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A collection of pop music parodies, presented as an issue of the magazine (“Music Issue”). It appears to have been produced just before many of the cast members and writers of the recently ended National Lampoon Radio Hour joined Saturday Night Live in the fall of 1974, although the album was released in 1975. This would be the last time many of them worked for the Lampoon, ending an era that started with Radio Dinner just two years earlier, and coinciding with the departure of founders Doug Kenney and Henry Beard and art director Michael Gross, whose new studio with David Kaestle is credited on the album.

Includes full lyrics on the inside record sleeve.

Contents

SIDE ONE

Roger De Swanns Intro / Good-bye, Pop Elton John parody. Christopher Guest (De Swanns), Paul Shaffer (vocals, piano, organ, percussion), Paul Jacobs (guitars, pedal steel), Michael Brecker (tenor sax), Richard Crooks (drums), Christopher Guest (bass), Jimmy Maelen (conga). Music by Paul Shaffer, lyrics by Sean Kelly.

The Mel Brewer Show (Whaling Song) Bill Murray (late night FM DJ Mel Brewer) and Christopher Guest (record promoter Ron Fields).

Down the Dial To: Kung Fu Christmas Motown Parody. Gilda Radner and Christopher Guest (as radio listeners), David Huron (lead vocal), Sammy Turner, J.R. Bailey, Ken Williams, and Susan Collins (backup vocals), Paul Jacobs, Kiev Ginsberg (guitars), Paul Shaffer (sleigh bells, piano), Russ Kunkel (drums), Christopher Guest (bass), Jimmy Maelen (conga), with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra under the musical direction of Paul Shaffer. Music by Paul Shaffer, lyrics by Brian Doyle-Murray.

A History of The Beatles Christopher Guest (Flash Bazbo, a.k.a., the fifth Beatle).

The B Side of Love Country/Western parody. Ken Kosek and Larry Packer (fiddle), Paul Shaffer (piano, Marc Horowitz (pedal steel), John Wall (drums), Paul Jacobs (bass), Christopher Guest (acoustic guitar, vocals), Kay Cole and Rhonda Coullet (backup vocals), Harold Ramis, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Judy Jacklin, and Tony Scheuren (back up noises). Music by Christopher Guest, lyrics by Sean Kelly.

I’m a Woman Helen Reddy (“I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar”) parody. Gilda Radner (vocals), Paul Jacobs (piano), Christopher Guest (bass), Bill Murray (manager, husband, and better half). Music by Paul Jacobs, lyrics by Sean Kelly.

SIDE TWO

A History of Neil Young Windy Craig (announcer), Christopher Guest (Flash Bazbo).

Southern California Brings Me Down Tony Scheuren (lead and backup vocals, guitar), Ben Fried (bass), Richard Crooks (drums), Marc Horowitz (pedal steel), Paul Jacobs (lead guitar). Music and lyrics by Tony Scheuren.

Roger Raps with Sid About: Art Rock Suite Christopher Guest (Roger De Swanns, Sid Gormless), Christopher Guest (guitar and vocals), Paul Jacobs (guitar, vocals, bass, and piano), Paul Shaffer (bass, piano, and Arp synthesizer), Richard Crooks (drums), Bob Tischler (sound effects). Music and lyrics by Christopher Guest, Paul Jacobs, and Paul Shaffer, some lyrics by Sean Kelly.

The Return of Ron Fields Bill Murray (Mel Brewer), Christopher Guest (Ron Fields).

Down to Jamaica Christopher Guest (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, mouth harp), Paul Shaffer (bass, organ), Paul Jacobs (lead guitar), Richard Crooks (drums), Peter Kaminsky (phone). Music by Christopher Guest, lyrics by Sean Kelly.

CREDITS

Our special thanks, and they know why, to Dan Aykroyd, Diana Feldman, Tony Hendra, Rupert Holmes, Janis Hirsch, Juan Marquez, Alice Playten, Jerry Taylor, Loudon Wainwright, John Weidman, and the Dover, home of the Comb.

This album was written and performed by the National Lampoon music and humor commune, working as a closely knit unit. Paul Shaffer and Paul Jacobs would just like to add that they helped Guest a little with th music in the middle part of “The B Side of Love.” Guest says, oh yeah, well, he wrote some of the words to “Kung Fu Christmas.” Jacobs says, anyway, he played more lead guitar on “Art Rock Suite” than Chris did, but Shaffer says the bridge part of “Good-buy, Pop” wan’t all that important, and fuck you, Jacobs. Sean Kelly can be reached ℅ General Delivery, the Arran Islands.

Sean Kelly, Issue Editor. Bob Tischler, Producer, Engineer (except “Good-bye, Pop” and “Kung Fu Christmas,” co-produced with Paul Shaffer). Judy Jacklin, Associate Producer. Karen Wegner, Copy Editor. John Hechtman, Studio Manager. Art Direction: Pellegrini, Kaestle and Gross, Inc. Front and back photos: Arky & Barrett. Sleeve photo: Pedar Ness. Styling: Laura Singer. Flowers: Third Avenue Greenery. Guitar Case: Terminal Music.

Recorded and mixed at Studio 21 Sound, New York, N.Y.