Dope Humor of the Seventies explained

Dope Humor of the Seventies
Type:	compilation
Artist:	The Firesign Theatre
Cover:	Fireesign Theatre - Dope Humor of the Seventies cover.jpg
Released:	November 2020
Recorded:	February 1970 to March 1972
Genre:	Comedy
Label:	Stand Up!
Prev Title:	Duke of Madness Motors
Prev Year:	2011

Dope Humor of the Seventies is a compilation album by the Firesign Theatre, released by Stand Up! Records in November 2020.

Background

A sequel to the Dear Friends album, it consists of short, highly improvisational sketches distilled from the 80-hour archive set Duke of Madness Motors, originally recorded from 1970 to 1972 as part of the group's nationally syndicated Dear Friends radio show.^{[1] [2] [3]} The album was released on vinyl and digital formats,^[4] and includes liner notes with an archive of handwritten scripts and other material from the era.^{[5] [6]}

Reaction from members

Firesign member David Ossman called Dope Humor a sort of "dark side" to the Dear Friends album, since both were compiled from the same source, but the sketches on Dope Humor had not been constrained by the desire to keep the material radio-friendly, as had been the case for Dear Friends.^[7] Phil Proctor called it a tribute to late founding members Phil Austin and Peter Bergman.^[5]

Reception

Mark Lynch, host of the WICN radio program Inquiry, praised the album as "wicked funny" and said that the humor was both a snapshot of its era and surprisingly timely in the modern era.^[8] Rich Kimball of Bangor, Maine radio station WZON said the album was full of "lost gems" that still seemed resonant: "So much of it holds up ... I feel like I could hear it on some cable news networks today and it would fit right in."^[7]

Track listing

Side one

1. "Shakespeare Sunday Sunday" – 0:51
2. "Pig Science" – 3:15
3. "Truth & Consequences" – 4:28
4. "Clayton Rumcake" – 2:34
5. "Mary Warner" – 1:48
6. "Hawaii" – 2:18
7. "Jesus' Ascension Into Bakersfield" – 2:32
8. "Timmy's Birthday" – 3:11

Side two

1. "Sex Jail!" – 1:14
2. "Rules" – 1:12
3. "Drug Abuse Expert" – 1:56
4. "Pluto Water" – 5:48
5. "Bluff" – 3:03
6. "Smoke Spud" – 0:55
7. "Vince Tomaine's Leg-o-the-Crow" – 1:43
8. "Bob Dog Dog & Dog Hot Dog Son & Foot Tires" – 1:05
9. "Fiji" – 3:43

Side three

1. "Speed Kills" – 0:31
2. "Funny-Name Club Of America" – 1:45
3. "Family Bund Meeting" – 3:32
4. "The Diaphragm" – 3:36
5. "A Girl Named Bradley" – 1:44
6. "The Money Song" – 0:52
7. "Multiple Identity" – 2:19
8. "Radio Prison In Peace And War" – 6:10

Side four

1. "Louis Marshman Editorial" – 3:32
2. "The Darkening Of The Light" – 1:03
3. "Railroad Sunrise" – 2:41
4. "Trashman Rap" – 1:16
5. "Channel 18 News" – 3:18
6. "Dope Humor Of The Seventies" – 1:50
7. "K's Mart" – 1:50
8. "Bird Of Prey Motors" – 1:21
9. "Loons" – 3:22^[9]

Notes and References

1. Dope Humor of the Seventies . . 2020 . booklet . .
2. News: 2020-10-23 . TVD Radar: The Firesign Theatre, Dope Humor of the Seventies 2-LP in stores 11/27 . The Vinyl District . 2021-01-10 .
3. Web site: Phil Proctor and David Ossman of Firesign Theater talk Dope Humor of the Seventies . Buss . Andrew . December 1, 2020 . The Laugh Button . 2021-01-10.
4. Special Segments: Dope Humor of the Seventies . Sound Affects: A Radio Playground . . Jerry Stearns . 2020-11-22 . 2021-01-10 .
5. Phil Proctor and David Ossman on Firesign Theatre's Return with "Dope Humor of the Seventies" on Vinyl . Hail Satire! . November 18, 2020 . 2021-01-09 .
6. Episode 353 – David Ossman of The Firesign Theatre . Comedy on Vinyl . Jason Klamm . December 4, 2020 . 2021-01-09 .
7. David Ossman 11.25.20 . Downtown With Rich Kimball . WZON AM 620 . Rich Kimball . 2020-11-25 . 2021-01-10 .
8. David Ossman . Inquiry . WICN Public Radio . Mark Lynch . 2020-12-03 . 2021-01-10 .
9. Web site: The Firesign Theatre – Dope Humor of the Seventies . Discogs . 2021-01-19.