The Furry Four
Finally after all these years we have an answer to one of the great riddles of the '60s, the resolution to the mystery at the center of the Magical Mystery Tour: the "Walrus" wasn't John or Paul; he was Elmer Fudd. In this droll pop parody, a quartet of cartoon cutups mimics the Beatles. The Looney Tunes Liverpudlians are Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer and Taz (as, loosely, Paul, John, George and Ringo).
For the most part, the collection is made up of early-era Lennon-McCartney tunes, with Bugs singing the lead and Daffy providing juicy, tremolo-rich harmonies. But the solo and guest turns are the most fun, for instance Elmer's yearning rendition of "The Fool on the Hill." Yosemite Sam drops by for a blustering version of "Help!" that makes the title refrain sound a lot more like a command than an entreaty.
The concept is funnier than the execution. In large part, that's because of all the weak gags and corny dialogue shoehorned in between the actual lyrics. Even though this album turned out like bad karaoke, it introduces an idea with intriguing possibilities. I can't wait for Porky Does Pearl Jam or Foghorn Leghorn Interprets the Naughty by Nature Songbook. (Kid Rhino)
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