You Don't Have To Be Jewish

from a wonderful, but sadly, out of print album
from http://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Youre-Whole-World-Studio/dp/B0000032W1
Bob Booker was a master of the seemingly lost art of the sketch comedy album; he was one of the writers behind the smash hit Kennedy parody disc The First Family, and several years later he teamed up with George Foster to create You Don't Have To Be Jewish, a collection of blackout bits and extended one-liners which poked fun at the absurdities of American Jewish culture. Like The First Family, You Don't Have To Be Jewish was recorded in a studio with a live audience in attendance, as a cast of actors performed scripted material much in the manner of a radio play. While You Don't Have To Be Jewish wasn't going to win any awards for originality even in 1965 ? many of these jokes were already antiques by that point ? and some of this material sounds a bit less than P.C. in the 21st Century (especially the persistent presence of the Nagging Jewish Mother), for the most part the album is funny stuff and far too good-hearted to offend anyone. Booker and Foster had the good judgment to assemble a superb cast for this recording, and they transform what could have been ordinary Catskill shtick into something memorable; the performers include Lou Jacobi, Jack Gilford, Betty Walker and Joe Silver, and their expert timing and feel for their characters is impeccable. You Don't Have To Be Jewish is a fine sampling of classic Borscht Belt humor (blended with a bit of like-minded new material) performed by a top-notch cast, and like the title says, you don't have to be of the Semitic faith to enjoy it ? though it couldn't hurt.
The two tracks here are:
Reading of the Will - Jack Gilford, Arlene Golonka, Lou Jacobi, Jackie Kannon, Betty Walker
Housewarming - Jack Gilford, Arlene Golonka, Betty Walker

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• jack
• gilford

[irismcooper]

Too funny Knickerbockervillage. Nothing like Jewish humor. I have the album which I purchased many years ago. Thanks for posting it. I love "To my daugher Jane spelled with a

"Y." Thanks for posting it.

Hello Louie.

Iris Rosenberg-Cooper from the D.C. Area

[212Hope]

So happy I just stumbled on this....ohmigod, it's hilarious! Some humor is completely timeless!!!!!! Thanks for posting.

[drmikempa]

Oy vey!

[allaboutdatGDA]

oy, i'm having a great laugh.

[PutOnASweater]

@Lorib16 this album and the followup , "When You're In Love The Whole World Is Jewish" are available on 1 CD at Hatikvah Music...do a google search on Hatikvah Music and you'll find their web site.

[Lorib16]

Never heard the entire album, but sure would love to....

[RebeccaJaneF]

my dad had this record..we used to laugh so much listening to this in the 70's

Thanks

[Starcastle2009]

I worked for Bob Booker, what a funny guy!

[TEMPmichaelhansen]

wrong cover

i got a copy for only one dollar

[PutOnASweater]

Though this album is out of print....you find the CD at Hatikvah Music....they're on line!