My Son the Folk Singer

I grew up with Allan Sherman's silly songs and Bill Cosby's storytelling standup. Although I didn't have this album (Allan's first) until the 1980s, I had the later two and memorized the lyrics to many of the songs. "Folk Singer" was a sensation in its time and had the distinction of knocking Vaughn Meader's "First Family" off the top of the charts. Alas Meader's fortunes faded after JFK's assassination and Sherman's followed after. I'm reading a new bio, and it seems Mr. Sherman - who came across as a bit of a square in the 60s, appealing to parents more than kids - had more in common with John Belushi than some of the other squares of the era. The three "My Son" albums (Folk Singer, Celebrity, and Nut) are essential Sherman.

My family had the record album in the 60's and got a lot of laughs from it.

This CD replaces the vinyl album I purchased in 1962. (It still plays, with a few minor pops but my "better" receiver has no hook-up for a turntable...) Sherman is the best of the parodists; a one of a kind character who died too young. A fun way to hear a bit of Yiddish, too.

Allan Sherman's My Son the Folksinger deserves 5 stars, but this version rates only 4, because it's not complete! Due apparently to copyright problems, Seltzer Boy is not included! What is included is excellent, and the sound quality is very good. This was Allan Sherman's first album, and he's at his best here. To clarify, the cd of Folk Singer reviewed here is on the Hallmark label, selling on Amazon for $6.99 and under.

If you are a senior citizen then this album will certainly bring back some laughable memories. How can anyone not laugh at "Shake hands with your uncle Max my son" and all of the other melodies! It was worth the price and priceless as far as going down memory lane!They just don't record songs like this any longer!

This, I believe, was Allan Sherman's first album. It's among the most unapologetically Yiddish of his output and one of his funniest. If it can make this goy laugh over fifty years after its original release, it must have done a lot of things right.

As a kid in the 60's I grew up listening to this record. Although the record cover was different, the one with him standing on a pedestal with the girl in the background, the music is the same. For me this is a must have, the others I'm still trying to get a handle on.

The album is full of well thought out humor, with a strong feeling of when and by who it was made. The early 60's referances are impossible to miss, as well as the borscht belt humor.

I have always been happy with the CDs I have ordered from amazon UK... until now. There are two major problems with this album. First, it is in mono, not stereo, yet the same tracks which are on "My Son, the Greatest" compilation are in stereo, and "My Zelda" is available on Youtube in stereo. Second, "Seltzer Boy" is missing from the CD, although it is listed on Amazon's blurb as being on the CD. In addition, "The Ballad of Harry Lewis" is listed on the CD as "The Ballad of Henry Lewis". There are absolutely no liner notes to accompany this album. This is a sloppy production from Hallmark, who should be ashamed of themselves.

Interesting, but not one of his greatest offerings. I wanted it to share with a friend who is a great fan, but I won't bother him with it.