Homer and Jethro: Assault the Rock n' Roll Era (Bear Family BCD 16857 AR)

WHEN it comes to the comic side of country names the likes of Jeff Foxworthy, Ray Stevens and the inimitable Roger Miller rate as some who took a zany look at the world.

Miller's You Can't Rollerskate In A Buffalo Herd along with Stevens' The Streak are absolute classics of their time.

In the late 1940s through to the 1960s the comedy came in the shape of Homer and Jethro (Homer Haynes and Jethro Burns).

Arguably the most successful of country's comedy duos they became the masters of parody of well-known songs.

A new release brings together some of those deconstructed hits like Hey Good Lookin, Oh Lonesome Me and Sixteen Tons.

The Beatles didn't escape the slaughter with the Homer and Jethro send-up of She Loves You and I Wanna Hold Your Hand.

Accompanied by great guitar work from Hank Garland, Grady Martin and Chet Atkins there is good muscianship throughout.

The 73-minute release comes in a colourful digipack with a 64-page booklet featuring photographs, lyrics and discography.

It sounds a fascinating glimpse into a fun-filled past.