Christmas in The World of Wonder: Christmas Jug Band Music

One of my best friends and fellow Creamed Corn member, Tim Minoudis, is currently manning the guitar/bass chair for the Goodspeed Opera House's premiere of Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas which opened last week and is playing through the holidays. I'm really happy for him that he's doing that but I have to admit, I am really jealous and wish I could be on that gig as well. He called me two weeks ago to tell me he was out drinking with Paul Williams who wrote all of the music for the show. Again, really jealous. I am getting to see it next Tuesday when I fly home for the holiday and can't wait. I've always loved Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas ever since I first saw it when it premiered on HBO back in the 70s. My wife loves it just as much and we make sure that we watch it every year! Here's the soundtrack to the original special. Obviously it's not "official" but it is still the soundtrack and features some great tunes including the classic, "When The River Meets The Sea". Here it is for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!

Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas OST (boot)

It's time for Kiddie Gangsters!

Here's the second "Gangland" related post to share with you after my little stint in Chicago. This time around it's the soundtrack from that classic cult film, "Bugsy Malone". Bugsy Malone is a 1976 musical film, very loosely based on events in Chicago's Prohibition era, specifically, the exploits of gangsters like Al Capone. Interestingly enough, Al Capone's biggest rival (and actual target of the infamous Saint Valentine's Day Massacre. Who, I might add, got away from that) was a guy named "Bugs" Moran. Even though the film is called "Bugsy", it tends to lean towards the Capone story instead of Moran. The plot concerns the manufacture of a brand of custard, which is used first in cream-topped pies (being hit with one in the face "kills" the character) then later in "splurge guns" that enable the dessert to be deployed on an unprecedented level. The musical centers on Fat Sam's Grand Slam speakeasy.The tongue-in-cheek movie stars children as the gangsters and their molls, toning down the subject matter sufficiently to receive a "G" rating. Written and directed by Alan Parker produced by Alan Marshall with executive producer David Puttnam, the film stars Scott Baio as the title character, with Jodie Foster in the role of Fat Sam's moll Tallulah. The music and lyrics are by singer-songwriter Paul Williams. All the songs on the soundtrack were actually performed by adults, including Williams himself, in his unmistakable high-pitched voice, and lip-synched by the cast. Here for you now is that famous soundtrack. Enjoy!

Bugsy Malone OST