Tom Lehrer
Posted by: Tam on 18 June 2006
Prompted by ROTF on another thread, I thought I'd start one for the great satirist (whose talents are sorely missed these days, and, indeed, since he went into retirement as a writer of satirical songs, following Kissinger's Nobel prize, after which he declared satire dead, and that there was nothing funny left to say).
Lehrer had a remarkable range, whether it be his political songs or his treatment of modern teaching methods - his 'New Math' greatly amused me and my fellows when I did my teacher training a couple of years back (and it is remarkable that some 30 years after it was written it has lost none of its bite - indeed, in other regards the topicality of his songs, such has the nuclear proliferation themed 'who's next' is quite terrifying). Then there is the insanity of songs like Poisoning Pigeons in the Park.
However, what is especially impressive, for me, about Lehrer is the way his razor sharp wit mixes with musical knowledge. Take, for example, Clementine where he rewrites the song in a variety of styles (from that of Mozart, to Cole Porter and even Gilbert and Sullivan). Then there is the cleverness of his rhymes (in particular the way he has words straddle lines in order to make them work).
As I say, an absolute genius whose work should be represented in every respectable CD library. And there is no better way to start than this:
regards, Tam
Lehrer had a remarkable range, whether it be his political songs or his treatment of modern teaching methods - his 'New Math' greatly amused me and my fellows when I did my teacher training a couple of years back (and it is remarkable that some 30 years after it was written it has lost none of its bite - indeed, in other regards the topicality of his songs, such has the nuclear proliferation themed 'who's next' is quite terrifying). Then there is the insanity of songs like Poisoning Pigeons in the Park.
However, what is especially impressive, for me, about Lehrer is the way his razor sharp wit mixes with musical knowledge. Take, for example, Clementine where he rewrites the song in a variety of styles (from that of Mozart, to Cole Porter and even Gilbert and Sullivan). Then there is the cleverness of his rhymes (in particular the way he has words straddle lines in order to make them work).
As I say, an absolute genius whose work should be represented in every respectable CD library. And there is no better way to start than this:
regards, Tam
Dear Tam
I first heard a Tom Lehrer song on the Marty Feldman Show when Derek Griffiths sung a version of Pollution. I then listened out for more songs by Lehrer. I was familiar with his The Elements song, but didn't realise it was Lehrer until much later when I saw the Robin Ray and Cameron Mackintosh production Tom Foolery.
I bought and still have the soundtrack album and it is a superb recording.
The original Lehrer version of The Elements is here. There is also a flash animated version here, you need to click Broadband to make it work. It is the version from An Evening Wasted With Tom Lehrer (was ever a collection of songs less aptly titled).
When I was at University back in '70s, there was a folk club and one girl used to play and sing regularly, but she only knew one song: Lehrer's Folk Song, and again it was some years after that I discovered its origins.
When The Remains of Tom Lehrer came out, it was a bargain too good to miss. There is duplication, but it is still great value. It may be possible to get the indvidual albums cheaper, but the box set is very well presented.
Graeme Cree's web site (here) contains a collection of song lyrics for all known Tom Lehrer songs, (accompanied when possible, with MIDI sound files). It is also informative.
Thank you for initiating a thread on Tom Lehrer, a unique talent.
Kind regards, Rotf
I first heard a Tom Lehrer song on the Marty Feldman Show when Derek Griffiths sung a version of Pollution. I then listened out for more songs by Lehrer. I was familiar with his The Elements song, but didn't realise it was Lehrer until much later when I saw the Robin Ray and Cameron Mackintosh production Tom Foolery.
I bought and still have the soundtrack album and it is a superb recording.
The original Lehrer version of The Elements is here. There is also a flash animated version here, you need to click Broadband to make it work. It is the version from An Evening Wasted With Tom Lehrer (was ever a collection of songs less aptly titled).
When I was at University back in '70s, there was a folk club and one girl used to play and sing regularly, but she only knew one song: Lehrer's Folk Song, and again it was some years after that I discovered its origins.
When The Remains of Tom Lehrer came out, it was a bargain too good to miss. There is duplication, but it is still great value. It may be possible to get the indvidual albums cheaper, but the box set is very well presented.
Graeme Cree's web site (here) contains a collection of song lyrics for all known Tom Lehrer songs, (accompanied when possible, with MIDI sound files). It is also informative.
Thank you for initiating a thread on Tom Lehrer, a unique talent.
Kind regards, Rotf