Joe Barbera Dies

Harry McCracken has quite an acerbic take on the passing of Joseph Barbera, the more creative half of the Hanna-Barbera animation partnership formed way back in 1939.

My memories of watching the early Hanna-Barbera stuff are a little rosier... maybe when I have some more time, I'll share....

Scott Bradley Emerges From Carl Stalling's Shadow

Jerry Beck tipped me off to this CD release of Scott Bradley scores from M-G-M cartoons of the 1950's, and I immediately ordered a copy. It arrived a few days ago and I just finished listening to this massive 2-CD set. The sound quality is sparkling throughout and it includes some of the better efforts by Bradley of the period, including the funny "Pecos Pest" score featuring Shug Fisher (former member of the Sons of the Pioneers) singing for Uncle Pecos, the mouse guitar genius who always seems to be breaking strings... and looks no further than Tom's whiskers for new ones. Some of Tex Avery and Michael Lah's cartoons are also represented here. This was well worth the money!

With only 3000 copies of the CD pressed, you better act fast if you have any interest at all in cartoon music and you want this in your library.