It Came From the ‘70s: Lenny and the Squigtones
The 1970s were a weird, weird time. It’s one of the reasons I have such a fascination with that decade. This is the first of three posts I’m going to do on novelty albums from the ‘70s, all three based on TV shows from producer Garry Marshall. And this first one is, IMHO, the most palatable of the three.
Lenny and Squiggy Present Lenny and the Squigtones is played for laughs. Recorded in front of a live audience and released in 1979, the album features Michael McKean and David Lander in character as Lenny and Squiggy from Laverne and Shirley. Several times on that series they performed as Lenny and the Squigtones, and this time they’re joined by a drummer and by future Spinal Tap guitarist Christopher Guest. Included here is the track Night After Night which had been performed by the duo on the show during a Shotz Brewery talent show. But it’s not just music. The album also contains comedy bits that are interactions between Lenny and Squiggy.
I gotta admit: this one ain’t bad, and the reason why is that it doesn’t take itself seriously. It’s meant to be comedy, it’s meant to be funny, and for the most part it is. If you like the show, and like these characters, that’s what you’re getting here, so you’ll probably like this album. Sadly, it’s out of print, but if you go looking for it you’re sure to find it.
The other two albums I’ll be discussing aren’t near the quality of this one. Be afraid.
Lenny and Squiggy Present Lenny and the Squigtones is played for laughs. Recorded in front of a live audience and released in 1979, the album features Michael McKean and David Lander in character as Lenny and Squiggy from Laverne and Shirley. Several times on that series they performed as Lenny and the Squigtones, and this time they’re joined by a drummer and by future Spinal Tap guitarist Christopher Guest. Included here is the track Night After Night which had been performed by the duo on the show during a Shotz Brewery talent show. But it’s not just music. The album also contains comedy bits that are interactions between Lenny and Squiggy.
I gotta admit: this one ain’t bad, and the reason why is that it doesn’t take itself seriously. It’s meant to be comedy, it’s meant to be funny, and for the most part it is. If you like the show, and like these characters, that’s what you’re getting here, so you’ll probably like this album. Sadly, it’s out of print, but if you go looking for it you’re sure to find it.
The other two albums I’ll be discussing aren’t near the quality of this one. Be afraid.
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