Muppet Show Music Album

Louise Gold starred as one of The Muppet Performers

Catalogue number: (LP) PYE Records SPLP 1580, (Cassette) PYE Records 4SPLP 1580, (LP with Spanish Sleeve notes) PYE 6014, album produced in 1979

Players

Jim Henson (as: Kermit The Frog, Rowlf, Link Hogthrob, Waldorf, Dr Teeth, and other assorted characters)

Frank Oz (as: Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, and other assorted characters)

Jerry Nelson (as: Floyd, Robin, Geri, Cowboy Jerry, and other assorted characters)

Richard Hunt (as: Scooter, Stadler, Janice, Wayne, and other assorted characters)

Dave Goelz (as: Zoot, Gonzo, and other assorted characters)

Louise Gold (as: Annie Sue Pig, Lou-The-Jugband-Lady, and other assorted characters)

Steve Whitmire (as various assorted characters)

Kathryn Mullen (as various assorted characters)

Production Team

 Producer - Jim Henson

Directors - Peter Harris and Philip Casson

Musical Associate - Derek Scott

Orchestra conducted by - Jack Parnell

Writers - Jerry Juhl, David Odell, Don Hinkley, Jim Henson, and, Chris Langham

Musical Consultants - Larry Grossman, and, Ray Charles

Audio - Roger Knight, and, Ted Scott

Executive Producer - David Lazer

Track Listing

Side 1

1. The Muppet Show Theme - The Cast (The Players)

2. Hawaiian War Chant - The Pigs (Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and possibly Richard Hunt and, Kathy Mullen)

3. The Rhyming Song - Fozzie Bear, Scooter, Annie Sue, and, Link (Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, Louise Gold, and, Jim Henson)

4. Blue Skies - The Prairie Dogs (Jerry Nelson, Steve Whitmire, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Kathy Mullen, Louise Gold and, Jim Henson, for more information see below)

5. Eight Little Notes - Rowlf (Jim Henson)

6. Do Wah Diddy Diddy - Geri and the Atrics (Jerry Nelson with: Frank Oz, Dave Goelz and possibly: Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen and Steve Whitmire - Muppet fans have had some debate over just who is on this track, see below)

7. Jamboree - Gonzo (Dave Goelz)

8. Henrietta’s Wedding - Cowboy Jerry and Lou-The-Jugband-Lady (Jerry Nelson and Louise Gold)

9. Jam - Dr Teeth and Electric Mayhem featuring Animal (Frank Oz)

10. Magic Garden - Kermit (Jim Henson)

Side 2

11. Macho Macho Man - Link and the Pigs, Gonzo and the Chickens (Jim Henson and Dave Goelz, with Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt etc)

12. Mad About The Frog - Miss Piggy (Frank Oz)

13. Pennsylvania 6-5000 - Bobby Benson’s Baby Band (Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Richard Hunt, Jerry Nelson, and, possibly Dave Goelz and Steve Whitmire)

14. Coconut - Kermit, 2 nurses, and a witch doctor (Jim Henson, Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, and, Jerry Nelson)

15. Frog Kissing - Robin and some frogs (Jerry Nelson, with the Players)

16. Dog Walk - Wayne (Richard Hunt)

17. While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Floyd (Jerry Nelson)

18. Sixty Seconds Got Together - The Gills Brothers (Jim Henson, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Steve Whitmire)

19. It Was A Very Good Year - Statler and Waldorf (Richard Hunt, and, Jim Henson)

20. The Muppet Show Closing Theme - instrumental

The identification of the various players above may not be entirely accurate, it was pieced together by various Muppet fans. However, it is probably a little more accurate than that album’s own sleeve notes (which contained some almost certain inaccuracies, not to mention a few character and performer names mis-typed)

On Track 4, Blue Skies, it is thought that, the performers in order of appearance are: Jerry Nelson, Steve Whitmire, Richard Hunt, Louise Gold, and, Dave Goelz. However, Jim Henson also appears on it very briefly singing the line “Nothing But”, and Jim Henson just sings “Blue”. One of Steve Whitmire’s lines is “Shining sp bright”. It is notable that both Kathryn Mullen and Louise Gold are singing in New York accents. In Kathy’s case it is more or less her natural accent, in Louise Gold’s case it is her interpretation of a brassy ‘Long Island’ voice, which she would later put to extremely effective use in a variety of musicals, and on Sesame Street as Miss Ethel Mermaid.

On Track 6 Do Wah Diddy Diddy it is particularly difficult to identify the various performers. Obviously the lead singer was Jerry Nelson. It is also thought that Frank Oz and Dave Goelz can identified on it. It is thought that the others are most likely to be drawn from: Jim Henson, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold and Kathryn Mullen. Apparently Richard Hunt only did Geri and The Atrics once (on the Hal Linden episode). If Jim Henson performed in Geri And The Atrics he does not appear to have done much in the way of solo lines. Although Kathryn Mullen is usually thought to have sung on the Geri And The Atrics numbers, there is an unconfirmed rumour that on Do Wah Diddy Diddy Olive Oyl may have deputised for her (but that is unconfirmed rumour). A consensus of guesses among Muppet-Buffs is that of the various characters in Geri And The Atrics: Geri Teh Cello Player was Jerry Nelson, The Pianist was Frank Oz, The Drummer was Dave Goelz, The Blue-grey knitting lady was Kathy Mullen, The Guitarist was Louise Gold, and the tuba player was Steve Whitmire - but these could be wild guesses.

All eight performers featured on this album worked on The Muppet Show, indeed they were the eight main puppeteers on that programme; on which all of the production team also worked.

All eight performers featured on this album all puppeteered on The Great Muppet Caper (on which David Lazer, and, Jerry Juhl also worked). The Eight also all feature (though not always all credited) on the albums: The Great Muppet Caper (Soundtrack album), and, Favorite Songs From Jim Henson’s Muppets (on which the track The Lime In The Coconut can also be found), and, Music Mayhem And More

The Muppet Show Eight, also feature on John Denver & The Muppets A Christmas Together, which Ray Charles was also involved with. Tracks from that album can be found on John Denver & The Muppets Merry Christmas 45RPM, Christmas For Kids, and, John Denver Christmas.

The Muppet Show Eight, under the direction of Peter Harris and the musical direction of Jack Parnell also feature on Muppet Hits 1 (on which the tracks: The Rhyming Song, and, The Lime In The Coconut can also be found, along with a different version of The Muppet Show Theme), and, Muppet Hits 2 (on which the tracks: Hawaiian War Chant, Jamboree, Jam, Macho Macho Man, Pennsylvania 6-5000, and, Dog Walk can also be found, along with a different version of The Muppet Show Theme).

The Muppet Show Eight also feature on Muppet Music Mix (on which the track The Rhyming Song can also be found, along with a different version of The Muppet Show Theme), Put Some Zing In Your Spring (on which the track The Rhyming Song can also be found), and, Muppet Music Sampler (on which part of the track The Rhyming Song can also be found).

The Muppet Show Eight also puppeteered on The Muppets Go To The Movies, on which Peter Harris, David Lazer, Jerry Juhl, and, Chris Langham also worked.

The Muppet Show Eight, along with Jerry Juhl, David Lazer, Peter Harris, Don Hinkley, Chris Langham, and, David Odell all featured in the documentary Of Muppets And Men.

The first six members of the Eight: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, and, Louise Gold, produced by Derek Scott, with writing by Jerry Juhl, Don Hinkey, under the direction of Peter Harris and Philip Casson and the musical direction of Jack Parnell, with musical consultation by Larry Grossman, and, audio by Roger Knight and Ted Scott, starred the previous year on: The Muppet Show 2, a different version of The Muppet Show Theme also features on the album. Two numbers from that album were released as a single For What It’s Worth.

The first six members of the Eight: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, and, Louise Gold, under the direction of Philip Casson and Peter Harris and musical direction of Jack Parnell also appeared on The Muppet Show Music Hall, for which Derek Scott was also musical associate and Ted Scott and Roger Knight were also involved with.

The first six members of the Eight: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, and, Louise Gold represented The Muppets on The Royal Variety Performance (1977)

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz and Louise Gold, under the musical direction of Jack Parnell also feature on Jim Henson Presents Silly Songs, on which the tracks: The Rhyming Song, Dog Walk can also be found, along with part of a version of The Muppet Show Theme - which might come from this album).

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen puppeteered on The Dark Crystal, for which Jerry Nelson did some voice-work; and on which David Odell and David Lazer also worked.

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, and, Kathy Mullen also puppeteered on Labyrinth.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, and, Louise Gold puppeteered on The Muppet Christmas Carol, on which Jerry Juhl, and, David Lazer also worked.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Kathryn Mullen, and Louise Gold went on to puppeteer together on Sesame Street (in the early 1990s).

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, and, Louise Gold also feature on The Muppet Christmas Carol (Soundtrack album).

Louise Gold, Richard Hunt, Jerry Nelson, and Frank Oz later sang on Born To Add

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Louise Gold later sang on Elmo’s Lowdown Hoedown.

Louise Gold and Chris Langham later appeared in The Pirates Of Penzance (Stage Production) , The Pirates Of Penzance (Gala Performance), The Pirates Of Penzance (Gala Preview), The Pirates Of Penzance (Benefit Preview), and the Royal Variety Performance (1982). They also both went on to work on Spitting Image.

Philip Casson and Louise Gold later contributed to the Spitting Image Pilot, and, along with Peter Harris worked on Spitting Image itself and the album Spit In Your Ear

Philip Casson also went on to direct Louise Gold in her actress’ guise in an episode of Casualty.

Jim Henson, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen and Chris Langham appeared in The All Time Get Around Sometimes Play Together Every Other Friday Night Vaudeville Show.

Jerry Nelson and Louise Gold with an introduction by Jim Henson can also be heard on Jerome Kern The First 100 Years (although they are credited simply as ‘The Muppets’, rather than as individuals).

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, and, Louise Gold went on to puppeteer on the film Muppet Treasure Island, on which Jerry Juhl also worked.

Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, and, Louise Gold went on to puppeteer on The Animal Show, on which Frank Oz made a guest-puppeteering appearance, and Peter Harris was also involved with.

Louise Gold, Jim Henson, Richard Hunt, and, Steve Whitmire went on to puppeteer on Tale Of The Bunny Picnic.

Jerry Nelson, and, Dave Goelz (besides puppeteering on Fraggle Rock itself) went on to do voice-work on the UK Co-Production of Fraggle Rock, on which Louise Gold puppeteered.

Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Richard Hunt, Kathy Mullen, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, Steve Whitmire, and, Jerry Juhl went on to take part in Jim Henson’s Memorial Service.

Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, and, Steve Whitmire’s recording credits include A Green And Red Christmas.

Louise Gold, and, Richard Hunt went on to puppeteer on The Ghost Of Faffner Hall.

Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, and, Louise Gold went on to puppeteer on The Secret Life Of Toys.

Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Louise Gold’s recording credits include The Count’s Countdown, however there has been some debate as to whether Louise Gold actually sang on it.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, Peter Harris, and, Chris Langham took part in the documentary I Love The Muppets.

Steve Whitmire probably puppeteered on ITV’s 50 Greatest Shows.

Review

by Emma Shane

This is almost certainly one of the best albums relating to The Muppet Show, but it is notoriously difficult to obtain. This is a great shame because it includes some wonderful numbers that have not, so far, been included on any other Muppet albums (although they were of course done on The Muppet Show itself). Of the original Muppet Show albums it is the only one to feature only and all of The Muppet Show Eight (the show’s eight main puppeteers).

Given just how adept some members of the eight are at doing voices it can be extremely hard to work out just which of them is singing on some of the ensemble songs (in some instances even the biggest fans have difficulty in picking out their favourite performers). However those numbers: Hawaiian War Chant, Do Wah Diddy Diddy, and Macho Macho Man, are still funny, work well, and most collectively Muppet.

On many of the tracks, however, individual performers most certainly shine. For example Sixty Seconds Got Together features the collective talents of Jim Henson, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Steve Whitmire more than adequately. Louise Gold’s glorious voice lends tone to Pennsylvania 6-5000, really making that number, although as performed by the muppets it is also a very amusing number. The Rhyming Song is one of the funniest numbers on the album, and involves half of the eight. Jim Henson sings alright as Link, but it is really the other three who shine Frank Oz is in his element as Fozzie getting everything hopelessly wrong, Richard Hunt is also in his element as Scooter trying to make the best of the situation. But the best thing about the number is Louise Gold’s sweet talented show-saving Annie Sue. Apart from singing a completely ridiculous lyric very well, she gets the last word with a nice optimistic and very Annie Sue touch “Well it wasn’t that bad”. Gold is also on shining form with The Lime In The Coconut, for once doing something approaching her natural London accent! This number also features some backup from Kathy Mullen, an excellent cameo from Jerry Nelson, and a good performance from Jim Henson, who’s Kermit is supposed to be leading the number, although Louise Gold’s nurse almost steals it, which is pretty typical of Louise Gold, and in such a context as The Muppet Show does not matter one little bit, (well actually I don’t think it matters anyway).

Many of the muppeteers also shine as individual talents, and in the case of The Big Five, in solo numbers: Frank Oz gets landed with Jam, but does rather better as Miss Piggy singing Mad About The Frog, a hilarious pastiche of Noel Coward’s Mad About The Boy, and incidentally, especially for someone who was not much of a singer, does it rather well, I particularly like the lyric about him loving her foolish heart “with every little seam”. Another muppeteer who also, at that time, at least, was not noted for his singing abilities, is Dave Goelz, yet, as Gonzo, he makes a jolly good job of Jamboree. Perhaps showing that by this time (3 years into the run of The Muppet Show) he was beginning to gain a few singing skills, and after all, he is not without showbusiness talent! Jim Henson also manages more than satisfactorily on his two solos Eight Little Notes and Magic Garden. The latter is particularly nice, because he sings it with such genuine feeling. Jim Henson and Richard Hunt acquit themselves passably with a very Muppet, or should that be very Stadler and Waldof, version of It Was A Very Good Year. In fact, given that it is sung by those two, the number does have a certain poignancy. Richard Hunt comes into his own as Wayne singing Dog Walk, which he sings very well, and I do not think the song would really have been all that good if it had been sung by anyone else. But as usual with The Muppets, one of the great stars of the album (if there is one) is the wonderful Jerry Nelson. His Robin leading the cast with Frog Kissing is just glorious fun, precisely because it is a silly song, but extremely well executed, with talent and convincing conviction. Even better than this, however, is his Floyd, the hippest of the hip, performing While My Guitar Gently Weeps. As sung by Jerry Nelson (himself something of a guitar player) this song really is beautiful. He sings it with such simplicity and sincerity, he really does have a lovely voice, and this number is an excellent example of it.

My two favourite numbers on this album, which (as far as I am aware) have not so far appeared on any other muppet album are: Blue Skies and Henrietta’s Wedding. Irving Berlin’s wonderful hit Blue Skies responds well to the muppet treatment it gets from The Prairie Dogs. All of the muppeteers who sing on it make an excellent job of it. Several muppet fans have highlighted Kathy Mullen’s performance, which, I must admit is a pretty good one, however, good though it is, I must confess that the first few times I heard the song, I didn’t actually notice her, because I was too busy listening to “Her English counterpart”. This number is jam packed full of muppeteers, in a variety of voices, among them, as one would expect, is Louise Gold, who appears to be doing a remarkable imitation of the lead backing singer from when Alice Faye sang Blue Skies in the film Alexander’s Ragtime Band. It is perhaps the first time, on a record, that Miss Gold displayed her extraordinary gift for sounding uncannily like Ethel Merman. Henrietta’s Wedding is a fantastic number, primarily because it is a wonderful opportunity for a duet by those wonderful Muppet singers Jerry Nelson and Louise Gold, they are very possibly the best singing double act The Muppets have ever had. They are at their best when they are basically being more or less themselves, as on this number, performing their Jug-band characters Jerry and Lou (who are also named after them), a similar effect occurred many years later when they performed Herry and Louisey on Sesame Street. Jerry Nelson proves on this number, that he is one of the very few people who can sing a duet with Louise Gold without getting overshadowed by her, in fact, even more amazingly he almost overshadows her! Both singers get to display their obvious talents and, well, it just makes one wish for an album of Jerry and Louise’s duets.

All in all this one terrific Muppet Show album. It is full of music, and some spectacular singing talents. In fact it really well and truly shows off the individual and collective singing talents of The Muppet Show Eight. It also includes several numbers not often heard on Muppet recordings, and two of them, Blue Skies and Henrietta’s Wedding, really should be heard that much more, because they are just as good, if not better, than those Muppet Show songs that feature all the time. However, this album is hard to get, so for that reason it is only really for the serious collector (of either Muppet albums, or, albums featuring any of the eight muppeteers). However, if it were not so difficult to come by, I would thoroughly recommend it.

Links about Muppet Show Music Album

 Muppet Wiki’s page for this album: http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Muppet_Show_Music_Album

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