve Whitmire)
22. My Way
- Gonzo (Dave Goelz)
Side 4
23. Halfway Down The Stairs - Robin (Jerry Nelson)
24. AB-C-DEF-GHI - Big Bird (Caroll Spinney)
25. C Is For Cookie - Cookie Monster (Frank Oz)
26. Cottleston Pie - Rowlf (Jim Henson)
27. It’s Up To You - The Muppet Babies (Greg
Berg, Katie Leigh, Howie Mandel, Laurie O’Brien, Russi
Taylor, Frank Welker, and, Barbara Billingsley)
28. Saying Goodbye - The Cast of The Muppets Take
Magic Video Publishing Company (LP):
SM 1044
Volume 1 (LP):
SM 1044-1
Side 1
1. Muppet Show Theme - The Muppet Show
Season 1 cast (Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard
Hunt, and, Dave Goelz (The Big Five))
2. Mahna Mahna - - Mahna Mahna, and the Two Snowths (Jim Henson, Frank
Oz, and, Richard Hunt)
3. Movin’ Right Along - Kermit and Fozzie (Jim
Henson and Frank Oz)
4. The Rainbow Connection - Kermit (Jim Henson)
5. Mr Bassman - Scooter and Floyd (Richard Hunt and Jerry Nelson)
6. Fraggle Rock Theme - - Gobo, Wembley, Boober, Mokey, and, Red Fraggle (Jerry
Nelson, Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, Kathryn Mullen,
and,
7. I’m Gonna Always Love You - The Muppet Babies from The Muppets Take Manhatten
(Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Richard Hunt and Dave Goelz)
Side 2
8. Halfway Down The Stairs - Robin (Jerry Nelson)
9. AB-C-DEF-GHI - Big Bird (Caroll Spinney)
10. C Is For Cookie - Cookie Monster (Frank Oz)
11. Cottleston Pie - Rowlf (Jim Henson)
12. It’s Up To You - The Muppet Babies (Greg
Berg, Katie Leigh, Howie Mandel, Laurie O’Brien, Russi
Taylor, Frank Welker, and, Barbara Billingsley)
13. Saying Goodbye - The Cast of The Muppets Take
Volume 2 (LP):
SM 1044-2
Side 1
1. Rubber Duckie - Ernie (Jim Henson)
2. Workin
- Gobo, Wembley, Boober, Mokey, and, Red Fraggle (Jerry Nelson, Steve
Whitmire, Dave Goelz, Kathryn Mullen, and,
3. Happiness Hotel - Pops and Cast (Jerry Nelson with: Jim Henson,
Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire,
Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen (The Muppet Show Eight))
4. Good Things Happen In The Dark - The Muppet Babies (Greg
Berg, Katie Leigh, Howie Mandel, Laurie O’Brien, Russi
Taylor, Frank Welker, and, Barbara Billingsley)
5. Catch The Tail By The Tiger - Gobo, Wembley, Boober, Mokey, and, Red Fraggle (Jerry
Nelson, Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, Kathryn Mullen,
and
6. Grandma’s Feather Bed - (Jim Henson, with: Frank Oz, Dave
Goelz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Steve Whitmire)
7. My Way
- Gonzo (Dave Goelz)
Side 2
8. Muppet Babies Theme - The Muppet Babies (Greg Berg, Katie Leigh, Howie
Mandel, Laurie O’Brien, Russi Taylor, Frank Welker,
and, Barbara Billingsley)
9. Dream For Your Inspiration - The Muppet Babies (Greg Berg, Katie Leigh, Howie
Mandel, Laurie O’Brien, Russi Taylor, Frank Welker,
and, Barbara Billingsley)
10. When The River Meets The Sea - Ma and Emmet Otter (Marilyn
Sokol and Jerry Nelson)
11. Bein’ Green - Kermit (Jim Henson)
12. Tit
13. Coconut
- A Nurse, Kermit, A Witch Doctor, and, another nurse (Louise Gold, Jim
Henson, Jerry Nelson, and, Kathryn Mullen)
14. Java
- Instrumental
15. The First Time It Happens - Kermit, Miss Piggy and Cast (Jim Henson and Frank
Oz, with: Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve
Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen)
Magic Video Publishing Company
(Cassette): SM4 1044
Volume 1 ?
(Cassette) SM4 1044 1
Side 1
1. Muppet Show Theme - The Muppet Show
Season 1 cast (Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard
Hunt, and, Dave Goelz (The Big Five))
2. Movin’ Right Along - Kermit and Fozzie (Jim
Henson and Frank Oz)
3. The Rainbow Connection - Kermit (Jim Henson)
4. Mr Bassman - Scooter and Floyd (Richard Hunt and Jerry Nelson)
5. Fraggle Rock Theme - - Gobo, Wembley, Boober, Mokey, and, Red Fraggle (Jerry
Nelson, Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, Kathryn Mullen,
and,
6. I’m Gonna Always Love You - The Muppet Babies from The Muppets Take Manhatten
(Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Richard Hunt and Dave Goelz)
Side 2
7. Mahna Mahna - - Mahna Mahna, and the Two Snowths (Jim Henson, Frank
Oz, and, Richard Hunt)
8. Halfway Down The Stairs - Robin (Jerry Nelson)
9. AB-C-DEF-GHI - Big Bird (Caroll Spinney)
10. C Is For Cookie - Cookie Monster (Frank Oz)
11. Cottleston Pie - Rowlf (Jim Henson)
12. It’s Up To You - The Muppet Babies (Greg
Berg, Katie Leigh, Howie Mandel, Laurie O’Brien, Russi
Taylor, Frank Welker, and, Barbara Billingsley)
13. Saying Goodbye - The Cast of The Muppets Take
Volume 2 ?(Cassette) SM4 1044 2
Side 1
1. Rubber Duckie - Ernie (Jim Henson)
2. Workin
- Gobo, Wembley, Boober, Mokey, and, Red Fraggle (Jerry Nelson, Steve
Whitmire, Dave Goelz, Kathryn Mullen, and,
3. Happiness Hotel - Pops and Cast (Jerry Nelson with: Jim Henson,
Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire,
Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen (The Muppet Show Eight))
4. Good Things Happen In The Dark - The Muppet Babies (Greg
Berg, Katie Leigh, Howie Mandel, Laurie O’Brien, Russi
Taylor, Frank Welker, and, Barbara Billingsley)
5. Catch The Tail By The Tiger - Gobo, Wembley, Boober, Mokey, and, Red Fraggle (Jerry
Nelson, Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, Kathryn Mullen,
and
6. Grandma’s Feather Bed - (Jim Henson, with: Frank Oz, Dave
Goelz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Steve Whitmire)
7. My Way
- Gonzo (Dave Goelz)
Side 2
8. Muppet Babies Theme - The Muppet Babies (Greg Berg, Katie Leigh, Howie
Mandel, Laurie O’Brien, Russi Taylor, Frank Welker,
and, Barbara Billingsley)
9. Dream For Your Inspiration - The Muppet Babies (Greg Berg, Katie Leigh, Howie
Mandel, Laurie O’Brien, Russi Taylor, Frank Welker,
and, Barbara Billingsley)
10. When The River Meets The Sea - Ma and Emmet Otter (Marilyn
Sokol and Jerry Nelson)
11. Bein’ Green - Kermit (Jim Henson)
12. Tit
13. Coconut
- A Nurse, Kermit, A Witch Doctor, and, another nurse (Louise Gold, Jim
Henson, Jerry Nelson, and, Kathryn Mullen)
14. Java
- Instrumental
15. The First Time It Happens - Kermit, Miss Piggy and Cast (Jim Henson and Frank
Oz, with: Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve
Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen)
Jim Henson, Frank Oz,
Jim Henson, Frank Oz,
Jim Henson, Frank Oz,
Jim Henson, Frank Oz,
Jim Henson, Frank Oz,
Jim Henson, Frank Oz,
Jim Henson, Frank Oz,
Jim Henson, Frank Oz,
Jim Henson, Frank Oz,
Jim Henson, Frank Oz,
Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire,
Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen puppeteered on The Dark Crystal, for which
Dave Goelz, Jim Henson, Kathryn Mullen, Frank
Oz, Steve Whitmire, and,
Louise Gold, Dave Goelz,
Frank Oz,
Jim Henson, Frank Oz,
Jim Henson,
Frank Oz,
Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, and, Louise Gold went on to puppeteer on The Animal Show, on which Frank Oz did a guest puppeteering appearance.
Louise Gold, Jim Henson, Richard Hunt,
Louise Gold, and, Frank Welker worked on Spitting Image.
Dave Goelz,
Louise Gold, Richard Hunt, Kathy Mullen,
Dave Goelz, Louise Gold,
Louise Gold, Richard Hunt, and,
Frank Oz,
Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Richard Hunt,
Jim Henson, Frank Oz,
Steve Whitmire probably puppeteered on ITV’s
50 Greatest Shows.
Review
by Emma Shane
If, like me, you enjoy Muppet songs, then it is almost imperative, to admire the talents of Jerry Nelson, one of the most outstanding Muppet singers. One of the highlights of this album is his famous performance of Halfway Down The Stairs. But it is not just as a soloist that Jerry Nelson is outstanding, this album like so many Muppet albums, is one where he of course stands out, as both a member of: The Muppet Show Eight (along with Richard Hunt and Louise Gold), and, The Fraggle Five. Happiness Hotel, for example, although involving all of The Eight, is led by Jerry Nelson, in the character of Pops the doorman. It is a wonderfully silly number, and to my mind one of Joe Raposo’s best. Another Joe Raposo number featured on this album, also from The Great Muppet Caper, is the award winning The First Time It Happens, this is a nice song, sung by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, with strong support from the other six members of The Eight, especially the wonderfully strong-voiced Louise Gold. Another great number from a muppet film is Movin’ Right Along from The Muppet Movie, which is sung with a lot of enthusiasm by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, with some support from the other American members of the team.
The delightful British Muppeteer, Louise Gold, gets her real chance to shine on Coconut; where, performing a nurse, she sings the initial narrative in a voice that is about as close to her own as any of her muppet characters ever get. The other players in the number is Jim Henson as Kermit, taking the songs central character, followed by Jerry Nelson as a Witch Doctor, finally there is some back-up from Kathryn Mullen as another nurse.
Another number I really enjoyed hearing is Catch The Tail By The Tiger. This is very ablely sung by The Fraggle Five, especially Jerry Nelson, but the best thing about it is its wonderful lyrics, that transpose a number of clichés, to produce such lines as “Catch the tail by the tiger” and “Take the horns by the bull”.
Perhaps two of the greatest numbers on the album though, and certainly the most influential, are Bein’ Green and Rainbow Connection, both sung by the gentleman for whom they were written, Jim Henson. Although Bein’ Green has been sung and indeed recorded by various artistes, including Frank Sinatra. On this album it is sung by the man who, I think does it best, the Muppet Master himself, Jim Henson. I do not think there is anyone, except perhaps Steve Whitmire, who could give this song as much sincerity and feeling as Jim Henson gives it. Joe Raposo wrote this song for him to perform, and although the song has been sung by other people, in the end it is one of those songs (like those glorious musical-comedy numbers Cole Porter et al wrote for Ethel Merman) that works best when sung by the person for whom it was written, or else a singer who has the gift of being stylistically the closest thing to that person. Rainbow Connection, by Paul Williams and Kenny Ascher, has not been done quite so much, but it too is one of those very special songs that will only really work best sung by people who belong to that very special group for whom it was intended, The Muppets (in fact the only other version that springs to my mind was when a West End actress used it in her cabaret act, and fortunately that particular ‘actress’, Louise Gold, also happens to be one of that special group of people to whom this beautiful song truly belongs).
Overall the album has some good songs on it, which are worth having if you don’t have any other recording of them. But many of the best numbers on this album can also be found on various other Muppet albums. Unfortunately sometimes on the Magic Video issue of the album, the two volumes of the album have been split up, so sometimes you will find only Volume 1 and not Volume 2 or vice versa. Of the two I think Volume 2 is the best, largely because most of the contributions from The Muppet Show on Volume 1 (including The Muppet Show Theme) come from the First Muppet Show album, before The Muppet Show team had got anywhere near their full musical potential (and before the addition of the last three members of The Eight, one of whom, Louise Gold, after all, made some very notable contributions to a lot of their musical numbers, but doesn’t feature on Volume 1 at all!). I for one definitely prefer the Silver Eagle Records version of the album, for one thing both LP’s are in a single sleeve, and therefore less likely to be split up, and secondly, the tracks have been arranged slightly differently, in such a way that the best stuff is a little more evenly spread throughout the album.
Critics Comments
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Links about Favorite Songs From Jim Henson’s Muppets
Muppet Wiki page for this album: http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Favorite_Songs_From_Jim_Henson%27s_Muppets