The Muppets – Music, Mayhem and More: The 25th Anniversary Collection
(Rhino)

First off, I’ll say now, the new Muppet Christmas movie sucked. Hard. It was embarrassing watching a special that found it necessary to cut Snoop Dogg from the program because he made a porno movie, yet felt it was okay to feature Miss Piggy portraying the whore role of Moulin Rouge (or as they called it “Moulin Scrooge”). But anyway…

It was with great excitement that I learned of this collection’s release. The Muppets have played a very important role of my young life, and still do today. I’ve got all the movies and specials, and Kermit the Frog stands tall in my room in all his plush glory, and all those McDonalds Muppet Babies toys are lying around somewhere…

The 25th anniversary collection is divided into two sections really. The first half of the disc features themes and music from the original Muppet Show, and the second half is music from their major movie releases the Muppet Movie, Muppet Caper, Muppets Take Manhattan, Christmas Carol, Treasure Island, and Muppets in Space. Most of these songs are already very familiar to me, as when I was around 8 I had a 4 LP set of all these songs from the show, movies, and also Fraggle Rock and Sesame Street. The Muppet Show songs are a little less familiar though, the show not having been run anywhere in syndication in some time. Some of course, are unforgettable, such as “Mahna Mahna” sung by a strange muppet of the same name, and Scooter’s “There’s a New Sound” which I remember was accompanied by a bunch of bizarre images in the background on the show – probably inspired by a bad acid trip. In between songs are some banter from the gang, as well as a Fozzie skit with Kermit, the very funny “Good Grief the Comedians a Bear!” sketch. Also there is commentary from Statler and Waldorf, the two old geezers from the balcony.

The song selections from the movies includes such favorites as “Happiness Hotel”, Gonzo’s “I’m Going to Go Back There Someday” (a new version recorded for the Muppets From Space soundtrack), “Moving Right Along” and of course, “The Rainbow Connection”, which is probably the best Muppet song ever. Each selection on this disc is worthy, some of which are originals, some of which are actually really, really old songs that Jim Henson enjoyed and had originally planned for a different series before the Muppet Show began.

Another treat is the very detailed liner notes about the Muppets’ history, although these notes never wander off from the subject matter of the songs and songwriters themselves. Other Jim Henson shows, projects and specials are not mentioned at all.

The only objection I can make to this disc is the songs that have been left out. Sure, the Muppaphone sketch, the Electric Mayhem’s “Tenderly” and Wayne and Wanda are pretty funny, but wheres Sam the Eagle’s “Tit Willow” and the Swedish Chef theme? How come the saddest Muppet song ever, “Saying Goodbye”, doesn’t get released? And why not include a song or two from Muppet Family Christmas (the best Muppet holiday treat to date)? This release has me yearning for a second volume of goodies, as there really is so much more to dig up. Also, a DVD release featuring each of the tracks would be awesome. I just might have to start one of those stupid online petitions.

Pick this one up for the holidays, and while you’re at it, search out the John Denver and the Muppets Christmas album (or dig up the LP, as the new release cuts Rowlf’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”). You’ll be glad you did. – Goon

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